how dodgy is this? Windows license from decommissioned pc...

mmmmchocolate

I'm looking at building a new pc. As far as the OS is concerned, buying the license from a decomissioned pc looks like an mse option :money: - there's loads on ebay - eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64-Bit-SP1-Full-Version-Coa-Product-Key-/131278130856?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

But obviously I'm worried that it's a bit dodgy. My instinct is to walk away (if it looks too good to be true, it probably is and all that) - but the saving is too good to do that without asking the question first

So, has anyone done this? How did it go? Any advice?

HappyMJ

You're not supposed to but I have heard that as well. When I was scrapping my non working laptop I was offered some cash just for the licence key...they didn't want the laptop at all. Then I thought about it and purchased a new laptop without windows on it and used the licence key from the old one. No problems at all.

RobTang

It will almost certainly work but it's definitely against the licence terms so it's not something that can openly approved.

Uxb

I thought OEM licences were blocked from re-authenticating on a different PC to that which they were first installed on.
Which is why they are intended for system builders

There is a difference between and OEM licence and a "retail licence" which can indeed be transferred from PC to PC.

Guess which is cheaper to buy in the first place!

Esqui

I had to do phone activation when I transferred an old OEM licence to a new PC.


It's possible, but it is against the licence agreement

kwikbreaks

Speculation...

If it's an ex-corporate PC the odds are it was never online with its original licence key because corporates tend to put their own build image on all PCs before they go to end users. If it's never been online there should be no issues with registration. That said I don't think I'd buy a recycled licence.

mmmmchocolate

Thanks everyone

Thinking back I suppose I did something similar with the OEM license on my old XP machine - had to replace the fried motherboard, and I upgraded so many of the other bits I don't think it had anything original left in the end! Because it was gradual though, it always FELT like the same pc - like Trigger's Broom from only fools and horses :rotfl:

Just seems a bit dodgier getting the license from someone else's completely different machine :eek:

I_have_spoken

Yep, I bought Windows 7 Pro COA from a 'scrapped' corporate PC from Ebay for £20ish, installed fine and it's still working OK :dance:

I did notice the purchase has now been 'blanked' from my history by Ebay, with a comment about being a prohibited item or words to that effect. So if it goes wrong, Ebay may not help you much.

More legit is a Refurbishment Licence COA, I got a Win 7 Pro one from Amazon from a German seller for about £50.

I feel I'm morally in the right, as Microsoft themselves decided to halt retail sales of Win 7 to try and force peeps onto Windows 8.x (which, BTW is fine if you have a touchscreen tablet)

custardy

I_have_spoken wrote: »

I feel I'm morally in the right, as Microsoft themselves decided to halt retail sales of Win 7 to try and force peeps onto Windows 8.x (which, BTW is fine if you have a touchscreen tablet)

Can you tell me how to activate the tablet on my desktop for W8?
I seem to have missed this requirement.

Handsome90

Sorry wrong window. Please delete

esuhl

The OEM copies are supposed to be tied to the machine. Assuming the licence is for a "retail" copy, however, I remember reading somewhere that there was an EU court case that said that consumers have a right to re-sell software, just as they have a right to re-sell books, etc.

http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf
http://www.osborneclarke.com/connected-insights/publications/legal-resale-of-used-software-licences-a-blow-for-copyright-holders/
http://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/EU-court-legalises-second-hand-software

RobTang wrote: »

It will almost certainly work but it's definitely against the licence terms so it's not something that can openly approved.

It's against the licensing terms, but such terms are unenforceable in the EU as EU law takes precedence.