# To computers one operating system **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 8, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380 "2001-08-08T00:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Golden\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ea924/32.png) [@Golden\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Golden_Child)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/1 "2001-08-08T00:38:21Z")
Let’s say that I had to computer in my household. Would it be legal to have let’s say Windows Me on both computers being that I only have one copy of this or would it be pirating “If dolphins are so smart, then why is flipper working for television” ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/2 "2001-08-08T00:42:24Z")
It is illegal to install one copy of windows on _two_ computers, but I dont know anyone who would waste money buying another copy. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/3 "2001-08-08T00:55:52Z")
I’m always a bit surprised that so many people are willing to waste money buying ONE… Ouch! SPOOFE, stop that! Ow! ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/4 "2001-08-08T01:39:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Golden Child \* > **Let’s say that I had to computer in my household. Would it be legal to have let’s say Windows Me on both computers being that I only have one copy of this or would it be pirating?** Oooh, ooh, from a post I made just a while ago… > [@](#): > > In any case, I’m thinking of downgrading to Win98, which WOULD be unethical, since I’d have to reuse one of the Win98 serial numbers I already have. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/5 "2001-08-08T12:12:19Z")
- - - This is exactly the sort of illegal use that Windows XP was designed to stop! -Um, for a couple weeks or so. - MC ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/6 "2001-08-08T17:12:54Z")
Technically you are allowed to install that single copy of Windows on both machines, provided that only ONE machine is in use at any one time. Since these are both desktop machines, you’d have a damn hard time proving that you only used one at a time, unless you had a keyserver running or something. However, the reason this is legal is so people can install two copies of the same software, one on the desktop machine, and one on their laptop to take with them. Theoretically, the desktop machine would be not in use while the owner was out using his laptop and vice versa. Of course, no one will ever check to make sure you’re using it properly, until you get WinXP. BTW, slightly off topic: I’m using WinXP RC2 right now, and it is AWESOME. I have yet to have a system crash. Jman ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-computers-one-operating-system/75380/7 "2001-08-08T22:19:54Z")
From some of the technical stuff I’ve read about XP, it seems that it WON’T stop you from installing multiple copies of the OS to a “few” computers. Supposedly, when you register your copy online, the WindowsXP key server checks how many times your serial number has been used, and then either “okays” or “not okays” the registration. I had been led to believe that “plenty” of registrations would be permitted using the same serial number. However, if the same code is used several HUNDRED or THOUSAND times, the key server would stop allowing registration using that particular serial number. You can look at piracy like this: Microsoft doesn’t really care if you, Joe Blow, use two copies of Windows. They’re not going to prosecute you for $150, due to the economics of it. But if, Long Swong, start duping disks in China and distribute copies with one or just a few serial numbers, that’s a REAL problem for Microsoft. When these get out, Microsoft will just “turn off” the serial number. Of course, it will only take a couple of weeks to figure out how to crack Windows WITHOUT the registration server. I really hate to try to defend Microsoft. Sorry.