reactivating windows 10 on new hardware, without "proper" product key

Like buying a used car. You are responsible for putting valid tags on it. He cannot sell you that OEM license. You're running on temp tags.

PeterPan2000 said:

Is this a possible low cost remedy? --- There are a number of sellers on ebay offering full Windows-10 pro 64 bit DVDs with unused OEM licenses and keys, in the $30-$50 (USD) range. Obviously I would have to find a way to be guaranteed the license was not used on some other machine. And at that cost I wouldn't mind if my install were confined to just this particular machine, because buying another at such a price for another machine would be much less a burden. I just want the license to be MINE and not "expire". These DVDs are probably not "up to date" installs, but perhaps I could just use the license key instead of a "scratch" installation?

against the law, far as I know.

Randy, here's the short version without digging up the MS Docs.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. AKA VAR, Value Added Reseller.

They get quantity deals for bulk OEM license keys from MS, but they have to add something non-MS to the package to make it legal. Usually, this is a can of Bloatware.

Nobody can sell you an OEM license if you are not an OEM.

That's my understanding.

And there's also System Builder options, somewhat similar to OEM.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-94fa96db51b7

Berton said:

And there's also System Builder options, somewhat similar to OEM.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-94fa96db51b7

Here's the other half.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...b-a3676e0903e8

@PeterPan2000, do you understand the gist of all the license terms?

If anything is unclear, maybe someone else can explain better.

PeterPan2000 said:

Its a 12 year old computer, but with 2 quad-core Intel CPUs, its a powerhouse. I only paid $130 for it shipped. "Legally Refurbished"? All I can do is turn in this seller to amazon's seller investigation team and give him detailed negative feedback. It is a computer shop with a business name and an actual brick and mortar store front, whom I'd like to have assumed Amazon approved. My hard luck.

Any old seller can sell on Amazon. It can be as bad as Ebay.


Legally refurbished means the seller is a registered or authorized refurbisher with MS.

They come with NEW COA's But they only have OEM status.

PeterPan2000... does yours have a sticker similar to that?

f14tomcat said:

against the law, far as I know.

In the US yes. If you live in the EU, Sales of unused OEM keys is allowed by EU laws. In the EU it is a free for all when it comes to relinng Windows keys.