I want to buy a new laptop. Can I transfer the programs from my Dell desktop to the new laptop, things like Microsoft Office, Windows Media, etc., or do I need to buy this software again?
As with so many questions here, the answer starts with "it depends".
It depends on what you mean by "transfer", and it depends on what the license is for each of the software packages.
You may have to re-purchase some, but I'm guessing that for most, you won't.
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First let's define "transfer". If by that you mean "move" - removing the software from your old machine, and installing it on the new - then the answer is typically yes. As long as you have the original CDs to perform the install, or the original downloads, in the case of downloaded software, it's typically quite alright to install the software on your new machine, and delete it from your old.
All that simply relies on the fact that most (though not all) software is licensed to be installed and run on only one machine at a time. It doesn't matter what machine, just that there's only one.
Which leads us to the other possible definition of "transfer". If you mean "copy" - where you would keep your old machine and have the same software installed on both - then you need to check the terms of the license for the software you're talking about. Many, perhaps most, are per-machine. Others, however, are per-location, or per-person, or allow you to install on some fixed number of machines (perhaps 2 or 3), or keep it installed on a machine as "backup".
There are obviously many possibilities, many confusing possibilities, and the only real answer to staying totally legal is to check that license agreement for each software package.
Note also that this only applies to software that you've purchased and that isn't freely available. Windows Media Player, which you've asked about, is a free download, and you can install that on as many machines as you wish. Microsoft Office, even if pre-installed with your computer, is subject to licensing restrictions.
And in all cases, this is one another of the many reasons I strongly recommend you insist on installation CDs for all the software that comes with your machine. If you ever need to move, or reinstall to that same machine, you may simply be out of luck without the CDs. There are PC-to-PC settings and applications transfer utilities out there ... sometimes even drive imaging software can be used to perform this function ... but it doesn't always work reliably. The safest is always a clean install from the original media.
Related:
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Ask Leo! - I don't have an installation CD for Windows XP - what if I need one?
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Ask Leo! - How can I install hardware if I no longer have my Windows XP CD?
Article C2599 - March 21, 2006
How do I cancel a registration on one machine so that I may register it on my new machine? I don't have the other PC any more and I need Office 2007 Pro Plus on my new machine. How can I do that?
Posted by: Scott Weber at December 15, 2007 12:54 PMI have puchased a new pc and it has windows xp preinstalled I have the recovery cd but what other software do I need to load to make this a standard PC.
Regards
Posted by: Martin at January 8, 2008 6:34 AMMartin
I have an old computer with preinstalled Microsoft Office(so I don't have a CD).
I bought a new computer and I want to move MS Office on it(by that I mean that I don't care about keeping the copy on my old machine).
How could I do that?
Posted by: Mihnea at June 10, 2008 6:33 AMI have recently found a product that will move my software to a new PC very easily. No CD's or registration keys needed. I read a bunch of reviews and I ended up trying SoftRescue Pro (http://www.softrescue.com i think). I was very happy with it. You can copy specific software applications, email, internet bookmarks & settings, My Documents, file settings, and probably a bunch of other stuff.
It was simple to use. Install on old PC, click what you want to transfer and it will archive it all for you. Then in order to transfer the software to a new PC, install it on the new PC, click what you want to restore/install on your new PC and click the "restore" button. It does the rest for you. It claims to be able to rescue 85-95% of all software for people. Worked well for me.
Posted by: nate at October 6, 2008 11:39 PMI took a Microsoft Access Database from one old computer to a new computer and tried to print reports and Open report action canceled came up help
Posted by: Amy Carpenter at October 21, 2008 4:19 PMI tried coping files and settings using the MS system utility, from one old Averatec running XP to one new ASUS eee 1000 running XP. The problem I'm having is I can't get past copying the relevant files from the old system, because the old system doesn't have enough remaining disk space. I've deleted more than 3 GB of junk, the most that I can, and the MS file/settings transfer utility still runs out of disk, presumably building whatever catalog it needs to build to do the transfer. I run into this whether attempting a transfer via an 8 GB usb stick or an empty 40 GB USB external hard drive, so I assume the problem is NOT with the size of my transfer medium. And yes, I do (or rather, my wife does) want to preserve everything I can. So can I use the file transfer utility without burning up my remaining disk space (5 GN remain on a 37GB drive), or do I need to look for some other transfer method? Thanks.
Posted by: Khentiamentiu at November 12, 2008 10:40 AMLeo, I just purchased Microsoft Vista at Circuit City. When I went to install there was NO DVD and only one half of the product key. Circuit City will not reimburse me, or exchange for something else. Do you know of a way to get the software and install. Need the software/key legally. I have proof of purchase. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Sherri at February 16, 2009 3:11 AMHi Leo,
2 question on Microsoft Windows Professional XP & Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003. I have both of programs on my older computer, but want to remove it & install it on my newer computer. Both computers are generic's my husband built them. Can I transfer the program from one computer to the other or do I need to ask Microsoft for their permission? I am also a part time college student, so to buy a license or 2 more programs would be expensive for me.
Thank you.
Posted by: Maureen at March 14, 2009 10:09 PMalso purchased a new machine hp , question , I have family history in my old Aptiva in documents , but I have lost the vidio. ?? new monitor did not solve , where can I start to try and retrive this . direct connections between both computers? usb, ,or does this work. the old computer will still play music of discs. thanks Leo
Posted by: robert at March 24, 2009 11:35 AMI have just installed Microsofk office student on my laptop and and am able to load on 3 pc. I purchased a dell notebook and need now to load onto this computer, butI need to get from one computer to the other as there is no place to put the disc on the notebook ?
Posted by: Deb at August 16, 2009 4:21 AM