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Paying to download Windows Xp/Vista/7? Catch?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by TheChosenOne, Nov 12, 2011.

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  1. TheChosenOne

    TheChosenOne Contributing Member

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    What's the catch with sites like this one?

    http://softwaregoods.net/shop/bycategory/10/

    here's a few of their FAQ's

    always wondered about this so if anyone can clear it up thanks. as long as I'm getting a legit version of windows then that's really what I'm looking for... I don't need the fancy box and everything else.
     
  2. xcrunner51

    xcrunner51 Member

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    At best it's probably not 100% legit. Likely they're either a) selling an OEM license without hardware (against the EULA) or more likely b) reselling an OEM license from another computer (against the EULA unless you also buy that computer's hardware). Option B happens when a company buys a broken computer, 'strips' the OS/CD-key from the system and resells along with other parts.

    Both A and B will give you a working license key that is valid for updates but is really illegal in Microsoft's opinion.

    There's also option C: which is they're selling a copy of a volume license key which doesn't require activation. Definitely illegal and probably not the case because Microsoft has put the kibosh on volume license keys sans activation since Windows XP.
     
    2 people like this.
  3. BetterThanI

    BetterThanI Member

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    Outstanding, concise, and 100% accurate response. Repped.
     
  4. TheChosenOne

    TheChosenOne Contributing Member

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    Great man. Thanks for the clear explanation. Guess I'll just be saving up for a 3 pack of Windows 7 in the future.
     
    #4 TheChosenOne, Nov 12, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2011

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