Illegal to resell used copy of Windows 8 without the Certificate of Authenticity?

[Dave3000]

I recently purchased Windows 8.1 Professional and now I don't need my retail copy of Windows 8 Professional Upgrade since I only have one PC. About 4 months ago I threw away the retail box and manual that came with my Windows 8 because I didn't think that I would ever resell it and I hated the designed of the retail packaging and so I kept the discs and key in a CD binder. Since I don't have the retail packaging/manual anymore I don't have the Certificate of Authenticity. According to US law, would it be illegal for me to resell my used copy of Windows 8 Professional Upgrade retail version without the certificate of authenticity?

 

[Elixer]

Stupid question, but, why didn't you just upgrade to 8.1 pro from 8 pro ? It was a free upgrade, and you could do a clean install of 8.1 as well.

As for selling it, I suppose to would be OK, I think the only time it is tied to the machine is if it is a OEM version, but, I haven't read the EULA in a long time.

 

[Dave3000]

I prefer doing clean installs. The free upgrade to 8.1 from 8 is just an upgrade, not a clean install and it took too long to download the upgrade and the Windows 8 updates before downloading the upgrade even on my 25 Mb connection. Wouldn't MS give Windows 8 users access to a Windows 8.1 ISO by now if Windows 8 users were entitled to a full version of Windows 8.1? Workarounds to get the Windows 8.1 ISO don't count in my opinion. I reinstall Windows about once a month to keep my system clean and want to minimize downtime and truly have a clean install of an operating system.

 

[ViRGE]

I recently purchased Windows 8.1 Professional and now I don't need my retail copy of Windows 8 Professional Upgrade since I only have one PC. About 4 months ago I threw away the retail box and manual that came with my Windows 8 because I didn't think that I would ever resell it and I hated the designed of the retail packaging and so I kept the discs and key in a CD binder. Since I don't have the retail packaging/manual anymore I don't have the Certificate of Authenticity. According to US law, would it be illegal for me to resell my used copy of Windows 8 Professional Upgrade retail version without the certificate of authenticity?

According to the Windows EULA, it would be non-compliant to resell your copy without the CoA.

 

[code65536]

Would Microsoft provide a replacement CoA if you asked? Surely their records would confirm that the key is indeed a genuine retail key. I suspect misplacing, accidentally discarding, or otherwise losing the CoA is sufficiently non-rare that they probably have a way of dealing with it.

And what about people who buy it digitally? I never got a CoA when I bought W8 digitally, directly from Microsoft.

It doesn't make sense for them to be inflexibly nitpicky on these things when their goal is to get more people to go legit, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to help you out if you explain your situation to them.

 

[ViRGE]

Would Microsoft provide a replacement CoA if you asked? Surely their records would confirm that the key is indeed a genuine retail key. I suspect misplacing, accidentally discarding, or otherwise losing the CoA is sufficiently non-rare that they probably have a way of dealing with it.

And what about people who buy it digitally? I never got a CoA when I bought W8 digitally, directly from Microsoft.

It doesn't make sense for them to be inflexibly nitpicky on these things when their goal is to get more people to go legit, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to help you out if you explain your situation to them.

The CoA is the hardest part of the package to counterfeit, which is why it's also held in such high regard by Microsoft and is strongly suggested to consumers that they not buy Windows software without it. Having it is more about protecting the customer than it is pleasing Microsoft.