Quiz: How much do you know about Microsoft licensing?

How much do you know about Microsoft’s licensing policies for its two flagship products, Windows and Office? You might think it’s an academic question, but you’d be wrong. Licensing issues affect your budget and your ability to qualify for upgrades and support from Microsoft. If you own a business, paying insufficient attention to licensing can earn you a lawsuit and hefty fines. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s licensing policies aren’t a model of consistency, and they also change over time. A lot of conventional wisdom about Microsoft licensing is just plain wrong.

See how many of the following questions you can get right. Yes, there are some trick questions in here, so read carefully before answering. For the answers, follow the link at the bottom of the post. (To jump straight to the answer for an individual question, click the asterisk at the end of that question.)

1. The product key included with a retail or upgrade copy of Windows XP can be used only on one computer. [*]

_ True
_ False

2. How many times can you activate Windows XP on a single computer? [*]

_ 1
_ Up to 5
_ Unlimited

3. If you upgrade your video card and hard drive, you’ll have to reactivate Windows XP. [*]

_ True
_ False

4. You can transfer a Windows XP license from an OEM computer to a new computer. [*]

_ True
_ False

5. To legally buy an OEM copy of Windows, you must purchase it with a piece of “qualifying hardware,” such as a hard drive, motherboard, or even a 50-cent power cable. [*]

_ True
_ False

6. A corporate buyer can purchase multiple PCs “bare” (with no OS installed) and then use licenses purchased through a Volume License program to install Windows XP on those computers. [*]

_ True
_ False

7. If you purchase a computer from a large system maker (Dell, Gateway, Sony, etc.), you have to go through Windows Product Activation again if you reinstall your original copy of Windows XP. [*]

_ True
_ False

8. If you purchase a computer from a “white box” system builder, you have to go through Windows Product Activation again if you reinstall your original copy of Windows XP. [*]

_ True
_ False

9. If you reinstall your original copy of Windows XP on a computer from a large system maker (Dell, Gateway, Sony, etc.), you have to enter the product key found on the sticker attached to the side of the PC’s case. [*]

_ True
_ False

10. If you purchase a new computer with Windows XP preinstalled, Microsoft requires the system maker to give you a copy of the CD so you can reinstall Windows if necessary. [*]

_ True
_ False

11. A single copy of Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition can legally be installed and activated on how many computers at the same time? [*]

_ 1
_ 2
_ 3
_ As many as you have in your household

12. A single copy of Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition can legally be installed and activated on how many computers at the same time? [*]

_ 1
_ 2
_ 3
_ As many as you have in your household

13. A single copy of Microsoft Office 2003 Professional can legally be installed and activated on how many computers at the same time? [*]

_ 1
_ 2
_ 3
_ As many as you have in your business

14. To legally install Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition, you must be a student or a teacher. [*]

_ True
_ False

15. You can buy a Windows license directly from Microsoft. [*]

_ True
_ False

16. Microsoft provides discounted licenses for families or businesses that own an existing Windows license and want to install additional copies. [*]

_ True
_ False

17. If you lose your product key, you can call Microsoft and they’ll provide you with a new one. [*]

_ True
_ False

18. As long as you have your product key, you can reinstall Windows XP using any CD, even one you borrow from a friend or neighbor. [*]

_ True
_ False

Answers here.