The OP asked:
"I was wondering if anyone knew weather these sorts of sales are legitimate or not?"
The answer to his question is, IMO, no. Just because a key activates does not make it legitimate.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are the eBay Windows 10 OEM licenses legit?
- Thread starter Beno201
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The OP asked:
"I was wondering if anyone knew weather these sorts of sales are legitimate or not?"
The answer to his question is, IMO, no. Just because a key activates does not make it legitimate.
No to this one. Notice the *wink,wink* and the disclaimer --
MSFT OEM system builder licensing meaning here -- https://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/index.aspx
You are right and you did answer the OP's question!
But although it is true, it's important to remember that Microsoft are still giving away free upgrade copies of Windows 10 if you use assistive software. You don't even have to prove it. I guess if you've used Magnifier once in your life, you can go ahead installing the upgrade with a clear conscience.
I would argue the consensus dictates that really doesn't matter how 'legit' the keys are. Microsoft couldn't care less, don't pursue this, and still offer W10 free; so by proxy, neither should users. If it activates, it activates.
I can't think of a single court case even involving cracked/pirated versions of Windows; well, unless they were done in bulk, or resold pirated copies as legitimate.
So I firmly believe the OP doesn't need to worry.
We as a company only sell retail not OEM.
We have sold scrap machines with keys on base but that's up to customer what they do with key.
We do however sell refurb keys, this only works when customer brings in an old key sticker.
We can then activate the new key and it voids the old key.
E.g. bring us a vista/xp key and we can convert it to 7 or 8 or 10.
It will void the vista/xp key and it will no longer activate if the user tried.
We are a microsoft refubisher partner and as such we can do this.
We have sold scrap machines with keys on base but that's up to customer what they do with key.
We do however sell refurb keys, this only works when customer brings in an old key sticker.
We can then activate the new key and it voids the old key.
E.g. bring us a vista/xp key and we can convert it to 7 or 8 or 10.
It will void the vista/xp key and it will no longer activate if the user tried.
We are a microsoft refubisher partner and as such we can do this.
it will work but reselling OEM license is illegal (buying one is also prohibited).
so yeah, you can buy an illegal license, which ends up the same as cracking it.
The OP didn't ask if he needed to worry, he asked if it was legitimate. IMO keys selling for $1.00 from a Chinese seller are not legitimate. These people are selling in bulk and they're the kind of target for Microsoft that you mentioned. Buying a key from one of these "resellers" is taking a risk in that Microsoft could discover them and block the key(s). Then you wouldn't have a working key and you'd be out money (meh, it's only a dollar so most people would take the "risk"),You are right and you did answer the OP's question!
But although it is true, it's important to remember that Microsoft are still giving away free upgrade copies of Windows 10 if you use assistive software. You don't even have to prove it. I guess if you've used Magnifier once in your life, you can go ahead installing the upgrade with a clear conscience.
I would argue the consensus dictates that really doesn't matter how 'legit' the keys are. Microsoft couldn't care less, don't pursue this, and still offer W10 free; so by proxy, neither should users. If it activates, it activates.
I can't think of a single court case even involving cracked/pirated versions of Windows; well, unless they were done in bulk, or resold pirated copies as legitimate.
So I firmly believe the OP doesn't need to worry.
It all depends on whether you want to be legitimate or not. Many people are fine with obtaining a key and using it. That's their choice. However I wanted to ensure the OP understood the difference between obtaining a functioning key and being legally entitled to use the software. Merely having a functioning key does not entitle the possessor the legal right to use the software.
It's not uncommon for home users to use unlicensed copies of software. Unless they do something really, really, really stupid to draw the wrath of a software developer it's unlikely they'll ever have a problem. However if they're operating a business, even a small one, I would recommend they give it some hard thought before doing so. It's not uncommon, even in very small businesses, for a disgruntled employee to turn in their employer for using unlicensed software.
Ebay own TandC on oem software:
"
So is it legal to purchase OEM software on EBay?
Buyers may purchase the software providing that the seller is also selling the software with a hardware item. A careful buyer should make sure when checking the listing that there is a hardware item included in the sale. Also, find out what the item is exactly. It would be too easy to say as a seller " I am selling this OEM software with a hardware item" but not say exactly what that item is. When the software is shipped, again, the seller might not include the mystery "hardware item" since he never specified what that item is."
OEM software used to be able to be sold with hardware.
E.G. one of our competitors used to sell a dead HDD for £80 but you got XP home free as you had to sell hardware.
"
So is it legal to purchase OEM software on EBay?
Buyers may purchase the software providing that the seller is also selling the software with a hardware item. A careful buyer should make sure when checking the listing that there is a hardware item included in the sale. Also, find out what the item is exactly. It would be too easy to say as a seller " I am selling this OEM software with a hardware item" but not say exactly what that item is. When the software is shipped, again, the seller might not include the mystery "hardware item" since he never specified what that item is."
