Individuals users of Windows XP DO NOT...DO NOT have to pay for it more than once!!! Why is everyone so dang paranoid?? You don't have to upgrade if you don't want to and you don't have to "buy" an upgrade contract. You pay for it ONCE, just like always. The only thing that's different is that shady registration stuff, but that's IT. If you are that worried about the new registration process, then don't upgrade...simple as that. I plan to and I don't see what everyone is so afraid of (other than your computer not working afterward...LOL). Laurie