Buying Windows Licences Online.

tsunamisurfer on 20/08/2018 - 12:11

Hi all,

I'm in the process of a PC build and of course the cost of Windows comes into it.

I have been looking around and there are a lot of tempting offers to buy Windows 10 Home or Pro / OEM or Retail online.

Some examples are…

The more expensive

https://www.ozgameshop.com/operating-systems/microsoft-windo…

The very cheap.

https://psngames.org/software/windows/microsoft-windows-10-h…

https://psngames.org/software/windows/microsoft-windows-10-p…

And I'm sure many on other places liek eBay.

What are your experiences with these? Are these legitimate?

PSNgames seems to allow Paypal which may provide protection, but then there is a risk of the licence being cancelled I suppose even after authentication.

Computing Licence Windows

Comments

  • HighAndDry on 20/08/2018 - 12:13
    +1

    I bought a Win10 Pro licence from eBay for about $8. That was half a year ago, activated and still working fine.

    • So lo on 23/08/2018 - 10:24

      I did the same. The seller gave me a key and deleted their account shortly after. It never worked. :-(

      • HighAndDry on 23/08/2018 - 10:35
        +2

        …. that's why the rule to stick to sellers with a lot of feedback and high feedback rating still counts. Also pay through Paypal so you can claim a refund if it doesn't work.

  • trex on 20/08/2018 - 13:02

    psngamers.org sounds dodgy. Is the amount shown in USD or AUD?

    I've personally used HRK Game a few times. Delivery of keys is very fast like instantly.

  • mskeggs on 20/08/2018 - 13:08
    +1

    Are you happy with counterfeit software?
    If yes, it isn't too hard to pirate it yourself.
    If not, you need to purchase from a legitimate dealer. I don't believe any of the links you provided are legitimate.

    If you buy from an unlicensed channel, you are paying money for a license of no more worth than a pirated one, and financially rewarding people for this shady practice. An outcome I think is ethically worse than straight piracy.

    It is likely these licenses are source from developer network enterprise agreements. It would be sensible for Microsoft to invalidate them all from time to time, but I don't believe this has happened before.

    • HighAndDry on 20/08/2018 - 13:11
      +3

      I don't believe any of the links you provided are legitimate.

      The EU has very strong re-sale rights even for software, and as I understand it, a lot of the licences on eBay are by people who buy PCs (with Windows installed and included in that purchase) to recycle them, and in doing so gain and then sell the copy of Windows that's on that PC.

      From what I can tell, this is perfectly legal (all copies of Windows gained this way were legitimately purchased, then resold), and Microsoft can't prevent this without breaching EU Law even if they wanted to.

      • mskeggs on 20/08/2018 - 14:24
        -1

        While it might be that some people are reselling the basic home version in that way, I think it would be unlikely an individual would pay extra for a Professional licence and then resell it. Colour me skeptical that this is a legitimate source for any but a small number of licenses bundled with consumer PCs.

        • HighAndDry on 20/08/2018 - 14:34

          Almost all new PCs are sold to non-IT-savvy people with Windows, including Windows Pro (upselling happens with software too). And when those people upgrade or otherwise dispose of their PCs, they'll sell or dispose of the whole PC and buy a new one.

          I think you're underestimating the numbers of non-IT-savvy people in the world.

        • SydStrand on 20/08/2018 - 17:21

          I think it would be unlikely an individual would pay extra for a Professional licence and then resell it.

          They're stripped OEM licenses. There's always been talk re: the legality on PC builder forums, but IIRC, Microsoft has never chased up anyone who bought an ex-Enterprise license, especially when they're trying to pump up W10 installs.

    • bobbieb on 20/08/2018 - 20:00
      +2

      Are you happy with counterfeit software?

      Counterfeit… I don't think that word means what you think it does.

      You seem to be conflating counterfeiting with reselling genuine license keys that were acquired legitimately.

      As others have said, most of these are genuine OEM keys that have never been used/activated. As far as I'm concerned, ethically there is no difference buying these than there is buying a second hand Rolex, car, gift voucher, concert ticket.

      The fact its an intangible good in this instance is not relevant.

      The fact the seller is not an authorized seller of "new" product is not relevant. These are second hand goods. Regardless, even if these were indeed being sold as new, most sellers are overseas, so I am buying grey imported goods - an issue on which the ACCC has made their position quite clear.

    • AncientWisdom on 22/08/2018 - 23:09

      Not sure what you're getting your knickers in a knot about, Microsoft doesn't mind then why should I? (/you)

  • Godric on 20/08/2018 - 13:10
    -3

    Buying windows xD

  • Sage on 20/08/2018 - 13:41
    -3

    of course the cost of Windows comes into it.

    It's just a piece of software. It doesn't need a bought license.
    Microsoft have enough money already.

    If it's for personal use, I have no idea why someone would choose to pay for it.

    • Ryanek on 20/08/2018 - 14:49
      +2

      What are you on about? A company has provided a product and some how you feel no need to pay for it? What are you smoking?

  • The Wololo Wombat on 20/08/2018 - 14:00
    +1

    Yea they are legit, OEM licences.

    • mskeggs on 20/08/2018 - 14:25

      How do you come to that conclusion?

      • The Wololo Wombat on 20/08/2018 - 15:19
        +1

        I sell them and I've done lots of research on them.

        • mskeggs on 22/08/2018 - 23:20

          Is the source OEM hardware suppliers that have many thousands of licence codes to sell with hardware who instead sell these as 'resale' licenses since the court case?
          I'm trying to understand where new product licenses are coming from to stock the 'resale' market.

    • tsunamisurfer on 20/08/2018 - 15:26

      Can you sell an OEM licence without selling a build?

      • The Wololo Wombat on 20/08/2018 - 15:58
        +2

        Yes, you have the right of resale (which is what these keys are). In the EU there was a court case and Microsoft lost - they can't dictate the resale of their products. It's like selling a car and stopping people from then on-selling the steering wheel… silly lol.

        I'm feeling generous, happy to DM you a free code (no I don't get them for free). Just let me know.

        • sam-1966 on 21/08/2018 - 08:51

          TWW - I'm looking at upgrading my laptop - would it be okay if I messaged you for some advice?

        • The Wololo Wombat on 21/08/2018 - 09:05

          @sam-1966: Of course :)

  • bobbieb on 20/08/2018 - 20:06
    +2

    OP checkout the microsoftsoftwareswap sub-reddit.

    The reddit has a small, closed group of reputable, reliable sellers for many things Microsoft. I've been using them with zero issues for years.

    They're not quite as cheap as the extreme bottom of the market, but discounts are often given for Bitcoin if that's your thing. :)

  • EnegueWeil on 27/08/2018 - 15:48

    i've bought keys online and me windows 10 pro has been so far activated since last year without any issues, including a couple of reformats due to ssd failing. Like others have said buy from those who have the trusted tag or tons of good reviews. 90% at least.

    mine costed around $20+ if memory doesnt fail me, and it was cheaper for me than getting a physical copy which costed more. just needed a friends computer to download the software from Microsoft's official site and load it onto a usb and install it on a fresh/old pc/laptop.

    maybe down the road in due time, when i'm earning more, prolly would buy the hard copy. till then i'm sticking with digital licenses which save me quite a bit on costs.

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