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Cheap key for Windows 10 — is it legal?

For a key for Windows 10 Professional, Microsoft today charges about $200. But on the Internet, you can easily find websites that promise the same key for $12 or even less. It would seem that there are significant savings, but do not rush to succumb to the temptation.

How-to Geek

Why are they so cheap?

Why do the prices for the same keys differ so dramatically? The answer is simple: websites that sell cheap keys for Windows 10 or Windows 7 do not legally obtain them directly from Microsoft. nine0003

At best, these keys simply come from other countries where Windows licenses are cheaper. These are the so-called «grey market» keys. They are real, but were originally intended for users from other countries. For example, there was a time when in China a Windows license cost mere pennies.

Some keys may have been purchased with stolen credit card numbers. The criminal illegally obtains the numbers of several credit cards, uses the money stored on them to buy a bunch of Windows keys on the Internet, then resells these keys at a reduced price through third-party websites. When credit cards are declared stolen and chargebacks occur, Microsoft will deactivate the sold keys and no longer use them. The money that people paid for them remains with the criminal, while the buyer loses both the money and the coveted key. nine0003

Some of the cheap keys can be educational, ie. intended for students (but they were obtained fraudulently). Others may be corporate, and therefore not resold individually.

On a number of websites, you can even purchase a completely fake key or one that has already been used on several systems that have been blocked by Microsoft. Moreover, on such sites, attackers will most likely try to steal the number of the card you use to purchase the key in order to restart the fraudulent game with credit cards. nine0003

Do they work?

So, all these cheap keys were initially obtained fraudulently. But you are probably more concerned about another question: do they work?

They often work… for a while.

We once bought a Windows 7 key from one of these sites for about $15. The operating system worked flawlessly for about a year. After that, Windows began to issue messages that we «may become a victim of software piracy.» Our Windows license was no longer «genuine». nine0003

In other words, at some point the key we bought was flagged by Microsoft as bad. It is likely that this key was originally purchased with a stolen credit card number and eventually blacklisted on Microsoft’s servers. So it stopped working and we had to buy a new one. The only thing we bought with our $15 was experience.

Your key may never work at all. It can work for a month. Or it may never be blacklisted and serve you for many years. How lucky … It all depends on the background of the purchased key, but you will never know this in advance. nine0003

These keys are not legal

There is no legal way to get a $12 Windows product key. It’s just not possible. Even if you are lucky and your new key will last forever, buying such keys is unethical.

By purchasing stolen keys, you support criminals who steal credit card numbers. Or encourage people who abuse programs designed to help students, and thus help to close such programs.

Be suspicious of places where you see cheap keys

Cheap Windows keys are often found on resale sites such as G2A (G2deal), Kinguin and many other small sites. These sites also sell «grey» video game keys, which tend to be of dubious provenance and may be revoked in the future.

However, you may encounter this problem on many websites. Even on marketplaces like Amazon.com, eBay, and Craigslist, you’ll often find vendors selling Windows 10 or Windows 7 keys for too low a price. Just because it’s Amazon doesn’t mean the $40 Windows 10 key sold there is legal. Amazon is a huge market, and, alas, there are unscrupulous sellers there. nine0003

You may be able to win a dispute with Amazon.com after purchasing a broken key from Amazon.com. However, if the purchased key worked for a year and only then was withdrawn by Microsoft, Amazon may not want to help you.

How to get Windows 10 for free

Let’s say you need a license for Windows 10 and a cheap key is all you can afford. In this case, we recommend that you simply don’t buy Windows 10.

We’re serious. It’s better not to buy Windows than to buy it through one of those dubious sites. nine0003

You can install and use Windows 10 without a key. At the same time, you will constantly see watermarks on the screen, and the operating system will pester you from time to time with its reminders of the need to purchase a license. However, you can still use Windows without paying anything or providing a product key.

This is a good solution for installing Windows for software testing purposes. It’s also a good temporary reprieve if you’ve just bought a PC and can’t afford to purchase an operating system license just yet. nine0003

Later, when you’re ready to buy Windows 10, you can pay for your upgrade directly from the Windows 10 Store.

How to save money on Windows 10 keys

quite legal ways to get it much cheaper. For example, Amazon sometimes sells legal OEM licenses for Windows 10 Home directly from Microsoft for $99 (the regular retail price in the Microsoft Store for this product is $139).$). It’s certainly not $12, but still… Authorized shops that sell real, legal licenses often drop prices on Microsoft products, so you might be able to find a cheaper option if you look around carefully.

Even better if you have an old Windows 7 or Windows 8 key. You can install Windows 10 with this old key. Microsoft will give your PC a free «digital license» for Windows 10.

If you already have a license for Windows 10, Settings will help you move the key from one PC to another. This means that if you are upgrading to a new hardware, you can take your existing license with you. nine0003

Some users are also eligible to participate in programs that help you get a key cheaper. For example, students can get cheaper (or free) keys for Windows 10 through their universities.

How about an OEM version of Windows?

You probably already know that there are different versions of licenses for Windows, the most common of which are the «full version» (aka «boxed») and «OEM» (aka «assembly»). A «box» license distributed through retail is usually significantly more expensive, an OEM license is cheaper, but it is tied to one PC. Many of the genuine keys sold on online retailers such as Amazon are OEM keys. nine0003

Unfortunately, Microsoft’s secret licensing terms seem to prevent people from using OEM licenses on their own PCs. The OEM license should only be used if you are building a PC to sell it, not to use it yourself. In fact, Microsoft has changed its licensing policy back and forth over the years, and the way it’s dealt with in the «License Agreements» has always been very confusing.

