Buying Windows 8 key now for a build later, can I "register" it until then?

[tracerit]

There are quite a few people selling Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 keys on reddit for $15, I bought one for my build at $30 last week and now they're down to $15, even $8 for Windows 8. These are legit keys bought bulk for computer repair shops and they're just selling them out.

Since they're so cheap, I'm thinking about buying one for my dad who plans on building a computer sometime during summer. Is there anyway for me to register or claim it until then? My main concern is that the key maybe resold or voided somehow during that time.

 

[ggadrian]

Are they legit?

Can you PM or post here any links?

Thank you.

 

[ViRGE]

Microsoft doesn't sell Win8 stand-alone OEM keys for $15, period. Large OEMs get the OA 3.0 keys, and small shops/OEMs don't get keys for cheap. You're being scammed.

 

[Matt1970]

As Virge said you are being scammed, and I would question the one you already bought.

 

[WilliamM2]

My main concern is that the key maybe resold or voided somehow during that time.

Yet you think they are legit? I think you already know they aren't legitimate.

 

[Steltek]

Microsoft doesn't sell Win8 stand-alone OEM keys for $15, period. Large OEMs get the OA 3.0 keys, and small shops/OEMs don't get keys for cheap. You're being scammed.

+1

Microsoft has the ability to deactivate any key they choose. Most of these cheap keys were obtained from services like Technet, MSDN, or from volume licenses that are only good as long as the license fee is paid. In short, key is worth about as much as a cracked Windows install downloaded from a warez site.

Given that Microsoft has the capability to blacklist keys, it will be interesting to see how many folks are going to be in the market for new Windows and Office licenses later this year when Technet goes dark.