New 12700K Build initial installation setup questions

bobkn · Mar 18, 2022

spartanz1080 said:
I don’t know what you mean a violation I can’t buy this and use it on my new pc?

https://www.amazon.com/Windows-11-Home-Bit-1Pack/dp/B09MYJ1R6L

You can buy it and use it on your own PC.

You aren't supposed to, though. That sort of license is intended for use on a machine that is built to be sold to someone else. (It's aimed at small, local PC builders.) I tried to find a link that clearly stated that, but I was unsuccessful.

There is no enforcement of that, though.

If you break that part of the license agreement, there should be no consequences to you whatsoever. Windows will activate, and you won't be hearing from Microsoft's attorneys.

spartanz1080 · Mar 19, 2022

bobkn said:
You can buy it and use it on your own PC.

You aren't supposed to, though. That sort of license is intended for use on a machine that is built to be sold to someone else. (It's aimed at small, local PC builders.) I tried to find a link that clearly stated that, but I was unsuccessful.

There is no enforcement of that, though.

If you break that part of the license agreement, there should be no consequences to you whatsoever. Windows will activate, and you won't be hearing from Microsoft's attorneys.

People have been buying windows off Amazon and Newegg for ages and activating windows with the key for the computer they are building Im sure Microsoft known this for forever . it can’t be illegal I literally thought that’s why they sold those to system builders

bobkn · Mar 19, 2022

spartanz1080 said:
People have been buying windows off Amazon and Newegg for ages and activating windows with the key for the computer they are building Im sure Microsoft known this for forever . it can’t be illegal I literally thought that’s why they sold those to system builders

As far as I know, it's not illegal. If you use one of those packaged OEM licenses on a personal machine, you'd have no worries. You would still be violating the EULA, which is not the same as breaking the law. As far as I know, Microsoft has never sued anyone for using one of those OEM licenses on a personal PC.

This goes back to Windows 7 in 2009: System Builder Licenses That was a change from earlier Windows releases, but the licensing terms haven't changed for 10 or 11.

I'm not sure why I bother with this post. Just buy the OEM license, and pocket the difference from a retail license. Whether you'd be able to transfer it to a new machine later, I can't say.

NavyLCDR · Mar 20, 2022

spartanz1080 said:
Where do you recommend I buy win 11 key from and can I just wipe my OS drive by formatting it in the windows install screen

Why don't you wait on buying a Windows 11 key (and don't pay extra for Windows 11, they are the same product keys as for Windows 10) until you check and see if your current Windows 10 product keys will work?