How Many Times Can You Install and Register Windows? Is There a Limit?

[trowand]

Hey, I've just done a clean WinXP install after my RAID array stopped working. This is going to be my fourth time registering Windows in a year. Is there a limit? Will they eventually make you buy a new license? I'm not looking forward to having to call Microsoft and explain why I've re-installed my OS four times now in a year. This really, truly, honestly is the one and only PC that I've ever installed it on. THANKS!

[bailey]

as far as I know, there is no limit.

[Statica]

Firstly, you probably mean re-activate not register. This is not just in word usage. Product Activation is what indentifies your hardware to Microsoft. Registration is when you send personally identifying information (like name, address, phone # etc) to MS.

Regarding reactivation - if you are installing to the same hardware, like it sounds you are doing, you probably dont even need to reactivate. If the hardware has changed significantly then you may need to reactivate.
Remember that there is a 4 times/year limit on automatic reactivation - this is not a limit on reactivation. This just means that beyond 4 times, you MAY have to call a microsoft rep. in activations and explain what has happened (like RAID array crashed) and they will give you the keys to reactivate.
If it is your copy of windows running on just ONE computer, there is no preventing you from doing whatever you want to your machine and have to buy another license.

[trowand]

Cool, I was getting kinda worried because the last time I had to RE-ACTIVATE my OS I had to call MS and they put me under a spotlight and interogated me. Then they used Chinese water torture to ensure I was telling the truth. I was afraid that they'd make me buy another license. STATICA, I like your little genie guy! He's cool.