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I know I'm not legal right now using windows 7, but...

P

Papa Hogan

Senior member
I bought a copy of windows 7 OEM and if I read the fine print at that time, I did not remember the details. I bought it because it was cheaper than retail and I'd always used OEM versions of windows prior to SeVeN.

In order to use the 7 OEM, I'm required to install it using their OEM preinstallation kit. I tried to find somewhere to download the OPK, but it turns out you have to be a Microsoft Partner to get it. So I tried to become a partner and came across some questions in the application that if I answered with any one of the options they gave, I would be lying. Especially the one about the primary business focus of my business. The company I work for does not primarily focus on the options they give. I mean, there is an IT department and without them, the computer I use would not function properly for my work, but I would not consider it a primary focus for the business. I don't want to tick an option that is misleading or deceitful. Windows 7 installation requirements seem much stricter than previous versions. It appears that windows 8 licensing is more lenient toward users who want to build a computer for themselves and others.

Do you think Microsoft will care if I keep files that were created during my illegal grace period? I fully plan to send back one unopened OEM windows 7 home premium package and replace it with windows 8 licenses for 3 or 4 computers. I hate piracy and I'm ashamed to have done it. If I beg forgiveness, will they have mercy?
 
They'll probably laugh that you begged forgiveness considering that you paid them something and didn't maliciously just install a cracked version.
 
Forgive me if this does not answer your question: All versions of Vista, 7, and 8 come with a grace period, OEM or not. The installation will continue weather or not you put in a key. If you have a legit key for a first installation, you have nothing to worry about. People buy OEM copies all the time for the reasons you described.

So put in your key (if you haven't done so already), activate, and enjoy.
 
Papa Hogan said:
I bought a copy of windows 7 OEM and if I read the fine print at that time, I did not remember the details. I bought it because it was cheaper than retail and I'd always used OEM versions of windows prior to SeVeN.

In order to use the 7 OEM, I'm required to install it using their OEM preinstallation kit. I tried to find somewhere to download the OPK, but it turns out you have to be a Microsoft Partner to get it. So I tried to become a partner and came across some questions in the application that if I answered with any one of the options they gave, I would be lying. Especially the one about the primary business focus of my business. The company I work for does not primarily focus on the options they give. I mean, there is an IT department and without them, the computer I use would not function properly for my work, but I would not consider it a primary focus for the business. I don't want to tick an option that is misleading or deceitful. Windows 7 installation requirements seem much stricter than previous versions. It appears that windows 8 licensing is more lenient toward users who want to build a computer for themselves and others.

Do you think Microsoft will care if I keep files that were created during my illegal grace period? I fully plan to send back one unopened OEM windows 7 home premium package and replace it with windows 8 licenses for 3 or 4 computers. I hate piracy and I'm ashamed to have done it. If I beg forgiveness, will they have mercy?
Click to expand...

Is this a troll post or are you being serious? The last paragraph is really over the top.
 
Zaap said:
?? Personally, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Click to expand...

1. Installing the OEM version of Win7 on a system you already own, like you would with the Retail version, is illegal

2. The OEM version is tied to a specific computer. Taking it with you when buying a new system is illegal.

3. The OEM version is only to be sold with a new computer system. Buying it on its own is illegal.

4. Nobody cares, including Microsoft.
 
JimmiG said:
4. Nobody cares, including Microsoft.
Click to expand...

There was another similar thread a while back where someone was freaking out over buying like four different versions of Windows 7 OEM/System Builder/etc trying desperately to stay within the boundaries of a legal installation and just couldn't do it.

Yes, it's illegal to install a System Builder key for Windows 7 for personal, home use.

Yes, there are dozens and dozens of perfectly legal and absolutely asinine ways to get around it. Things like having a MS partner install it for you and then selling the PC to you for a penny.

No, Microsoft has no way of knowing if you installed it absolutely perfectly to their guidelines. Nor do they care if a home user one-off installs an OEM key for personal use.

