Is This Legal?

[Surutcra]

I know this sounds odd but I'd like to know if it is legal to install cracked versions of windows xp on my own computer if I own a legitimate copy of windows xp pro. If so, would it also be legal to install these on other peoples computers while being paid for repairing a computer as long as that person had a legit copy of windows xp?

here is a cookie for the first reply

 

[lxskllr]

If it doesn't come from MS, you aren't licensed to use it. Do they care if you put it on a personal machine which has a valid license? I doubt it. Strart selling it to others, and I think their Care-O-Meter will start rising.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

Originally posted by: Surutcra
I know this sounds odd but I'd like to know if it is legal to install cracked versions of windows xp on my own computer if I own a legitimate copy of windows xp pro.

Is it legal, probably if it came down to a court case... But it is breaking the contract (EULA) with Microsoft.

If so, would it also be legal to install these on other peoples computers while being paid for repairing a computer as long as that person had a legit copy of windows xp?

No, that will get you in lots of trouble. If Microsoft finds you doing this then be prepared for possible legal action against you.

If they have a legit copy of Windows XP then you just need to get the appropriate Windows XP disc that will match with their key.

For example, if they had a retail copy then you'll need a copy of that disc. It doesn't really matter how you obtain this copy. What you are buying is the license and Microsoft doesn't care if you make 1000 copies of the software as long as you aren't try to sell pirated software to people or reusing the same keys for different computers.

The same is true if you've got a Dell or HP Windows XP disc. These can easily be obtained but I'm not going to go into details.

 

[RebateMonger]

You don't think your client would care the first time a "Your copy of Windows is not Genuine" comes up?

I've seen that happen to a couple of new clients, and they weren't very happy with their old IT vendor. Fixing the problem always costs LOTS more than simply installing fully-legal versions to begin with. Software is always much cheaper than the cost of installing it and fixing it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Would it be legal to use an "all in one" XP install CD (which I don't have, but I've heard through the grapevine that they exist), as long as you use a customer's legitimate license key? That would save having to procur each one of the different flavors of XP (Home/Pro, OEM/Retail, unsure about any SP differences, since there was that issue with SP2 and SP3 keys being different.)

 

[ecom]

Another issue is that if you are using a cracked version, what is the source of this disc? Can you ensure that the software doesn't have any unauthorized malicious code that has been added by third parties that could potentially harm your clients?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Would it be legal to use an "all in one" XP install CD (which I don't have, but I've heard through the grapevine that they exist), as long as you use a customer's legitimate license key? That would save having to procur each one of the different flavors of XP (Home/Pro, OEM/Retail, unsure about any SP differences, since there was that issue with SP2 and SP3 keys being different.)

I'd say no. Like I said above, if it doesn't come from MS, they don't like it. I have a CD wallet full of various XP discs that I use for other peoples machines. Some are mine, some have been scavenged, and some I acquired. I prefer to have original discs where possible, but you gotta do what you gotta do when something needs to be fixed NOW. I'd recommend doing what I do, and keep all your O/S discs in 1 easy to find area. That way you can grab the set when you have to fix another machine away from home.