I posted this on another thread, but this is the crucial point: >The original Microsoft (COA) attached to the PC does not allow you to reload Microsoft Windows

I posted this on another thread, but this is the crucial point: >The original Microsoft (COA) attached to the PC does not allow you to reload Microsoft Windows software when no original recovery media is present. https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/mssmallbiz/2011/10/05/looking-to-provide-refurbished-pcs-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-microsoft-refurbisher-program/ https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/mssmallbiz/2011/10/05/looki... So the $25 doesn't come with a license. It gives you the physical media to comply with the license that came with the computer.