Is it possible to buy windows and install it on my two computers?

bobkn · Jan 2, 2023

Winuser said:
My guess is that they use MAK keys.

That would seem crooked, but I don't know otherwise.

Porthos · Jan 2, 2023

Since these are new computers that should have the OS on them already, I am starting to wonder if the user is actually talking about Office.

Wynona · Jan 2, 2023

Windows 11 Requirements

1. Windows licensing is as follows:

a. Each copy of the Windows Operating System can be used on only one computer. New computers normally come with the current version of Windows.

b. Once Windows has been installed on a computer, the pertinent information is embedded somewhere in the hardware. I don’t exactly know where, but . . . That means you can update from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and maybe . . . to Windows 12 for free?

c. Since Microsoft knows what’s inside the computer, if there is a hardware failure, you may have to call Microsoft, but you can usually repair the hardware and reinstall Windows with Microsoft help.

2. If you are buying a new computer, (laptop or desktop), it should come with either Windows 10 Home or Pro (free upgrade to Windows 11) or Windows 11 Home or Pro. Be sure any Windows 10 machine you may buy meets system requirements for Windows 11.

a. If you are building the new computer yourself, be sure your hardware meets system requirements for Windows 11. You must buy a copy of Windows 11 Home or Pro for the new build.

b. Windows Home or Pro can be an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) copy or a Retail copy. An OEM copy is a bit cheaper but must remain with the original computer it was installed on. A Retail copy can be removed from one computer and installed on another computer; however, a call to Microsoft may be required.

3. If you have an existing Windows 7, 8, or 10 laptop or desktop, the first thing you need to do is run Microsoft’s PC Health Check to verify that the PC meets system requirements to run Windows 11.

a. PC Health Check - How to check if your device meets Windows 11 system requirements after changing device hardware - Microsoft Support

b. If the Windows 10 PC meets system requirements it can be upgraded free to Windows 11. If the Windows 7 or 8 PC meets system requirements the easiest way to a free upgrade is to first upgrade to Windows 10, then to Windows 11. (You can upgrade a qualifying Windows 7 or 8 PC to Windows 11, but it’s complicated and beyond the scope of this post.)

4. Any Windows 7 or 8 machine qualifies for a free upgrade to Windows 10. Any Windows 10 machine qualifies for a free upgrade to Windows 11 if it meets system requirements. Of course, that means Home to Home and Pro to Pro.

hsehestedt · Jan 3, 2023

Put in simple terms:

If your machine ever had Win 7 or newer installed, you can upgrade free.

Otherwise, you can purchase a license (one per machine) with or without media. You only need one physical media. The same media can be used on an unlimited number of machines, but one license per system is required. The media can be downloaded for free from Microsoft.

Scott · Jan 3, 2023

Wynona said:
Windows 11 Requirements
c. Since Microsoft knows what’s inside the computer, if there is a hardware failure, you may have to call Microsoft, but you can usually repair the hardware and reinstall Windows with Microsoft help.

I recently upgraded my motherboard and CPU. It activated on first boot, no call to MS required.

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

danezeq said:
i'm opening a new business so need to install a new copy on a new copmuter. but i wonder if should buy another copy for the laptop, and for another desktop i'll gonna have.

First of all, do you really need the paid version of Windows? You can install Windows for free and is often sufficient for the most part, provided you can live with default configurations and the watermark on the Desktop Homescreen.

If it is strictly for (small) business/ personal use and you don't need advanced features, the free version would be enough.

Megahertz · Jan 3, 2023

danezeq said:
i'm opening a new business so need to install a new copy on a new copmuter. but i wonder if should buy another copy for the laptop, and for another desktop i'll gonna have.

Lets put this way:
- Does the computers hardware meets the Win 11 requirements?
- If you assemble or buy a new computer without any OS, you need to buy a license.
- If the computer came with Win 7, 8.x or 10 you don't need to by a license. From Win 7 or 8.x you upgrade to Win 10. From Win 10 you upgrade to 11 IF hardware meets the Win 11 requirements.

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

bobkn said:
That would seem crooked, but I don't know otherwise.

Both of my mini-PCs and a copy of Windows 11 I purchased from legit sources, all came with a MAK key. One of my Mini-PCs is a very well know brand. I don't know if it's legal or MS doesn't really care. They are being sold out in the open and not just through shady retailers.

TM21 · Jan 3, 2023

OH my Gawd! The licensing police rear their ugly heads again!

And the Mothership is hiding on the back side of the moon!

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
First of all, do you really need the paid version of Windows? You can install Windows for free and is often sufficient for the most part, provided you can live with default configurations and the watermark on the Desktop Homescreen.

If it is strictly for (small) business/ personal use and you don't need advanced features, the free version would be enough.

And that completely violates the End User License Agreement that the user agrees to when installing Windows. Then, on top of that, to use the software in violation of the EULA as part of a business to make a profit, you now open yourself up to stiffer penalties and fines should you end up in court.

All that just because you don't want to go to a website and pay $15 for a discount Windows license.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TechnoMage2021 said:
OH my Gawd! The licensing police rear their ugly heads again!

And the Mothership is hiding on the back side of the moon!

What is so hard about going to a website and paying $15 for a discounted product key? What do you have against using Windows that has been activated using a purchased product key?

