Software Licensing & Product Keys

[xerodok]

Here are a few questions that I can never get straight answers for; these are all from a business point of view.

a. When you purchase, for example, a laptop from Dell. Most of the time you don't really get an option to not choose an OS. Ok, so now you have a Dell Windows XP Professional license, the product key is on the bottom of the laptop. That laptop breaks, it's not worth it to fix. You have that license. Can you [legally] use that product key on another system? Is it PCI compliant?

b. Microsoft Office Suite is purchased, product key is included. The product is installed onto a laptop, that laptop is then reformatted and decommissioned. That key is used on another device. Is that product key you purchased bound to that computer by law?

c. Why does Microsoft allow you to 'authenticate' a product key that's been used on multiple systems? (obviously this is not legal or compliant) How is that kept track of? Do you have the right to install it on multiple devices?

d. Some products require you to use the same disc to install onto another system, and require the original product key. For example; Microsoft Office 2007. [Pending an answer to a question above] I have the actual box for Office Suite 2007, I want to put it on a reformatted laptop. The product key has been used on god knows what other device in the company. I want to use the disc to install it onto the reformatted laptop, but, it asks for the product key that came with it. How are you supposed to reinstall it.. keep all the stupid CDs laying around, doesn't make sense.

Sorry for the random and in-depth questions, I want to get some concrete answers. Any response is welcome.

[Isiolia]

There are different versions of those licenses. The OS license you get with a Dell laptop is an OEM license, which is restricted in that it cannot be transferred to another machine. In your first case, no, you cannot move that product key to another system (read the last paragraph here for example). This is the same for Office licenses AFAIK.

A full retail license does allow for you to transfer it to another machine, but it can only usually be activated on one at a time. It's basing it on a code generated from your hardware profile.

That said, from a business point of view, you'd more likely move to Volume Licensing if you had more than even a handful of employees. What I've seen with that (campus licensing in my case) is that you use the same product key on all your machines, making things a lot simpler.

[xerodok]

That is mostly what I've been assuming. My company that I'm currently at does volume licensing for certain things and other things they do not (i.e. Microsoft Office and some versions of Windows). I have no way of finding out if they are OEM or actual full retail versions. Microsoft makes it even more difficult by authenticating those licenses on multiple machines. I'd much rather it come up with some kind of error message and say, 'this software may be being used on another system already.'

Also, you can't buy anything less than Windows 7 or Office 2010 irc, making things even more frustrating.

[Cephius]

Yeah, volume licensing is the way to go. Microsoft (or whoever) will issue you one key that is good for x number of machines. It's not exactly strict (you're expected to keep track of it, if you register too many times and capture Microsoft's attention they'll audit your company and possibly revoke licensing) but you can pretty much install on as many machines as you need to. Microsoft is not allowed to capture system-specific information from you, so they just count how many times the product key has been used to activate. But since a lot of companies reinstall software constantly, that x number of licenses usually isn't a hard cap.

Also strictly speaking, OEM keys cannot be reused, but if you use the OEM key on a separate system and call in to validate the key, chances are the automated system will let you activate it. Not exactly legal, but I've never heard of Microsoft kicking up a fuss over it either.

[Isiolia]

If you're running Volume Licensing, that should include downgrade rights anyway. No real reason that you'd need to maintain odd licenses for old versions (unless they're really old I guess).

As per the technical brief here.

Windows

Can I downgrade my OEM version of Windows 7 Professional to Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Professional?
Yes. OEM versions of Windows 7 Professional may be downgraded to either Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Professional. Similar end user downgrade rights are provided for the following Windows operating systems pre-installed on a new PC (OEM versions):
• Windows 7 Professional Edition
• Windows 7 Ultimate Edition
• Windows Vista Business Edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
Your ability to downgrade to a prior version of Windows is stated in the License Terms for these products. You can use the following media for your downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), retail (FPP), or OEM (which includes system builder hologram CD, provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows 7 or Windows Vista License Terms for the original product pre-installed on the PC. You cannot use both the licensed Windows product and the downgrade product - only one Windows product can be used at a time. There are no downgrade rights granted for Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, or Windows 7 Home Premium.

Office

I have Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010. What can I downgrade to?
Downgrade rights in Volume Licensing programs provide you with the right to downgrade to any prior version of the same product. Therefore, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 can be downgraded to the Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Office Professional Enterprise 2003,Office Professional XP, Office Professional 2000, Office Professional 97, Office Professional 95, or Office Professional 4.3 versions. You cannot, however, downgrade to Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2007 as that is a different product and not considered a prior version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010.

In addition, Office Professional Plus 2010 users cannot use earlier versions of OneNote and Groove via downgrade rights, since these products are not part of earlier versions of the suite (i.e., OneNote 2007 and Groove 2007 are not included with Office Professional Plus 2007).