eBay

goodpointrecycling · ‎01-22-2019

Is it against any rules to sell a computer that has a Windows operating installed on it but does not have a product key?

For instance if someone removed there product key and puts it on a new computer, or if the key is warn off the computer or is not built into bios.

Thank you

smashedbanana · ‎01-22-2019

Not sure about E-bay.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, so long as you did not reload the OS you are fine. Key can be retrieved from the OS using magicjellybean of whatever.

If evan a part of the COA is visible they can retrieve it using that. Even the part number i.e. X15-53895

If you wiped and reloaded the OS (to resell) even with the manufacturer's media it's not allowed. Only the manufacturer can reload with an existing COA. Super stupid. You must apply a Windows for Refurbished PCs license. Even if it's the same version. i.e. Windows 7 Pro and Windows 7 Pro for refurbished pcs.

goodpointrecycling · ‎01-22-2019

From everything I understand I can reuse a Key as long as it is the Key from the computer it is on.

But I am more interested in knowing if I can install Windows on a computer and sell it without it being activated, leaving it up to the buyer to buy a key however they choose to do so.

It may just be easier to include a blank HDD, if ebay is against this.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎01-22-2019

@goodpointrecycling wrote:
From everything I understand I can reuse a Key as long as it is the Key from the computer it is on.

But I am more interested in knowing if I can install Windows on a computer and sell it without it being activated, leaving it up to the buyer to buy a key however they choose to do so.

It may just be easier to include a blank HDD, if ebay is against this.

I would sell it without an OS.

A buyer sees Windows, that's all they see. They don't see that it's not activated. You'll sell it and get a return because it won't work because it's not activated.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

zamo-zuan · ‎01-22-2019

@goodpointrecycling wrote:
Is it against any rules to sell a computer that has a Windows operating installed on it but does not have a product key?

For instance if someone removed there product key and puts it on a new computer, or if the key is warn off the computer or is not built into bios.

Thank you

I'm not sure that eBay has rules on this, but I'm sure they would help a buyer with a return if they had any complaints regarding this.

Windows 10 works just fine even if you install it without a key, though. It claims you just can't personalize your desktop, etc. But if you r-click an image, you can still set it as your background.

That's not to say eBay CSR's would not force a return if a buyer complained about this. But as a buyer, you have little to worry about if it doesn't come preinstalled, as you can go to Microsoft's site and create a boot USB for Win10 and not have to pay anything.