Windows Vista · Licensing

Important Windows Vista Licensing Changes

Robert McLaws · · Restored archive post
Windows Now archive post: Important Windows Vista Licensing Changes
Restored from the windows-now.com archive. This post was originally published by Robert McLaws on 11 October 2006. It is reproduced faithfully for its historical and reference value, with the original author and date credited. Nothing in the text below has been rewritten. If you are the author and would like this amended or removed, contact us.

Ed Bott tells us about changes to the Windows Vista EULA. But that's not the whole story. Starting on Page 11, here is a synopsis of what I believe are the most far-reaching changes, as I have interpreted them:

  • Home Basic
    • Can't copy ISO to your hard drive
    • Can't install to a network server
    • You may share files, printers, etc with a maximum of 5 network devices
    • You MAY NOT use Remote Desktop, only Remote Assistance
    • You MAY NOT use in Virtual PC | Virtual Server |VMWare
  • Home Premium
    • Still can't copy ISO to your hard drive
    • Still can't install to a network server
    • Sharing for 10 network devices
    • Still no Remote Desktop
    • Still no virtual hardware
    • 5 simultaneous Media Center Extender sessions (up from 3 in MCE 2005)
  • Ultimate
    • Can copy ISO to your hard drive
    • Can install to a network server (I'm assuming for Terminal Server scenarios)
    • Sharing for 10 network devices
    • Can use Remote Desktop
    • Can use in a virtualized environment, BUT
      • Can't use DRM-protected content if Vista Ultimate is the "guest" OS
      • Can't use BitLocker if Vista Ultimate is the "guest" OS
    • 5 Media Center Extender sessions

I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. On one hand, I don't have a problem with it, cause I'll be using Ultimate anyways... but I have a feeling that other people probably will. Either way, I'm thinking maybe they should put this stuff at the top of the EULA, instead of burying it at the bottom. These are important things that people in a purchasing position need to know about.

Well, you saw it here first... don't forget to Digg it ;).

The 2026 answer

These are 2006 licensing rules for Windows Vista. For how Windows editions differ today and which one to buy: Windows 11 Home vs Pro.

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