This illustration gives a quick overview on the Do's and Don'ts of providing a genuine Microsoft® Windows® software license.
Do build new PC's preinstalled with genuine Microsoft OEM Windows software.		Don't use Volume License media to install the initial Microsoft Windows license on a new PC. Microsoft Volume License Agreements offer operating system upgrades only. Don't transfer OEM software from one computer system to another. OEM software licenses can not be transferred from one computer system to another, even if the computer system on which it was originally installed is no longer in use.

• Do and Don't
• COA
• SPAM E-mail
• Product Activation
• Reporting Piracy

 

The easiest and most economical way to for your customers to acquire Windows on a new PC is to purchase it preinstalled when they buy their new machine. This way, they'll be up and ready to run Windows when they take their new machine home or to the office. An alternative method of acquiring Windows is to purchase a retail version, however, this would require them to install the software themselves. Do your customers a favor by preinstalling genuine Windows with new PCs—it will make their lives easier and they'll thank you for it!

One common misconception is that if you are a Microsoft Volume License Customer you can use your volume license media to install the initial full Windows license on your new PC. It's important to understand that volume license agreements offer Windows Upgrades only—not full Windows licenses—therefore you need to get your initial Windows license when you purchase your new machine—or via the retail channel, as described above. These are the only ways to get a FULL Windows license. A volume license (VL) agreement offers Windows upgrades—for example, you can use a VL agreement to upgrade a machine from Windows 2000 to Windows XP—but not to install the initial Windows license on a new machine. If your customers are under the false impression that a VL agreement covers a full Windows license, please advise them otherwise. If they use their VL agreement for this initial full Windows license—they will not own the legal license to run Windows on their new PCs.

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine—even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines. Please advise your customers of this licensing rule. If they request a "naked" PC and are planning to transfer an old OEM operating system license to the new machine—they will not have a legal license to run Windows on this new machine.