I can't be bothered nor do I want any of their pre-loaded software.and
I have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal.
Let me start by saying that this isn't a thread about circumventing Microsoft activation systems or using dodgy keys, let's not turn it into one.
My situation is this. I have a legit copy of Windows 7 which I'm currently running on my desktop machine. I also have a HP laptop which came pre-loaded with Windows 7 but the hard disk was replaced so bye bye recovery partition. On the bottom there is a COA and OEM product key for Windows 7. I tried downloading the ISO from Microsoft's site however it refuses with that key and refers me to HP instead. I know I can order discs from HP, but quite frankly, I can't be bothered nor do I want any of their pre-loaded software.
I'm of the impression that since I have two unique COA's for Windows 7 I have essentially paid for two licenses and I'm entitled to install them using any media/keys I see fit (provided they are of the version which the COA applies). Whether Microsoft agrees with that notion, I really don't give a shit -- I buy it, it's mine, I do what I like with it.
My question is this: If I use the media and key from the physical copy I have (that is already installed on my desktop), will running it on another machine (connected to the network and the internet) cause any issues with one or the other? If so, can I change the license key in the registry for example to match the one stuck on the laptop? Has anyone run into issues with this?
I know with Windows XP, once the software was activated, that was it, no further checks were done and you could have 100 machines on the network running the same key and it wouldn't matter.
All you have to do is go and download a copy from ether Microsoft, HP or a Torrent site..(Not very safe), You also want to look at the COA sticker for something like,
Microsoft 7 professional HP OEM, Microsoft 7 Home HP OEM then you would search for that. find what you need,
Download it and put it on a CD/DVD/USB Thumb stick, Install, After that is all done it may or may not ask you for the product key if it does not then you will have to use this command below.
After you have done so you will have to activate it with the internet or phone activation window, if over the internet does not work then you will need to do it over the phone and that will take about
Click Start, type: CMD'
Right click CMD
Click Run as adminstrator
At the command prompt, type the following commands:
slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx (allows you to replace the current product key with the specified)
xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx - represents your product key
Hit Enter on your keyboard
Exit the command prompt
Restart your computer
With your other question windows 7 key will work on more then one PC however once one of the computers hit the internet and download
any update then that key will get put into a blacklist within Microsofts activation servers after that you have to buy a new key I have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal. [/quote]
Maybe that's how it works in USA, but you got the "cheap" price due to buying bulk, as an OEM or as a systems builder. The license is with the machine, and there isQuote from: HalcyonI have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal.
if you have a license key that's legitimate, then I don't see why there would be any issue.You have a license key for a HP bloatware edition, not the clean MS edition. When you were buying a computer you could have returned the HP version and bough MS retail version. They are not the same.
I have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal.
I can walk into any computer store an buy an OEMYou typically need to buy a piece of hardware as well (SD card will do) and they are actively trying to stop this practice.
I don't care if it's "technically" illegal or not. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a law abiding citizen who pays for the stuff I use. Whether they charge me $1 or $300 for a product is irrelevent.You caring here is irrelevant. I don't care for no peeing in public places law, it does not make it less of a law.
if you have a license key that's legitimate, then I don't see why there would be any issue.You have a license key for a HP bloatware edition, not the clean MS edition. When you were buying a computer you could have returned the HP version and bough MS retail version. They are not the same.
PS: I really don't care about MS, but don't try to justify your desire to violate the licensing terms. Just admit that it is illegal and go pirate the thing.
Windows sold with computers typically costs $99 or so, cheapest retail version is $199 and up. At least this was the case a few years ago when I was looking at this stuff.
I'm saying that I don't see what the big issue is about reusing a license keyMS does not get the money they thing they deserve.
Besides, if love following the law so much, wouldn't it be better to re-use a real key, rather than downloading an activator?"Better" is not the right word here. It is better to get a properly licensed copy.
I can walk into any computer store an buy an OEMYou typically need to buy a piece of hardware as well (SD card will do) and they are actively trying to stop this practice.I don't care if it's "technically" illegal or not. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a law abiding citizen who pays for the stuff I use. Whether they charge me $1 or $300 for a product is irrelevent.You caring here is irrelevant. I don't care for no peeing in public places law, it does not make it less of a law.
However this is not what I'm doing.Well, that's for lawyers to decide.
I'm saying that I don't see what the big issue is about reusing a license keyMS does not get the money they thing they deserve.
However this is not what I'm doing.Well, that's for lawyers to decide.
And since MS refuses to activate a new copy for you, your only move is to either order from HP or torrent it. If you need a blessing for the later, then you have mine.
That in itself is not illegal, doesn't make me a pirate nor a bad person.If that makes you sleep better at night, then fine.
they'll give you another license.They will not once they see that this is HP license. They will still send you to HP.
If you were to buy a car but I told you that you could only drive on certain roads or during a certain time of the day, you'd tell me to get fucked. This is no different.
Once you have to circumvent something, it is highly likely you are doing something illegal, even if it does not fell that way.
Using a different serial number or "tricking" software into working (when you own your own legitimate license) is not.But you don't own the license. How far this logic goes? If I have a license for Windows 95, can I ask for a key for Windows 7?
Using a different serial number or "tricking" software into working (when you own your own legitimate license) is not.But you don't own the license. How far this logic goes? If I have a license for Windows 95, can I ask for a key for Windows 7?
There is a difference in HP version and MS version, even if it is very small.
And again, you can justify this to yourself however you want, it does not make this practice more legal.
You paid for Windows, not for jumping through hoops.
LOL. You have been sucked into the very path you asked to avoid. :-) There are a few options mentioned. I'd stop replying at this point.
