Can I legally sell a Vista Home Premium license sticker?

Avoriaz

This copy of Vista was never activated.

I bought a brand new old stock machine from SimplyAcer, an Acer reseller, last week. It was made just before 7 was released so had Vista on it.

I powered it up and checked it all out but I didn't connect to the Internet.

When I was satisfied that the machine was 100% ok I removed the 500gb hard drive, put in an almost new blank 320gb drive, installed 7 on that. When I was satisfied that I was happy with 7, I reformatted the 500gb drive for use as external storage.

So that copy of Vista has never been activated or registered to a computer.

I have no use for Vista as I am happy with 7.

JasX

Avoriaz wrote: »

This copy of Vista was never activated.

I powered it up and checked it all out but I didn't connect to the Internet.

So that copy of Vista has never been activated or registered to a computer.

it would be very very unusual for a laptop to be sold with a non-activated windows install. whether or not YOU connected to the internet is largely irrelevant. does it bobbard you with messages stating "this copy of windows is not yet to be activated" and will stop working in 30 days?

basically the answer is legally sold = No (hence ebay etc will come down on you if you try to list, is it technically feasible to passed off onto another machine an MS will be none the wiser - probably.

Avoriaz

JasX wrote: »

it would be very very unusual for a laptop to be sold with a non-activated windows install. whether or not YOU connected to the internet is largely irrelevant. does it bobbard you with messages stating "this copy of windows is not yet to be activated" and will stop working in 30 days?.

No it doesn't bombard me with messages.

But that is hardly surprising as it doesn't exist anymore.

This particular Vista installation lived for just a few hours before having its comfortable and spacious 500gb home taken out of the laptop, reformatted and filled with music video files.

Neither does 7 bombard me with messages. I selected auto activation. Presumably this has taken place as it is showing as activated.

Avoriaz

JasX wrote: »

..basically the answer is legally sold = No (hence ebay etc will come down on you if you try to list, is it technically feasible to passed off onto another machine an MS will be none the wiser - probably.

You are probably right.

I don't want to upset Ebay and risk my selling account so I won't list it there.

Maybe I have a friend who needs a Vista license.

I'm not bothered about MS as both the Vista and 7 licenses have been paid for so they are not losing out.


Thanks everyone for your comments.

JasX

Avoriaz wrote: »

Maybe I have a friend who needs a Vista license.

probably the best all round option.....

but referencing your original question probably best not to go tell microsoft what you're up to

your friend will need the right 'type' of windows install DVD (likely OEM, RETAIL or other types won;t work with an OEM activation code...also something you can't test in advance without using up the code)