10 minutes and $15 and you at least have an install of Windows that MS themselves have activated. Using a product key that Showkey Plus will likely identify as OEM.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

Winuser said:
My guess is that they use MAK keys.

bobkn said:
That would seem crooked, but I don't know otherwise.

When I have purchased discounted product keys in the past, Showkey Plus showed them as OEM. Activate Windows 10/11 with it. After activation change the product key to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows 10/11 and you get a retail digital license for that computer and you are good to go for the life of that computer.

It just really is not that hard nor expensive. There are so many websites selling the discounted product keys and MS does nothing about it, you have a valid reason to believe that MS does not consider it to be illegal (at least not enough to shut them down).

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
And that completely violates the End User License Agreement that the user agrees to when installing Windows. Then, on top of that, to use the software in violation of the EULA as part of a business to make a profit, you now open yourself up to stiffer penalties and fines should you end up in court.

All that just because you don't want to go to a website and pay $15 for a discount Windows license.

Can you share more info on this?

You would be in violation only if you pirate a software or use a paid software with a stolen license key.

Using the free version with all its limitations isn't a violation. If it was, why doesn't Microsoft stop the continued use of its free version? Why don't they make it a trial software instead?

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
Can you share more info on this?

New Page

www.microsoft.com

Paragraph 5:
Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply.

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
New Page

www.microsoft.com

Paragraph 5:
Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to conduct activation to associate it with a certain device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. In either case, transmission of certain information will occur, and Internet, telephone and SMS service charges may apply.

1. Where does it state that one must not use the software without activation?

2. Where does it state that it cannot be used in a business without activation?

3. Where does it state a timeframe for activation?

The free version is properly licensed for use as long as the software isn't tampered with. There is nothing in the EULA that states one must stop using it if not activated, and there is no time restriction mentioned either.

Microsoft is well aware of this and is happy to allow it's software to be used for free with all its limitations as long as none of the terms (such as reverse engineering, pirated licence key, other forms of tampering, etc.) are violated.

I searched on Google and didn't find any case of Microsoft filing litigations for continued use of free version of the software. Please share if you find any.

clam1952 · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
1. Where does it state that one must not use the software without activation?

2. Where does it state that it cannot be used in a business without activation?

3. Where does it state a timeframe for activation?

The free version is properly licensed for use as long as the software isn't tampered with. There is nothing in the EULA that states one must stop using it if not activated, and there is no time restriction mentioned either.

Microsoft is well aware of this and is happy to allow it's software to be used for free with all its limitations as long as none of the terms (such as reverse engineering, pirated licence key, other forms of tampering, etc.) are violated.

I searched on Google and didn't find any case of Microsoft filing litigations for continued use of free version of the software. Please share if you find any.

Microsoft Sues Activation Key & Token Sellers For Enabling Customers' Piracy * TorrentFreak

A new copyright lawsuit filed by Microsoft targets sellers of dubious activation keys, holding them liable for their customers' piracy.

torrentfreak.com

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

clam1952 said:
Microsoft Sues Activation Key & Token Sellers For Enabling Customers' Piracy * TorrentFreak

A new copyright lawsuit filed by Microsoft targets sellers of dubious activation keys, holding them liable for their customers' piracy.

torrentfreak.com

This is about activation using piracy, and distribution of pirated activation keys, which do not constitute a licence. More importantly, it is the distributor who has been sued for piracy and copyright violations, not the end user.

There is nothing about using the free version of Windows downloaded from Microsoft without activation.

There are two aspects about the limited nature of the ambiguous EULA:

1. Microsoft is happy to allow users to continue using their free version without activation, as long as there is no tampering. Because it should be extremely simple for Microsoft to block the untampered software, if required. Why is Microsoft not doing that if there was an unacceptable violation?

2. The cost of litigation will far exceed eventual realisation of compensation for damages, if at all.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
1. Where does it state that one must not use the software without activation?

2. Where does it state that it cannot be used in a business without activation?

3. Where does it state a timeframe for activation?

Is English your second language?

Paragraph 5:
Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.

What part of "you are authorized to use this software ONLY IF" is unclear or ambiguous?

cereberus · Jan 3, 2023

In the end, as a company, you could get audited by a company you supply services to.

My company is very strict on legitimate licencing (of all software) and has 3rd party audits done to ensure compliance with various ISO certification requirements. If any user is found to be using any pirated software, they would be dismissed immediately.

Any reputable company (as I am sure yours is) would ensure full compliance with MS licensing requirements. The damage to a company's reputation could far exceed the cost of a few licences if it was discovered they were using licences in a manner that did not comply with MS EULAs.

Most larger companies enter a volume licence arrangement, but for smaller companies it is probably cheaper to buy a few standalone licences.

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
Is English your second language?

Paragraph 5:
Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.

What part of "you are authorized to use this software ONLY IF" is unclear or ambiguous?

"properly activated with a genuine product key" or by "other authorized method."

The focus here is on activating with a genuine product key, not a pirated one.

What is "other authorized method"? When a company allows me to download it's software for free and also use it pretty much unhindered INDEFINITELY, I consider that as an authorization. And more so when it does nothing to stop me from using it, something that is extremely easy to do on untampered software.

Show me a case where Microsoft has gone after an individual or a small business for using its free software without activation. Until then, you are free to consider English as my 2nd, 3rd, or 'n'th language.

Is it possible to buy windows and install it on my two computers?

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