Windows 8.1 pro licence key?

[Shaolin_K]

Hi

Just wondered if the purchase of keys are 100% legal.

Have you guys used this method, or do you buy retail copies?

I see some are sold on the bay, but curious about their authenticity?


Thanks

[kalniel]

Presumably the keys sold on ebay would have to be retail keys anyway. OEM is only for sale with hardware.

[Saracen]

There have been lots of problems, such as stolen keys, keys issued for use within MSDN licences that aren't valud for distribution this way, and so on.

MS state explicitly that the only way they distribute keys in this way is in retail packaging with certificate of authenticity.

At the very least, you're taking a chance buying keys via websites, auction houses, etc, unless they're MS authorised resellers. Such keys might well work, and activate, but unless they're 100% legit, you're never going to be entirely sure how long they'll last before MS deactivate them.

[Shaolin_K]

Thanks for the info guys.

Probably not worth the risk I guess?

[neonplanet40]

Meh, I bought some OEM keys. Work fine. 100% legal? I don't know. More legal than a keygen though and your still paying for it. Microsoft would rather chase the distributers anyway. Just buy one which has feedback from others and you will be fine.

[artcon]

I thought about it since it was a lot cheaper. But the risk of the key getting deactivated months down the line wasn't worth it to me as it really would be wasted money if it did deactivate, and then have to end up spending even more money on a legit one. Plus I ended up getting a decent deal from Amazon anyway. Then again for some people it works perfectly fine. If you do go down the not-so-legit-way then I'd suggest doing your research on sellers and make sure you read up on people's experiences of buying from them and how it's worked out in the long run.

[neonplanet40]

I have been using keys from the Bay for years. Never once been deactivated. Its your decision of course but my experience has been 100% fine.

[Saracen]

3

I have been using keys from the Bay for years. Never once been deactivated. Its your decision of course but my experience has been 100% fine.

And therein lies the question .... is the buyer, or OP in this case, interested in they're legal, as per his post, or just whether they work, which may have been the unspoken sub-text?

As already stated, unless they come in a genuine, legit MS package with CoA, then they're not legal if distributed in this way. MS have legitimately distributed keys themselves, such as via MSDN or TechNet programs, but these are 100% NOT legal for resale, via auction sites or otherwise.

Other keys may be stolen, or may be generated via illicit keygen.

In short, depending on what these keys are, they may or may not work initially, and if they do initially, they may or may not either timeout, or be de-activated by MS based on quite a variety of events happening in the future.

But what they almost certainly aren't is, as per the OP's question, 100% legal.

So anyone buying them ought to be aware that :-

1) They take a chance on if, and indeed, how long, they work for.
2) You will have little or no enforceable redress against the seller
3) You are buying VERY cheap, so can't really moan about 1) or 2).

If you're approached by some dodgy bloke on a Mediterranean beach (or wherever) and he offers to sell you a "Rolex Oyster" for £50, do you seriously believe you're getting a Rolex Oyster? Or a cheap knock-off that might or might not look decent, might or might not last, but either way, isn't "legit"?

Caveat Emptor.



Tech Note : Yes, I'm aware some "fake" Rolexes (other brands are available, both in legit and knock-off variants) are allegedly only fake in the sense that they were smuggled out the factory back door, instead of legitmately shipped out the front door. And indeed, a friend sent one of his high-end "fakes" (he also has legit versions) to the manufacturer for servicing, which they duly did without noticing, or at least, commenting, on the 'legitinacy'. Maybe they didn't notice, if the 'fake' was a 'back door' variety. Maybe they did, but pocketed the fee anyway, and said nothing. This was, however, apparently a "good quality" fake, not a £5 far-East joke fake.

[neonplanet40]

3) You are buying VERY cheap, so can't really moan about 1) or 2).

And thats what did it for me. I can take a risk and replace it if needed in the future. But yes, it is best that everyone know all of the above beforehand.

[alexw]

@neonplanet40 do you have any recomendation which seller I should buy from?
I'm building new rig and paying extra for windows is not something on my list.

Different matter: if you install win 7 and want to upgrade to 10, does it give you the key? You need a fresh install of win 10 from 7 right? So how you go about it? thanks

[kalniel]

Different matter: if you install win 7 and want to upgrade to 10, does it give you the key? You need a fresh install of win 10 from 7 right? So how you go about it? thanks

If you upgrade from windows 7 then there is no new windows 10 key - the upgrade uses the windows 7 key and then registers the hardware as being legit for the windows 10 license. You don't need a fresh install, it's an in place upgrade.

[alexw]

thanks kalniel, one more question, i've read in an old post here @hexus (Cheapest Windows 7) that you can receive copy of windows when you buy parts for pc, do you think it is still possible? If I buy for example most parts from Scan, will they add windows for free?

[directhex]

If you upgrade from windows 7 then there is no new windows 10 key - the upgrade uses the windows 7 key and then registers the hardware as being legit for the windows 10 license. You don't need a fresh install, it's an in place upgrade.

Windows 10 build 10565 and later accepts Windows 7, 8.0, and 8.1 keys, without the need to activate then upgrade the previous OS.

[directhex]

thanks kalniel, one more question, i've read in an old post here @hexus (Cheapest Windows 7) that you can receive copy of windows when you buy parts for pc, do you think it is still possible? If I buy for example most parts from Scan, will they add windows for free?

That is never free.

A full retail copy of Windows costs a certain amount, on the basis that it comes with tech support and the license permits you to move that copy from one computer to another as needed. You can pay a smaller amount for an OEM copy, which is licensed for sale only with new PC parts, and comes with no support, and does not have transfer rights.

[neonplanet40]

@neonplanet40 do you have any recomendation which seller I should buy from?
I'm building new rig and paying extra for windows is not something on my list.

Different matter: if you install win 7 and want to upgrade to 10, does it give you the key? You need a fresh install of win 10 from 7 right? So how you go about it? thanks

I've used these guys for 3 of my machines now. Bought all Windows 7 64Bit Pro keys = all upgraded to 10 with no problems.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Spartan-Outlet

As others have said, there can be issues. But my experience with these guys have been 100% positive.

[abaxas]

Just buy a recycled COA from ebay.

MS says it's illegal, european union says resale of software is legal.

Job done, legit windows for 20-30 quid.