Simple To Understand Chart Explains Windows Licensing Requirements

Microsoft has taken that page from the tax code of the United States, and ‘baffle them with Bandini’ has become the phrase of the day.

The ZDNet piece provoked more than the usual firestorm on that. I left a message myself, as I had, the same day it was written, earlier written here that doing a dual boot, for people with XP and Windows 7, would allow the gradual adjustment for the user, as well as a way to see if everything the person needs to have work under 7 does.

Bott shot back (and correctly, according to MS) that if the Windows 7 version was an upgrade the XP could only be used for 30 days. I believe that is very limiting, and shows that Microsoft doesn’t really have the customer’s needs anywhere near the top of the list of things they worry about. (With the way they speak of the improvement in the Genuine (dis)Advantage program, it should not really be a problem insofar as real piracy is concerned. Also, I don’t believe that too many people will be dual booting for a great deal of time, under any circumstances, it becomes tedious for people like us after a while. I ca’n't see Avg Joe doing it for a long period. Microsoft, with their intense usability studies should know that)

I think 90 days would be a better marker, as I know that many people I work with can’t make that change in their minds completely in only 30 days.

So to get this straight, if I’m running Vista home premium and want to clean install (go in wipe my drive and install) rather than their custom install option, this isn’t permitted?

Hello Zachary,
It you have a computer that came pre-installed with Vista from a OEM, I personally would call the OEM and ask.

If you purchase a full retail version you can do anything you want. IMHO.

Alright thanks