OEM software used to be able to be sold with hardware.
E.G. one of our competitors used to sell a dead HDD for £80 but you got XP home free as you had to sell hardware.
This brings up another point people may not understand. When purchasing an upgrade version of software many people do not realize they're no longer entitled to use the software on which the upgrade is based. For example if one uses an upgrade version of Windows 10 to upgrade their Windows 7 system they are no longer licensed to use the Windows 7 software. They cannot legally transfer the Windows 7 license to another system / individual. The upgraded software becomes the legally licensed software and the Windows 7 license is no longer legitimate.
It works, but it's not legal. Volume license keys can also be activated. Again, works, but not legal. No legal difference vs. using a crack.
This week, I tried to buy some Microsoft Office licenses from Ebay. Here are my experiences:
1. First purchase. A few hours after completing the purchase and paying, I received an email from Ebay saying the seller's account may have been compromised and that I should log in to Ebay and request a refund.
2. Second purchase. A few hours after completing the purchase and paying, I received an email from Ebay saying the listing had been removed. No explanation was given. I logged in and requested a refund.
3. Third purchase. Shortly after completing purchase and paying, I received an email from the seller saying that I should received the download link and licenses via email within 24 hours. A few hours later, I did indeed receive the download link and licenses. I proceeded with installation and registration with Microsoft and everything worked as expected. The next time I logged in to Ebay, I noticed that this listing was also removed by Ebay...
1. First purchase. A few hours after completing the purchase and paying, I received an email from Ebay saying the seller's account may have been compromised and that I should log in to Ebay and request a refund.
2. Second purchase. A few hours after completing the purchase and paying, I received an email from Ebay saying the listing had been removed. No explanation was given. I logged in and requested a refund.
3. Third purchase. Shortly after completing purchase and paying, I received an email from the seller saying that I should received the download link and licenses via email within 24 hours. A few hours later, I did indeed receive the download link and licenses. I proceeded with installation and registration with Microsoft and everything worked as expected. The next time I logged in to Ebay, I noticed that this listing was also removed by Ebay...
They are actually breaking Ebay rules as not selling with hardware which is why ebay remove the listing I would imagine.
Hello
I have a quick question about windows 10 i have three windows 8 dvds all three installed on three computers and all upgraded to windows 10. Can i use one of the dvd again to install windows 8 on another pc then upgrade to windows 10 and will it effect the other pc windows 10 in installed on. Or does it give you different windows 10 product key when you do the free upgrade
I have a quick question about windows 10 i have three windows 8 dvds all three installed on three computers and all upgraded to windows 10. Can i use one of the dvd again to install windows 8 on another pc then upgrade to windows 10 and will it effect the other pc windows 10 in installed on. Or does it give you different windows 10 product key when you do the free upgrade
I had a retail version of Windows 8 installed on my old Mac Pro and upgraded to Windows 10. Then I sold my Mac Pro without Windows included. When I got my new hackintosh, I used the same retail Windows 8 license but I had to call Microsoft and spent about 2 hours on the phone with them to get it activated. After that, I was able to upgrade to Windows 10.
Based on the conversation I had with the Microsoft rep during that 2 hour call, the previous installation would be deactivated. Also, since I had already gotten the free upgrade to Windows 10 prior to the cut-off date, my upgrade to Windows 10 would still be free.
Based on the conversation I had with the Microsoft rep during that 2 hour call, the previous installation would be deactivated. Also, since I had already gotten the free upgrade to Windows 10 prior to the cut-off date, my upgrade to Windows 10 would still be free.
The free upgrade offer has expired so while you can still use the DVD to perform a new installation -- that installation will be unlicensed.
Also, the free upgrade licenses are non-transferable so unlike prior versions of windows, you won't even be presented with the option of using Microsoft's phone in system to register.
Retail versions of Windows 10 licenses are transferable so in that case, yes, installing on a new computer would deactivate the old computer.
[doublepost=1488638386][/doublepost]
Not entirely. Windows 10 upgrade still free.
I installed first Windows 7 on my new Kaby Lake PC, activated it, cloned the Windows 7 partition to an other SSD, and upgraded the second partition to Windows 10 with 'Windows10upgrade24074.exe'. Windows 10 is activated.
Here you go: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
Not entirely. Windows 10 upgrade still free.
I installed first Windows 7 on my new Kaby Lake PC, activated it, cloned the Windows 7 partition to an other SSD, and upgraded the second partition to Windows 10 with 'Windows10upgrade24074.exe'. Windows 10 is activated.
Here you go: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
Last edited:
