Is it possible to buy windows and install it on my two computers?

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
"properly activated with a genuine product key" or by "other authorized method."

The focus here is on activating with a genuine product key, not a pirated one.

What is "other authorized method"? When a company allows me to download it's software for free and also use it pretty much unhindered INDEFINITELY, I consider that as an authorization. And more so when it does nothing to stop me from using it, something that is extremely easy to do on untampered software.

Show me a case where Microsoft has gone after an individual or a small business for using its free software without activation. Until then, you are free to consider English as my 2nd, 3rd, or 'n'th language.

Whatever. If you want to violate the EULA that's on you. Encouraging others to violate the EULA on this forum is against the forum rules. The EULA says that in order to Windows 10 or 11 it has to be activated. Using the "free" version without activating it violates the EULA.

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
Whatever. If you want to violate the EULA that's on you. Encouraging others to violate the EULA on this forum is against the forum rules. The EULA says that in order to Windows 10 or 11 it has to be activated. Using the "free" version without activating it violates the EULA.

Is English not your 1st language?

Where did I ask anyone to violate the EULA?

The EULA is ambiguous and open for interpretation, and I have explained why that is so.

Your last statement is just your interpretation, not the final word.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
Is English not your 1st language?

Where did I ask anyone to violate the EULA?

The EULA is ambiguous and open for interpretation, and I have explained why that is so.

Your last statement is just your interpretation, not the final word.

There is NOTHING ambiguous about "You are authorized to use this software only if ... the software has been properly activated ..."

If you see this, you are not authorized to continue using Windows:

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
What is so hard about going to a website and paying $15 for a discounted product key? What do you have against using Windows that has been activated using a purchased product key?

10 minutes and $15 and you at least have an install of Windows that MS themselves have activated. Using a product key that Showkey Plus will likely identify as OEM.

I say that as long as MS lets it happen, why not. I paid way more tan $15.00 for a copy of Windows 11 because I wanted to make sure I was being honest with using my first mini-PC that came with a MAK key and I still wound up with a MAK key. I'm wondering if MS is letting MAK keys to be sold so they can get as many devices as they can running Windows 11.

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
What is so hard about going to a website and paying $15 for a discounted product key? What do you have against using Windows that has been activated using a purchased product key?

10 minutes and $15 and you at least have an install of Windows that MS themselves have activated. Using a product key that Showkey Plus will likely identify as OEM.

Showed as being a MAK key when I used Showkey Plus. I didn't try a generic key to see what would happen.

TheMystic · Jan 3, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
There is NOTHING ambiguous about "You are authorized to use this software only if ... the software has been properly activated ..."

If you see this, you are not authorized to continue using Windows:

View attachment 49046

If your interpretation of EULA is correct, then this is how the 1st sentence in red should read:

You can't use Windows without activation with a genuine product key.

And Microsoft should simply lock the system after a reasonable time has passed, like 15 days or 30 days. Allowing the user to continue using it as is INDEFINITELY simply means that Microsoft has authorised such use.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
If your interpretation of EULA is correct, then this is how the 1st sentence in red should read:

You can't use Windows without activation with a genuine product key.

And Microsoft should simply lock the system after a reasonable time has passed, like 15 days or 30 days. Allowing the user to continue using it as is INDEFINITELY simply means that Microsoft has authorised such use.

That's like saying if I am driving 60 mph or kph in a 20 mph school zone and there is no police there to stop me then I am authorized to do it. Anyway, I will go back to a previous reply: whatever floats you boat.

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
You can't use Windows without activation with a genuine product key.

You can't legally use Windows without activation with a genuine product key would be more accurate.

cereberus · Jan 3, 2023

TheMystic said:
This is about activation using piracy, and distribution of pirated activation keys, which do not constitute a licence. More importantly, it is the distributor who has been sued for piracy and copyright violations, not the end user.

There is nothing about using the free version of Windows downloaded from Microsoft without activation.

There are two aspects about the limited nature of the ambiguous EULA:

1. Microsoft is happy to allow users to continue using their free version without activation, as long as there is no tampering. Because it should be extremely simple for Microsoft to block the untampered software, if required. Why is Microsoft not doing that if there was an unacceptable violation?

2. The cost of litigation will far exceed eventual realisation of compensation for damages, if at all.

Winuser said:
I say that as long as MS lets it happen, why not. I paid way more tan $15.00 for a copy of Windows 11 because I wanted to make sure I was being honest with using my first mini-PC that came with a MAK key and I still wound up with a MAK key. I'm wondering if MS is letting MAK keys to be sold so they can get as many devices as they can running Windows 11.

For crying out loud, the real issue is not whether MS come after you!

OP is talking about licensing company pcs. Companies can be subjected to audits - my company always insists on the right to audit its potential suppliers.

One of the key questions sometimes asked is for a company to provide evidence of legitimate licence purchase before they are accepted as a supplier of services.

My company will not do business with companies that cannot provide such evidence - they will not be seen to be dealing with companies that potentially use pirated software.

So if OP bypasses EULA, they run risk of losing work or even being blacklisted. This is the real issue!

Frankly, the company would be stupid for the sake of a couple of hundred pounds or so to not comply with the EULAs.

For avoidance of doubt, there is absolutely no suggestion that OP would even consider this but misleading him e.g. saying MS do not care could put his company at risk unintentionally.

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In a similar vein, I had a copy of MS Office on my PC licenced to me by company A which I could use for work by Company B but I decided that was unacceptable as the copy was licenced to me SOLELY for work to Company A. Had I been audited by Company B, I would run risk of Company B refusing to allow me to do work for them, and of course if Company A found out, I would have licence revoked, and never be able to work for them again.

So I purchased a legitimate Office 365 licence, and even informed Company A I no longer required a licence from them, providing evidence of my official licence.

bobkn · Jan 3, 2023

Quite a long thread, considering that the answer to the original question could be summarized: NO.

It has made me decide to never post about Windows licensing again. I just don't have it straight, outside of my own very limited experience.

I suppose that the OP will never respond as to what OS may already be installed on the PCs being purchased for his/her/its business. It wouldn't be necessary to purchase Windows if they're appliance PCs, or built by most white box sellers.

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

cereberus said:
OP is talking about licensing company pcs. Companies can be subjected to audits - my company always insists on the right to audit its potential suppliers.

As I understand it, the OP is asking if they can use one license on more than one computer. The subject has drifted off. My comments are geared more toward what is available to buy besides the official Windows keys released by MS and if MS is OK with it.

Winuser · Jan 3, 2023

bobkn said:
I suppose that the OP will never respond as to what OS may already be installed on the PCs being purchased for his/her/its business. It wouldn't be necessary to purchase Windows if they're appliance PCs, or built by most white box sellers.

If the computers the OP is using came with an older version Windows preinstalled, they don't need to buy anything. I don't know if they ever posted if their computers came with a older version of Windows or not. I'm not rereading this post. If the computers did, all they have to do is update to Windows 11. I myself find it interesting to read about all of the ideas of what is legal or not to run Windows.

NavyLCDR · Jan 3, 2023

Winuser said:
As I understand it, the OP is asking if they can use one license on more than one computer. The subject has drifted off. My comments are geared more toward what is available to buy besides the official Windows keys released by MS and if MS is OK with it.

See my new thread here!

Buying a "discount" Windows 10/11 Pro product key experience

UPDATE: After contacting this company's customer service regarding the problem with the original product key (see below), they immediately sent me a new product key which did, in fact, activate Windows 11 Pro with no issues at all. Their customer service responded immediately to my...

www.elevenforum.com

Wynona · Jan 3, 2023

Scott said:
I recently upgraded my motherboard and CPU. It activated on first boot, no call to MS required.

Yep, sometimes no call necessary, sometimes you have to call. No rhyme or reason . . .

TheMystic · Jan 4, 2023

When the maker locks some features behind an activation license, and doesn't prohibit you from using the software with all its limitations in the free form, there is no question of piracy here.

Piracy is when you unlock those features without paying the maker for it. This can be either by tampering with the software or using a stolen product key.

Microsoft allows this simply because they still get to collect a lot of data (and make money from it), and also ensure that the competition is kept at bay. By using the software in its 'free' form, you're still making a payment as far as the maker is concerned.

jimbo45 · Jan 4, 2023

danezeq said:
i'm opening a new business so need to install a new copy on a new copmuter. but i wonder if should buy another copy for the laptop, and for another desktop i'll gonna have.

Hi there
If running a business make sure things are 100% legal.

In most tax jurisdictions too you might be allowed Capital allowances for the cost of computers (hardware) and Windows (Software) plus you might also be able to reclaim Sales / V.A.T / other taxes as well.

Most countries are quite sympathetic at this time to helping small businesses so don't ignore any support from Govt, city, state etc. It's not worth when running a business to use products from dubious sources -- they might fail just when you HAVE to deliver to customer fast.

Any sensible accountant should be able to help with tax, allowances etc etc (fees for accountant also allowable against tax).

Cheers
jimbo