Many computer geeks who build their own PCs continue to buy OEM versions of Windows for them, and we don’t blame them. Microsoft has never tried to stop them, although the license agreement formally forbids this. In fact, Microsoft continues to sell OEM licenses to people building their own PCs without prior warning of licensing issues. nine0003

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Software Licensing

Software , and hereinafter I will call it periodically software, can be divided into two groups: free and commercial . Free — it’s free, everyone can see its code, add it at their discretion, and even give it away. nine0003 There are also shareware licenses , but this is rather a combination of a free and commercial license with conditions set by the author. Here I will tell you what commercial licenses are, because this is my profession and I want to share knowledge so that everyone understands what you are paying money for. Commercial licenses are of two types: License for version — unlimited in duration, but only the purchased version can be used. In some cases, older versions may be used. And it is also important that not all old versions are supported, therefore, they do not work on new operating systems. When switching to a new version, you can upgrade, it is much cheaper than a new purchase. The license is perpetual. nine0108 Subscription — limited in duration, but you can install newer versions that are released during the license period, and older ones that are officially supported. Subscriptions are renewed for a new period with good discounts. Supported version — when updates are released, technical support is provided. When updating, so-called “bugs” are fixed — errors in the software, discovered vulnerabilities are closed, useful settings and functions are added. New versions are usually released when it is no longer possible or practical to incorporate new technologies into old code. And the interface is changing to meet the new requirements and desires of users. nine0003 When you purchase the software, we will send you a «license key» . This is actually a common phrase, because different manufacturers use different methods to activate products, even more than one. It can be a license file, key file, key file, activation code, serial, authorization, registration number, username with password, user ID. But this is the technical side of the delivery. Don’t forget legal. nine0002 Itself License , or License Agreement, i.e. what everyone agrees to without reading when installing the software contains not only the name of the software, quantity, subscription period, registration data, but also Terms of Use . According to them Copyright holder , he is also a vendor, he is also a software manufacturer, transfers to the user not the software itself and the license key, but the so-called “Non-exclusive rights to use”: you cannot change the code, “hack”, decompile, divide into parts, exceed the number of used copies, sell, distribute registration data to everyone, and even more so upload it to the Internet. nine0003 But you can make as many copies as you like for storage. If you have a reorganization, you can transfer the license to another person with the permission of the Copyright Holder, but only in its entirety, without dividing by number. Usually the manufacturer agrees, you just need to write an official letter with signatures and seals of both parties. I’ll upset you a little, but for losses and breakdowns that occurred during the use of the software, the Copyright Holder is not responsible, nor are we, official representatives. We tell, explain, advise how to do everything right and even remotely do it for you with your permission. In complex cases, we turn to the vendor for clarification. nine0003 So why, if there is free software, then commercial licensing still lives and thrives? The main reason is money, but not self-interest. Developers are people and they need to eat, and dress, and live somewhere, and much more to do. Again, grow and develop professionally. And free software is written mainly by altruists who have reached a professional level in programming and system administration, or think that they have reached it. nine0002 Very rarely do they think about the universality of programs and user-friendliness. Often you have to install the necessary drivers manually or even refuse to use some equipment, you have to put up with extremely limited features and a poor interface. I’m not talking about correct work in boundary cases, when it is necessary to set large parameters, a large load. Often the program is given away for free so that you try to work and report about “bugs” and “features”. For feedback, they promise to give an already debugged commercial version. Well, if you have the time and desire, be a beta tester. nine0003 And a few words about pirated versions of . Now the Internet is full of cheap or free license keys, crackers, broken versions, etc. etc… are good because they are free. Bad: there is no guarantee that a broken key will work, it may suddenly stop working; there is no guarantee that the program will work: it may turn out to be a distribution kit of unknown origin with «additional» functions, bookmarks, or an unfinished beta version; nine0108 one must systematically spend time searching the Internet for unlicensed keys; no technical support and advice; no information about the release of new versions and patches; in case of problems with government agencies, the use of unlicensed software will also be presented; Some providers and service centers refuse to accept claims for traffic and warranty repairs if they find out that the software is unlicensed. nine0108 © 2017 Zaostrovnyh Hope. When using site materials, an active link to the source is required.

Question: Anti-virus companies write viruses themselves to sell programs later… Answer Evgeny Kaspersky: «It’s scary to think about what the Ministry of Emergency Situations is doing.» Question: How is the number of licenses calculated? Answer: It depends on the License Policy of the Copyright Holder. This may be one license for several computers (mailboxes, etc.), or there may be several licenses for each computer separately. nine0003 Question: How are the keys supplied? Answer: Similar to license calculation. This may be one key for several computers (mailboxes, etc.), or there may be several keys for each computer separately. Question: I don’t know what program I need to buy so that it has everything I need and that it is not expensive. Answer: We publish the most popular product and version comparisons on our website: Product Comparisons. If you could not make a choice, tell us what features you need, we will help. nine0003 Question: Why did I receive an invoice for the software without VAT? Answer: Based on: Part 4 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Article 1 of the Federal Law of July 19, 2007 N 195-FZ «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Regarding the Formation of Favorable Tax Conditions for Financing Innovation Activities», clarifications of the Federal Tax Service, subparagraph 26 of paragraph 2 of article 149Tax Code of the Russian Federation with the following content: “2. Not subject to taxation … sale (as well as transfer …) on the territory of the Russian Federation: 26) exclusive rights to: programs for electronic computers, databases, as well as the rights to use the said results of intellectual activity on the basis of a license agreement. On 27 февраля, 2023 By alexxlab Sonstig