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General discussion

Windows 7 student edition

Dec 1, 2009 12:52AM PST

I bought Windows 7 home edition at the student price. My parents want me to put Windows 7 on the home computer also. I was wondering how many users I can use the key for. If i can only use the key for one user, do you think I can purchase another key from Microsoft at a discounted price?

Discussion is locked

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Only one
Dec 1, 2009 1:33AM PST

Only one, and if you installed it on your parent's system as well you would be violating the license agreement in two ways.

1: They most likely do not qualify for the reduced price student edition
2: You bought a SINGLE license, which means you can install and use it on a SINGLE system at any given time

If you wanted to install it ONLY on the system at your parent's place, that would be fine so long as you were there and using the system, but when you went back to school your parents would not be licensed to use that copy of Windows.

They're going to have to shell out the $200 for a copy of their own or make due with what they have. That's just how it is. If you install it on both systems, you'll likely find one won't activate, and Microsoft could revoke your license at their discretion.

So long story short: Don't do it.

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Windows 7
Dec 1, 2009 2:29AM PST

Jimmy has answered the question regarding multiple installs correctly. If your parents wish to install Windows 7 on their home PC and they are currently running Windows Vista or XP, they can purchase a Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade license for around $120.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

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Similar issue
Dec 2, 2009 9:51AM PST

Jeff,

I've built a new PC and from the beginning had Win 7 RC on it waiting for the final version. Then I bought the Student Discount version. As the download is going I've noticed that it's an upgrade only.

I've seen some posts saying I can upgrade from Win 7 RC with a clean install, which is fine. My question is: will I be able to do this in the future if I need to reinstall by installing the RC first and then Final?

I really hope I didn't just flush $30 down the drain...

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Upgrade versions....here's what I've found
Dec 2, 2009 6:42PM PST

In doing an upgrade from XP Pro to Win 7 Pro and even thought it was a clean installation, I could not use the old method of just having the XP CD as a qualifier. I had to attach a drive with an installed and activated copy of XP. This tells me that, if in the future I want or need to do another clean installation, I need to either keep this old hard drive in a safe place (and hope it still works) or re-install XP first. I'm not sure, however, if I'd be able to activate it again at a later date. So, the upgrade versions do come with risks and complications and make a good case for doing full hard drive images for backup purposes.

Now, I really don't know about the RC version and could not understand why MS would give it away free and then allow it as a qualifier for a reduced price upgrade. I paid for my XP Pro retail so it makes sense that MS would discount the upgrade but I don't see how a free RC would do the same unless you installed it as an XP Pro upgrade. In any event, you'd be in the same boat as I am with an upgrade version. You'd need to keep your qualifying installation of a previous version intact and available....my thoughts anyway but will be interested in hearing something official.

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Won't work
Dec 4, 2009 6:15AM PST

Sorry, but you cannot upgrade from the RC. If you were running Vista or XP before moving to RC you will need to backup your files, reinstall your previous OS and then perform the upgrade. If you weren't running a previous OS you will need to purchase the full version.

Cheers,
Tara