5 ms·

You can't buy/use an OEM license for windows on a box you build yourself can you? The last windows machine I put together, I paid > $100 for Windows itself.

cercatrova 6y ago
People actually pay for Windows on desktops? That still surprises me. I know of course you do pay when buying a laptop, but Windows is basically free, there's a trial and you can just use an activator, or buy an OEM key for 10 bucks as the parent states.
snazz 6y ago
Many PC builders just don't activate Windows at all—other than a few occasional nags, Microsoft doesn't really enforce Windows activation anymore. It's just like how Apple doesn't crack down on Hackintoshing. Both the build-your-own PC market and the Hackintosh market are small enough that it's not worth the time.
- Qwertious 6y ago
  Plus, Microsoft is better off having the few prospective Linux-users to have experience tinkering with Windows rather than Linux, even if they don't pay for Windows directly either way. It means they're more likely to be happy using Windows for business IT infrastructure, which is where Microsoft makes its real money.
- toyg 6y ago
  > Microsoft doesn't really enforce Windows activation anymore Except an unactivated Windows, once past its trial window, will shut down after an hour of use, without warning. That's very annoying. MS absolutely does enforce activation. They likely won't come after you for using cracks (unless you have hundreds of corporate machines using them), but they will make your life awkward remotely, as they are entitled to by the EULA.
  - omg_ponies 6y ago
    This has not been true for some time. You can continue to use un-activated Win10 installs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Product_Activation#After_grace_period https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Product_Activation#A... You just can't change the wallpaper away from black, and there is a notice displayed on it.
    - snazz 6y ago
      You can change the wallpaper by right-clicking on an image file, just not through the personalization preferences.
  - dadrock 6y ago
    This is no longer the case.
  - SXX 6y ago
    > Except an unactivated Windows, once past its trial window, will shut down after an hour of use, without warning. Only LTSC Evaluation version gonna do that.
Osiris 6y ago
My brother built a PC and bought a Windows 10 key for $10 online and it worked fine.
vel0city 6y ago
You can use OEM licenses on Windows boxes you build yourself. The main difference with an OEM license and a retail license is that OEM licenses do not come with as much support. The idea is the system builder is supposed to provide the first level of support, while retail licenses are supported by Microsoft directly.
- 3np 6y ago
  Except that's a breach of the EULA and therefore comparable to piracy.
  - vel0city 6y ago
    I don't see where its a breach in the EULA to have the end user also be the manufacturer/builder of the system. Can you point out where its a breach? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/OEM/Windows/10/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.htm https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/OEM/Windows/10/UseT...

cercatrova 6y ago

People actually pay for Windows on desktops? That still surprises me. I know of course you do pay when buying a laptop, but Windows is basically free, there's a trial and you can just use an activator, or buy an OEM key for 10 bucks as the parent states.

snazz 6y ago

Many PC builders just don't activate Windows at all—other than a few occasional nags, Microsoft doesn't really enforce Windows activation anymore. It's just like how Apple doesn't crack down on Hackintoshing. Both the build-your-own PC market and the Hackintosh market are small enough that it's not worth the time.

Qwertious 6y ago
Plus, Microsoft is better off having the few prospective Linux-users to have experience tinkering with Windows rather than Linux, even if they don't pay for Windows directly either way. It means they're more likely to be happy using Windows for business IT infrastructure, which is where Microsoft makes its real money.
toyg 6y ago
> Microsoft doesn't really enforce Windows activation anymore Except an unactivated Windows, once past its trial window, will shut down after an hour of use, without warning. That's very annoying. MS absolutely does enforce activation. They likely won't come after you for using cracks (unless you have hundreds of corporate machines using them), but they will make your life awkward remotely, as they are entitled to by the EULA.
- omg_ponies 6y ago
  This has not been true for some time. You can continue to use un-activated Win10 installs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Product_Activation#After_grace_period https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Product_Activation#A... You just can't change the wallpaper away from black, and there is a notice displayed on it.
  - snazz 6y ago
    You can change the wallpaper by right-clicking on an image file, just not through the personalization preferences.
- dadrock 6y ago
  This is no longer the case.
- SXX 6y ago
  > Except an unactivated Windows, once past its trial window, will shut down after an hour of use, without warning. Only LTSC Evaluation version gonna do that.

Osiris 6y ago

My brother built a PC and bought a Windows 10 key for $10 online and it worked fine.

vel0city 6y ago

You can use OEM licenses on Windows boxes you build yourself. The main difference with an OEM license and a retail license is that OEM licenses do not come with as much support. The idea is the system builder is supposed to provide the first level of support, while retail licenses are supported by Microsoft directly.

3np 6y ago
Except that's a breach of the EULA and therefore comparable to piracy.
- vel0city 6y ago
  I don't see where its a breach in the EULA to have the end user also be the manufacturer/builder of the system. Can you point out where its a breach? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/OEM/Windows/10/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.htm https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/OEM/Windows/10/UseT...