Windows Vista EULA Modified for Windows Anytime Upgrades

We're making a small but significant modification to the Windows Vista End-User License Agreement (EULA) for Windows Anytime Upgrade.  Customers who purchase a retail copy of Windows Vista and then upgrade to another version of Windows Vista using Windows Anytime Upgrade will be affected by this modification, while all other WAU licensing terms remain unchanged.

Now, those customers will be able to uninstall their upgraded copy of Windows Vista and re-install it on another device (usually, but not always, a PC).  The number of device-to-device reassignments is no longer limited, provided that Windows Vista has been uninstalled from the original device.

The full text of the change can be found at this FAQ under the final question, "Am I allowed to transfer my software from one device to another when I upgrade using Windows Anytime Upgrade?"

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Comments

  1. patfreel
    Posted on: March 24, 2007 at 11:13PM  

    I upgraded using WAU from Business to Ultimate.  I cannot seem to get a new product key for Ultimate.  I am told that if my system crashes, I will have to reinstall Business and then install Ultimate.  It seems like a clunky way to do things since the Ultimate code is on the Business DVD. One rep said that consideration is being given to issuing a Product Key when you purchase an upgrade.  Has any progress been made on this?

    Thanks

    Pat

  2. wh5916
    Posted on: March 25, 2007 at 11:23PM  

    I'm seeing this news a week late, but no matter...I feel much better about Microsoft and Vista after reading this entry.

    I helped a friend with computer issues a few weeks back, and out of gratitude she gave me an upgrade, retail copy of Vista Home Basic. Basic is perfectly fine, but Home Premium is the version I was planning to ultimately purchase for myself.

    Now, at some point, I'll happily purchase the Anytime Upgrade to Home Premium. The licensing restriction that Microsoft has addressed in this change is one of the reasons I've had no desire to spend that extra money.

    Thank you for posting this news--I had no idea that this change to the licensing terms had been made.

  3. Nick White
    Posted on: March 26, 2007 at 2:40PM  

    Hey patfreel:  The key for Windows Vista Ultimate is embedded in the digital license you get when upgrading online through Windows Anytime Upgrade.  The digital license will check for an underlying edition of Windows Vista Business during the upgrade, which is why a genuine version of Windows Vista Business in this case needs to be (re-)installed before an (re-)upgrade can be performed.

  4. patfreel
    Posted on: March 26, 2007 at 11:00PM  

    Nick:  If I have to do a complete reinstall, I gather I have to be connected to the internet to be able to complete the upgrade from Business to Ultimate.  How is the upgrade done without an internet connection?

    Thanks

    Pat

  5. Nick White
    Posted on: March 27, 2007 at 1:15AM  

    Hi again Pat:  once you've installed Business, you'll need to configure an internet connection to connect to WAU and download Ultimate for installation.

  6. patfreel
    Posted on: March 27, 2007 at 7:28AM  

    Nick:  Thanks again for the info.  I still think it would be much more efficient to simply issue an Ultimate Product Key!  Take care.

    Pat

  7. rsanders11
    Posted on: April 22, 2007 at 8:02PM  

    Why do I feel like when I used wau, I got nothing for my money. I think Microsoft should send me a upgrade disk for my money.

  8. Nick White
    Posted on: April 22, 2007 at 8:45PM  

    Hey rsanders11:  when you purchased the WAU upgrade, you actually did get access to the WAU upgrade software via the Windows Marketplace Digital Locker, much as if you'd been sent a disc.  Take a look at the FAQ here for more information on what WAU offers:  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx.

    "Recovery of your upgrade:  A personal digital locker is created for you when you purchase a Windows Vista upgrade. Your digital locker stores your product keys and purchase information which, when used together, allow you to reinstall your upgrade if necessary. A copy of your upgrade is also stored in your digital locker."

  9. rsanders11
    Posted on: April 24, 2007 at 3:11AM  

    Nick, I used WAU to upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate. I would like to get the 64 bit version, how do I do this without a key? The only key I have is for Home Premium.

  10. Nick White
    Posted on: April 24, 2007 at 11:41AM  

    Hey rsanders11:  per the FAQ located here, http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx, you can only use WAU to upgrade a single chip architecture of Windows Vista -- i.e., if you own a 32-bit system, you can only upgrade to the 32-bit edition of Ultimate.

    "Can I change the system type during the upgrade (for example, switch from 32-bit to 64-bit)?

    No.  Your upgrade disc must match your current system type; 32-bit upgrades are valid only for 32-bit systems, and 64-bit upgrades are valid only for 64-bit systems."

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