What contractual terms apply to my Windows 10 installation?

richard2277 said:

EDIT: Is there significance in the KMS key also being found in in Windows.old?

No the key is useless if not on a LAN - that key activates with an organisations server - the AutoKMS is a service that runs to mimic that

richard2277 said:

Hi. I've taken off the battery and I see a Product Key for "Windows Vista.Business OEMAct"

Hmmm... that won't work - Plan B then - I will have to PM you.

I need to go do some digging - I'll get back to you shortly.

OK Rich ..

We seemed to have solved the issue... now that you have a digital licence you can continue with the funky install (not advisable) or clean install Pro and skip the key - it will activate with the acquired digital licence.

Here's where to report piracy:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howt...fr/report.aspx

richard2277 said:

Hi Superfly. I'm really grateful to you for solving my problem. I'm now able to keep the purchase without all the hassle of returning it to seller. You've also saved the seller's bacon as well I think in some respects. The seller has sold 1070 items and has a 100% rating on Ebay. It suggests it would be somewhat out of character if he was trying to offload an illegal copy. Although that AutoKMS thing was found on the laptop. Regards. Rich

Cool... glad to have helped

I still feel that the seller has a responsibilty to check the goods being sold... also ratings on eBay can be manipulated and is not necessarily an indication of authenticity, how many of the 1070 only found out after the fact and never bothered to go back to change their vote? - there has to be a guarantee prior to sale (an activation diagnostic report for eg. )