Windows Key - Oh Damn

[SPS]

This is the problem when you download stuff and not pay for it. That's quite shocking though, a little tight because that is money robbing.

Say in a years time I buy a new GPU, what will happen?

It's mainly bound to motherboard, although I think after a lot of hardware changes it may kick up a fuss (not sure on that though).

 

[garih]

i bought my oem windows 7 a few years back on release day, since then i have changed mobo, then changed platform totally from amd to intel, i have re installed many times over the years. and have never had any issue with activation.

 

[Lazlo]

I'll try to clear things up with what I know.
Let's start with: Microsoft licensing is a pain in the behind. If you enter the world of server operation systems it gets really complicated (licening per cpu and stuff).
I'll speak to Win 7 but I assume it's the same with Win8

Retail versions are for the normal end user. You get two discs. One with the 64 bit and one with the 32 bit version.
You are allowed to install this copy ON ONE PC AT A TIME. And you get full support for this.

The OEM version was intend for people who build PCs and sell them, so they can ship them with an os.
Due to a european law private persons are allowed to buy them and retailers are allowed to sell them. That was not intended by MS.

With a oem version you get only one disc with either 32bit or 64bit. You get no support from MS, because the company, that build the pc, the oem version shipped with, has to cover that. Since you can buy it without a pc it's kind of a grey area.
This copy is bound to the hardware it comes with. Technically during activation it is bound to your system id, which comes mainly from the motherboard.
I have two copy of oem win7 and have effectively transferred them to a new system two times both. The first time I had to do a phone activation. The second time online activation worked. I guess it depends on the time passed between the activations. So technically it is possible, but legally it is again a grey area.

You should never install one license on multiple machines at the same time( if you want to stay legal). That would be considered breach of license unless its a multi pc license and explicitly says so.

 

[ShaunB-91]

But saying that if I did install it multiple times nout would happen. Police won't give a stuff on piracy, I'm sure coppers are just as bad.

 

[Lazlo]

But saying that if I did install it multiple times nout would happen. Police won't give a stuff on piracy, I'm sure coppers are just as bad.

I'd guess you would have problems activating the second install. Possibly you'd have to do it by phone. If it's still that way with win8.

I'm not gonna talk what I did way back. But nowadays I try to run 100% legit. In times of always online and microsoft backdoors / forced hidden widows updates I recommend that to everyone.
If you need a os license save up or look into linux. If you would choose to pirate / break license agreements, you had to live with the risks.

TBH the risks are pretty hard to calculate. But lets put it that way, all it needs is one person mad at you to report you. Has happened before.

Another way to put in perspective. You buy a rig for 1000+ bucks/quids/euros, then fork over the money ( for example 90 € for win7 home premium oem over here) for the os. It's part of the build.

 

[ShaunB-91]

Don't worry I'll be purchasing a copy. I didn't used to but I pay for everything now. Music, movies, games I always did. Just annoying how they issue licenses in a money stealing way for Windows.

 

[Syphadeus]

Don't worry I'll be purchasing a copy. I didn't used to but I pay for everything now. Music, movies, games I always did. Just annoying how they issue licenses in a money stealing way for Windows.

Why not just buy the OEM version then for cheap? It can be had legit for around £50 which is not a lot especially compared to the full retail release.

There is no comeback when it comes to multiple licences per SKU because it doesn't work like that with Windows and, to my knowledge, never has when it comes to retail based software for it. Obviously it's different when you're talking about Office software but that's a different market really.

The way the OS works Microsoft monetise it by selling each copy of it for money. Prior to the MS marketplace there was no internal sell for them to make a profit and unless or until they completely change their business model you're stuck paying for operating systems as Lazlo has gone into good detail about. Personally if you've got the cash to splash on multiple PCs I dare say fifty quid is not really going to push you into abject poverty.

 

[ShaunB-91]

No no I don't have multiple rigs but it worries me if I upgrade or format but I'll probably just go OEM.

 

[Syphadeus]

I get why you're worried, and to be fair I only have personal experience to go on, but you should be fine.

I have an OEM version of Win7 64-Bit on one machine. It was originally installed on an older build who's HDD had busted and wasn't worth doing anything about. I had no probs activating the OEM copy on the next machine.

Same thing with OEM Windows XP Home Edition. I didn't ever use that on a different machine but I did clean install a few times and also I once updated the BIOS which made Windows think it was a different mobo. In all cases I phoned MS using their automated phone service which asks you for the code generated on install and gives you a code to enter and authenticate. Adds 2 minutes to the process, if that. It was no probs.

 

[d3rrial]

No no I don't have multiple rigs but it worries me if I upgrade or format but I'll probably just go OEM.

You can change any part in the PC you want, including hard-drive and mainboard without having to worry about MS being douchebags about it. As long as there is no second computer using your old Windows installation you're fine. (Like you upgraded your hard-drive, make sure you securely erase it before you sell it off) you can just install Windows again with the same key and activate via telephone, no problem. Done this dozens of times, as long as you only ever have a single system using this Serial Number at any given moment, you're totally fine.

(I used this current Windows 7 Key for 3 complete builds already)

 

[ShaunB-91]

That's okay then. That must of been what I was doing back on Windows XP.