If you call MS support, they're more than likely going to just say "its a valid key, just use it." I've had MS support literally walk me through the registry hack to install Win7 Upgrade media as a fresh install with absolutely zero questions about whether or not it was actually an upgrade install or if I had a legal xp/vista key to be pairing with it. As long as it's not a bootleg key, they genuinely don't care.
 
If Microsoft would change their policies and prices, and make the upgrade process easier, they wouldn't have so many people still on Win XP Home. Just sell a downloadable legal full version for $29.99 like Apple and be done with it. All the real money is in corporate licenses anyway. Very few people buy a retail copy of Windows for their personal machines, even if they can figure out how to do it legally.
 
^^^I think that's what Microsoft is moving toward isn't? With Win8 moving forward I thought I read they want to release a yearly OS "upgrade" at a substantially lower price instead of the release model they are using now.
Maybe I misread the article though....it's been known to happen a few times over the years.😀
 
I have a question. I have a Dell OptiPlex with Win 7 home premium and if I reformat the computer and stick Ultimate on there and use the CD key on the computer will that work? I'm thinking no.
 
John Connor said:
I have a question. I have a Dell OptiPlex with Win 7 home premium and if I reformat the computer and stick Ultimate on there and use the CD key on the computer will that work? I'm thinking no.
Click to expand...

The CD key on the side of the computer will not work, for any edition of Windows.

The volume CD key Dell uses for OEM installations of Ultimate will work if you have the matching SLIC certificate installed on your system.
 
What??? I just bought a Dell computer on eBay and when I turned it on it went through a first boot process and it wanted the CD key so I copied the CD key from the side of the computer and entered it and it worked. I then chose to activate Windows and it activated over the Internet.
 
Probably because the key on the side matched the edition of windows... ie xp pro key and xp pro install.

In your previous question with a Home Premium key and Ultimate install, then no because its not a Ultimate Key.

Now if you format and install HP, the yes the key would work
 
John Connor said:
What??? I just bought a Dell computer on eBay and when I turned it on it went through a first boot process and it wanted the CD key so I copied the CD key from the side of the computer and entered it and it worked. I then chose to activate Windows and it activated over the Internet.
Click to expand...

VLKs are edition specific.
 
JimmiG said:
1. Installing the OEM version of Win7 on a system you already own, like you would with the Retail version, is illegal

2. The OEM version is tied to a specific computer. Taking it with you when buying a new system is illegal.

3. The OEM version is only to be sold with a new computer system. Buying it on its own is illegal.

4. Nobody cares, including Microsoft.
Click to expand...

OK, here's the plan for 2 pc's: If I'm not supposed to install the OEM version on an old system, I need the upgrade version from XP home. On the OTHER system, I should be able to install the OEM I have. I want to see if I can get some computer repair shop that's a Microsoft Partner to download the OPK for me (if that's legal) and install it that way. Will that work?
 
Seriously, I think Microsoft would rather have you install an illegal version of Windows 7 than to buy a Mac or install Linux.
 
I would not even sweat it, you went as far as to pay money for it, not your fault they have stupid EULAs with all these catches that make it illegal even if you paid for it. I say just run with it and don't worry.

Microsoft has to stop making it's licensing scheme so complicated.
 
Papa Hogan said:
OK, here's the plan for 2 pc's: If I'm not supposed to install the OEM version on an old system, I need the upgrade version from XP home. On the OTHER system, I should be able to install the OEM I have. I want to see if I can get some computer repair shop that's a Microsoft Partner to download the OPK for me (if that's legal) and install it that way. Will that work?
Click to expand...


It's not. They would have to buy the computer from you, buy the OEM copy of Windows 7 from you, install the OEM copy on your computer via the OPK with the strict intention of reselling this computer, then resell the computer back to you for it to be technically "legal." Odds are any shop you take it to is going to tell you the same thing: just install the damn thing and dont worry about it. Or, y'know, charge you an arm and a leg and do it anyway to the point you should've just bought a retail copy 🙂
 
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