Legal Windows Xp or 7 Download? (Will buy Activation Code)

Mik James · Nov 7, 2013

I'm wondering if it is legal to download xp or 7 and then purchase an activation code from ebay?

It would need to be a clean install to a blank drive that is currently running linux.

spirit · Nov 7, 2013

You cannot legally purchase activation keys without the installation media unless you are buying the product key and downloading the software directly from Microsoft.

PCunicorn · Nov 7, 2013

Plus it is possible for a activation code off eBay to be fake.

Mik James · Nov 7, 2013

Then i guess i'm going with a disc copy, unless I can clean install the version of windows 8 i mentioned in my other thread.

voyagerfan99 · Nov 8, 2013

eBay isn't a good source to buy software. There's a lot of pirated copies out there.

Mik James · Nov 8, 2013

Well I'll just have to stick to sellers that look legitimate and avoid red flags.
I can't afford to be paying full price for the latest and greatest windows 8.1 and it doesn't sound like the new windows is really all that great.
Better to wait and see what directx 12 brings to the gaming world.

PCunicorn · Nov 8, 2013

Newegg sells W7, plus I have used windows 8 myself. It's a great OS, just takes a little more getting used to then 7. But nothing to bad, plus if you really miss the start menu just download Pokki or Classic Shell. I will repeat what Voyager said, but with caps. Caps get everything across.
DO NOT BUY OFF EBAY.
Why?
Because of the absolute ridiculous mix of pirated software and legititmate software. I say it's ridiculous because there is quite a lot of legit software, and quite a lot of pirated software. Red flags could include
Selling from China
Description looks fishy
Feedback states this guy sells pirated software

But a knowledgeable person could still get away with it, like they sell from the US, and have a perfectly legit looking description, i.e.

I am selling this because I was going to put it on my laptop, but Windows 8 came out and I bought that and am selling this. Never used.

If I wanted to sell fake software, I would do something like that. Don't buy off eBay.

S.T.A.R.S. · Nov 8, 2013

I buy from eBay all the time.And I never EVER got cheated.Not a SINGLE time.
But I guess that is because I am ALWAYS careful when buying things from there.
There are few things to watch on the seller BEFORE buying anything from them.

Not everyone on the eBay is a scammer lol.

Mik James · Nov 8, 2013

My plan is to stick to legitimate sellers that are likely just moving old unsold stock.

If I can get a sealed copy of windows xp or vista for 30$-40$ while copies of 7 and 8 are ~100$ on newegg, i'd prefer to take my chances on ebay.

Thank you for mentioning the red flags to look for though, i'll keep them all in mind.

spirit · Nov 8, 2013

Just remember when buying software (especially on eBay), 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is'.

I'm not saying you will definitely end up with pirated software if you buy on eBay, but you just need to be careful. Look at the seller's feedback, look at where the item is coming from, and look closely at the description and any pictures which the seller posts.

PCunicorn · Nov 8, 2013

Well, just make sure to not get XP. Its EOL. if you arent gaming I would just get a Linux distro which are free (most of them at least) like Ubuntu.

Mik James · Nov 9, 2013

Funny you should mention that cause I just bought a sealed copy of windows xp

Directx 9 is fine for now and my graphics card is still supported.
I've been trying various linux distros with Wine and it isn't worth the trouble for gaming.

Okedokey · Nov 9, 2013

Mik James said:
I'm wondering if it is legal to download xp or 7 and then purchase an activation code from ebay?

It would need to be a clean install to a blank drive that is currently running linux.

Mik James · Nov 9, 2013

Yes, I saw similar isos on softpedia.

Unfortunately someone at the beginning of the thread stated it isn't a legit way of aquireing windows.

I'm not really sure who to believe at this point but as far as I know I just bought a legit disc version of Windows xp.

Okedokey · Nov 9, 2013

Mik James said:
Yes, I saw similar isos on softpedia.

Unfortunately someone at the beginning of the thread stated it isn't a legit way of aquireing windows.

I'm not really sure who to believe at this point but as far as I know I just bought a legit disc version of Windows xp.

Digital river is the Microsoft source. These are as legit as you can get. They will work with any associated legitimate key and are the ISO files directly from Microsoft. Anyone who tells you otherwise has no clue.

Get a key, download the ISO and burn it to a DVD or USB, and you're good.

Mik James · Nov 11, 2013

So i bought xp off of ebay from a legit seller with decent feedback but based off the pictures in the ad it appears to be an oem version.
Is the seller supposed to sell a harddrive or other component along with the software so I can legitimately make use of it?

Here is the ad: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Windows-Xp-H...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item27da979438

There is no mention of oem in the description but the pictures appear to be of an oem version.

S.T.A.R.S. · Nov 11, 2013

Why don't you simply send him a message and ask him?
That is what I did tons of times when I wanted to be 100% sure...

DMGrier · Nov 11, 2013

PCunicorn said:
Well, just make sure to not get XP. Its EOL. if you arent gaming I would just get a Linux distro which are free (most of them at least) like Ubuntu.

+1

what will be interesting is by the end of 2014 with the steam box being built on Linux we may not be recommending Windows for even though reasons unless the user is dead set on it

.

Mik James · Nov 11, 2013

S.T.A.R.S. said:
Why don't you simply send him a message and ask him?
That is what I did tons of times when I wanted to be 100% sure...

I did, but he seems to have no clue whether or not he is going against ebay policy.
Other sellers have Windows xp oem bundled with a computer component and they state in their ad that it is neccesary in order to comply with ebay policy.

The seller I bought it from doesn't even mention that it is oem in the ad, the only indication that it is oem is one of the pictures posted with the ad.

Maybe it's best to wait until i get the item to confirm that it is oem but i'm not sure where to go from there?

I thought oem versions are for resale only with a computer or specific component it was bought with.
If I don't have that component am I going against Microsoft's oem license policy?

DMGrier said:
+1

what will be interesting is by the end of 2014 with the steam box being built on Linux we may not be recommending Windows for even though reasons unless the user is dead set on it.

That's if it gains popularity and they don't lock down games specifically for their Steam Os preventing other Linux based distros from playing the ported games. Here's hoping it does work out though. I would love to be able to play all my games on linux and Wine just doesn't seem to have enough support to keep up to date with new game and Directx releases.

spirit · Nov 11, 2013

Yeah, to get around 'loopholes', new OEM software should really be sold with a piece of hardware (usually something ridiculous like a SATA cable or a fan or something), but I'm not sure about selling used copies. I don't even know if all the vendors who sell new OEM software even bother selling it with a small piece of hardware anyway these days.

So long as it works and it's activated, I seriously wouldn't worry.

Legal Windows Xp or 7 Download? (Will buy Activation Code)

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