It's almost like people don't even read original posts.We do. You are starting with the wrong premise.
Whether Microsoft agrees with that notion, I really don't give a shit -- I buy it, it's mine, I do what I like with it.Microsoft does not, so your questions transforms into "how do I circumvent protection that MS put in place to highlight that disagreement?".
[EditionID]
[Channel]
OEM
[VL]
0Just remembered, if there is no ei.cfg file, then you must enter the license key during installation - there is no option to enter it later.
Just remembered, if there is no ei.cfg file, then you must enter the license key during installation - there is no option to enter it later.
Success!
I went down the path of deleting the ei.cfg file completely (since I had a valid product key anyway). I used a Windows 7 Ultimate DVD image and during the first part of the setup, it just asked me which edition of Windows 7 I'd like to install so I picked the version applicable to the COA that's stuck to the machine. After it had copied the files over and a reboot, it asked for the product key. I entered in the HP OEM key which it accepted and the product was activated without an issue.
This is exactly the solution I was after. A clean, legitimate (and legal) installation of Windows 7, using the original product key that came with the machine (regardless of what media I had/didn't have). It took a whole 5 minutes to delete the ei.cfg file and re-burn the DVD. There was no requirement to stuff around with HP to get recovery discs, mess around with registry entries, or bullshit to a Microsoft representative over the phone. Plus, for those who are sticklers for Software License Agreements, you'll be glad to know I'm fully compliant. ;-)
Thanks!
:-+
Now quick, delete this thread before the cops track you down!:scared:
I can't be bothered nor do I want any of their pre-loaded software.andI have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal.
Now quick, delete this thread before the cops track you down!None of this is secret knowledge. Here is a Microsoft Technet on the issue:
It is possible that deleting the ei.cfg is a minor EULA violation but I doubt if anyone knows for sure. Editing the ei.cfg is fine.
I have essentially paid for two licenses.One of them is OEM license, which you've got for cheap because of all the bloatware. So reinstalling another version of Windows instead of the one you have licensed is technically illegal.
The actual installation will be totally legal. The only thing that might violate Microsoft's licensing is the creating of an installation disk without the ei.cfg file. I don't think Microsoft care less - they make install disks without the ei.cfg file themselves and it doesn't let you do anything you cannot do with a ei.cfg file. They wouldn't want to waste time questioning the issue.It is possible that deleting the ei.cfg is a minor EULA violation but I doubt if anyone knows for sure. Editing the ei.cfg is fine.
Who cares? It's not against the law and that's all I care about. Whatever gets the job done I say. Thanks for your suggestion amspire!
Now quick, delete this thread before the cops track you down!None of this is secret knowledge. Here is a Microsoft Technet on the issue:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744535(v=ws.10).aspx
It is possible that deleting the ei.cfg is a minor EULA violation but I doubt if anyone knows for sure. Editing the ei.cfg is fine.
There are all sorts of ways you can install Windows legally - installing from DVD happens to be the slowest.
If I have to install Windows on several PCs for a client, I just create a Virtualbox PC with a VMDK C: drive using the correct Windows version but without entering any key. I do all the updates, install the programs the client wants, do any configuration the client needs. Install McCAfee and Nortons (just kidding). Shut it down. Make a snapshot. Run it and run Sysprep (included in Windows) in audit mode that will reboot Windows. Delete my current admin user plus all the accounts files. Finish Sysprep and shut it down. I do a Virtualbox clone of the Sysprep'ed Virtual PC to make a new clean copy of the Windows Sysprep VMDK file.
After 30 days or 3 days, the Virtualbox will say it has expired, but you can just reset it to have 30 days again. Simple command line instruction. So you can come back to this Virtual Machine in a year, get all the latest updates and Sysprep it again.
To get the PC running with Windows, clone the VMDK file to hard drive, put the drive in the PC and turn on. When the PC powers up, it asks for the Windows key, user name and password. Done! A fully up to date and legal Windows install that takes about 10 minutes a PC. 5 minutes for SSD drives.
Once you get the hang of it, it is very easy.
I've done things similarly, when I volunteered at a place, loads of ibm thinkcenters came through. Set one up, clone it to a network location, and roll it out, but unfortunately drivers don't always work and sometimes you are stuck doing a brand new install :/Quite often, you can install the drivers that the PCs will need in Virtualbox, and when the PCs start, it will find the drivers. If some drivers refuse to install, we just have to include them in a folder on the PCs and install them manually as a last step.
Yes, Microsoft tried to stop this here in Germany as well. But regularly failed in court.I can walk into any computer store an buy an OEMYou typically need to buy a piece of hardware as well (SD card will do) and they are actively trying to stop this practice.
I can walk into any computer store an buy an OEMThe weird thing about the way the OEM license is written for Windows XP (haven't checked later Windows), the company that purchased and installed the OEM license had to sell the computer to a second customer. You couldn't install the OEM license and use it within your company.
Yes, Microsoft tried to stop this here in Germany as well. But regularly failed in court.It's pretty logical the government has nothing to do with that. Whatever you do with your purchased copy isn't "illegal" i.e. against a government-instated law, it may not be anything else than a breach of contract.
In Germany an OEM license is equal to retail license. Probably in the complete EU as well. For licensing you have to consider the local laws.
If you violate your EULA you'll never get the cops to gome and get you, BUT as you're breaking the terms of the license you accepted to by using the product then if MS want to sue you they can and would likely win. It's simply only between you and them.No Microsoft won't win. The terms in the EULA which restricts OEM license to a piece of hardware are simply not valid. That's the point: EULA terms which are against the law are not valid.