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Summary: Depending on the situation, the number of machines you can install a single copy of Microsoft Office on is unclear.
If you're moving from one computer to another, the answer is easy. But if you're adding an installation, the answer isn't quite as clear. • If you're moving your installation of Office (or Windows, or pretty much any licensed software package) from one machine to another, the answer is simply "yes". That means you plan to stop using the package on the old machine, and start using it on the new. No problems, no conflicts, and no questions. About the worst this scenario might get is with over-aggressive anti piracy techniques that might require you to contact the software's manufacturer to verify that you're moving, and not copying, the installation in order for its activation to succeed. On the surface, copying is also simple: it's illegal. Regardless of whether the application can be installed on another machine, and whether or not it works, most software license are "single seat"; meaning that you're allowed to have the software installed on only one machine at a time. In practice things get just a little grayer than that, though. Some software publishers have license agreements that state you may install on a certain number of machines as long as only one is in use at any time. Others allow you to make a single copy of the software as a backup. For Microsoft Office specifically, I was lead to believe some time ago that one could install it on up to three machines for personal use. Today I must assume that's wrong, as I can find no documentation to back that up. "On the surface, copying is simple: it's illegal."
There are plenty of options besides purchasing an additional copy of Office, especially if you can't justify the additional cost. Consider:
Related: • Recent Comments
Is there a way to check the number of times software has been installed before installing it? Posted by: Mel at July 14, 2007 07:09 PM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Not that I'm aware of, no. Leo
iD8DBQFGmqV/CMEe9B/8oqERArncAJ4uGd3KeAUXyfCx4tUQDyTNul21qgCeL5Ug looks like a copy on your desktop & also putting it on your laptop is perfectly ok according to the terms here - this is directly from the ms site 1. RETAIL LICENSE TERMS This article from Microsoft should clear things up regarding Office Products: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA102333141033.aspx?pid=CL100796341033 Posted by: Michael at July 25, 2007 06:58 AMIf the link doesn't work, go to: http://office.microsoft.com and search for the article, "Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Office Retail Licensing". You should see it about half-way down the page. Posted by: Michael at July 25, 2007 07:05 AMI too was wondering about this as I recently purchased a laptop, Office 2007 and McAfee for my college-bound son. I am ready to purchase the same laptop again for our home use because it was a great deal but did not want to buy the other add ons again. And on the back of the Office 2007 box, it does state it is licensed for up to 3 PC's. (The McAfee allows it too). Posted by: Jane Adams at July 30, 2007 11:50 AMps...that would be Office Home and Student 2007 in case it matters to anyone Posted by: Jane Adams at July 30, 2007 11:53 AMIt depends on the license and how you bought Office. If you bought Office pre-installed on a PC, then it is OEM, and cannot be transferred to a new PC, even if you are scrapping the old PC (same with Windows). The OEM license is tied to the machine and "dies" when it dies. If you bought a retail box, then you can install on a desktop and also a laptop as long as you are the only user of the software. If you bought the "home and student" license, you can install on up to 3PCs for home use only (ie not for any commerical use). If you get a new PC and remove Office from the old one, then you can take you license for office with you (unlike OEM). Lastly, if your work as a "home use program" with Microsoft, you can get Office for practically nil, but you can only install it on one machine at your home for as long as you are an employee of the company with the "home use program" arrangement with Microsoft. Posted by: Mike at August 12, 2007 02:55 PMI recently received a replacement laptop due to mine having issues, do I have to take extra steps to unistall on old computer to be able to enter key on new computer? I'm running vista and want the office student on new comp. I have used 3 times related to reformating, desktop and laptop? Posted by: Jeni at September 25, 2007 05:21 AMI bought office 2007 and installed it onto my laptop. The terms of the licensing agreement state that the software can be installed on a portable device and a desktop, and the machine which the software is first installed onto is the licensed machine (my laptop). Is it legal to now install office onto my desktop PC? Cheers Posted by: Mr Irving at April 9, 2008 09:34 AMPost a comment on "How many machines can I install a single copy of Microsoft Office on?":
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