4 ms·

Doesn't Microsoft now distribute Windows images for free? I've definitely downloaded disk images off their web site and plugged in my windows license key. What'

Doesn't Microsoft now distribute Windows images for free? I've definitely downloaded disk images off their web site and plugged in my windows license key. What's the exact nature of the crime, here? Also, who exactly owns a license key? Is there a secondary market where I can sell my key to a third party? Because I have a buttload of Linux laptops with useless Windows license keys stickers on the side, and I'd sure like to be able to exchange them for value.

striking 11y ago
Those keys are locked to that hardware (to a certain degree). It's a little more work than sharing 25 alphanumeric characters with someone else.
- mynameisvlad 11y ago
  I'm an employee but outside of the Windows org so this is all me. /corporatedisclaimer Is this true? I thought it was just a standard OEM key. The license wouldn't let you install it legally except on an OEM system, but I don't think there's checks in place in the installer to ensure it. On newer computers there isn't a sticker at all since the license is stored on the hardware and pulled by the installer automatically.
  - ultramancool 11y ago
    Those keys used for Win7 used to be locked to a specific hardware vendor and could be used on any other machine from that hardware vendor (given same edition of Windows). This was done by special tables inserted in the BIOS, so to crack it you could actually patch your BIOS to emulate any vendor or use a bootloader which would emulate this. Only vendor-specific key + the table in the bios = unlocked Windows when using these keys. I hear they've changed it on newer ones and pirates have switched almost entirely to KMS activation server emulation, so I assume something's different in Win8+.
    - rasz_pl 11y ago
      Microsoft switched to online activation after EU court decided used software can be RESOLD. This means you can buy broken laptop for $10 from recycling center, and legally own license for a system that was installed on it. UsedSoft vs Oracle (2012)

striking 11y ago

Those keys are locked to that hardware (to a certain degree). It's a little more work than sharing 25 alphanumeric characters with someone else.

mynameisvlad 11y ago
I'm an employee but outside of the Windows org so this is all me. /corporatedisclaimer Is this true? I thought it was just a standard OEM key. The license wouldn't let you install it legally except on an OEM system, but I don't think there's checks in place in the installer to ensure it. On newer computers there isn't a sticker at all since the license is stored on the hardware and pulled by the installer automatically.
- ultramancool 11y ago
  Those keys used for Win7 used to be locked to a specific hardware vendor and could be used on any other machine from that hardware vendor (given same edition of Windows). This was done by special tables inserted in the BIOS, so to crack it you could actually patch your BIOS to emulate any vendor or use a bootloader which would emulate this. Only vendor-specific key + the table in the bios = unlocked Windows when using these keys. I hear they've changed it on newer ones and pirates have switched almost entirely to KMS activation server emulation, so I assume something's different in Win8+.
  - rasz_pl 11y ago
    Microsoft switched to online activation after EU court decided used software can be RESOLD. This means you can buy broken laptop for $10 from recycling center, and legally own license for a system that was installed on it. UsedSoft vs Oracle (2012)