Bloody Microsoft!! (Windows-10)

[GlennSprigg]

New laptop for the Missus. Told them, (a MAJOR company here in Aust.), I want NOTHING to do with
this 'latest' "Windows-10 'S' mode" which is very limited. It's stripped down, and only works with their
'Microsoft-Edge' browser, and can only install 'apps' from the Microsoft 'Store'.  I know you can select &
install Win-10-Home. However, they lied, and said the so called 'Signature Edition' they showed, was
NOT limited.  CRAP!!  NOTHING of the sort is installed, except the basic Win-10-S!! Which when looking
at the detailed 'Receipt' showed a component for... "In Store PC Service & Tune-Up" for $199 !!
Nothing has been done. Back to their Manager tomorrow!!   

[Simon_RL]

@GlennSprigg there are a few sites around where you can pick up Windows and Office licenses for about AU$30. Have been using keys from this site for a few years and never had a problems with activation and updates so I am guessing they are legit.

PM me if you want a link, I don't want to get in trouble for spamming so won't post a link here.

[bd139]

If you have something with a windows 7 pro key on it you’re not using try downloading and installing it on the machine from MS’ web site and using that. Usually works.

I regularly go round with my phone camera at the local tip or company skip and lift the product keys off the cases  Occasionally get a windows 10 pro as well 

[Benta]

This is my solution:

https://lubuntu.me

Works perfectly. And no M$ tax.

[wraper]

If you did a 30 second research, you would know you can get out of it by doing a few clicks  .

[wraper]

@GlennSprigg there are a few sites around where you can pick up Windows and Office licenses for about AU$30. Have been using keys from this site for a few years and never had a problems with activation and updates so I am guessing they are legit.

PM me if you want a link, I don't want to get in trouble for spamming so won't post a link here.

There is no free cheese  . Instead of paying for fraudulently acquired software keys by using stolen credit card data or single key resold to multiple users or both, you can simply pirate it to begin with. Because your copy will be just about as legal. Not to say your key may be revoked afterwards. Good luck buying from dodgy sites thinking you are getting a real deal. You are supporting thieves, not IP owners. IMHO pirating is less evil than supporting thieves.

[bd139]

This is one reason I lift genuine keys off scrap machines.

[edpalmer42]

@GlennSprigg there are a few sites around where you can pick up Windows and Office licenses for about AU$30. Have been using keys from this site for a few years and never had a problems with activation and updates so I am guessing they are legit.

PM me if you want a link, I don't want to get in trouble for spamming so won't post a link here.

There is no free cheese  . Instead of paying for fraudulently acquired software keys by using stolen credit card data or single key resold to multiple users or both, you can simply pirate it to begin with. Because your copy will be just about as legal. Not to say your key may be revoked afterwards. Good luck buying from dodgy sites thinking you are getting a real deal. You are supporting thieves, not IP owners. IMHO pirating is less evil than supporting thieves.

My understanding is that in the EU the courts ruled that when a system is being scrapped, the license key can be salvaged just like any other part of  the system.  Microsoft can't prohibit it.  Since Microsoft doesn't geo-lock their licenses, they have no way to say that the key is only valid within the EU.  Therefore, you can legally buy a license key that was salvaged in the EU and use it worldwide.  I did this a few years ago for one of my systems and it's worked since with no problems (Win 10 Pro).  At that time, there were pages of ebay listings for a key with instant delivery via email.  I don't see as many now and many of the prices are much higher than in the past, but there are still a few really cheap ones.

I have no connection with any sellers.

Ed

[wraper]

My understanding is that in the EU the courts ruled that when a system is being scrapped, the license key can be salvaged just like any other part of  the system.  Microsoft can't prohibit it.  Since Microsoft doesn't geo-lock their licenses, they have no way to say that the key is only valid within the EU.  Therefore, you can legally buy a license key that was salvaged in the EU and use it worldwide.  I did this a few years ago for one of my systems and it's worked since with no problems (Win 10 Pro).  At that time, there were pages of ebay listings for a key with instant delivery via email.  I don't see as many now and many of the prices are much higher than in the past, but there are still a few really cheap ones.

It's wishful thinking those are recovered keys from scrapped systems. With win 10 there is no OEM licence sticker with a key to begin with FYI. Also you are not allowed to resell/reuse OEM keys on different hardware, only retail. Nor that you get any proof of key ownership anyway. If you use such keys on your company computers, and BSA or law enforcement finds out, you will be screwed.

[newbrain]

Bloody Microsoft? 
I'd rather say bloody "insert name of the shop"!

They charged for a nothing done, and 199$ for clicking a couple of buttons it's outrageous in any case.

What has Microsoft to do with that? They sell different products for different targets.

I'm not a MS apologist, there are many and very good reasons to criticize them (despite their undeniable improvements), but in this case I really don't see the point.

[johnboxall]

Two minutes of research away from the sales person would have saved you a lot of grief and money.

Harvey Norman?

[Mr. Scram]

Another Windows 10 crying thread?

[maginnovision]

We'll need another sub forum soon. Call it the windows wambulance.

[edpalmer42]

My understanding is that in the EU the courts ruled that when a system is being scrapped, the license key can be salvaged just like any other part of  the system.  Microsoft can't prohibit it.  Since Microsoft doesn't geo-lock their licenses, they have no way to say that the key is only valid within the EU.  Therefore, you can legally buy a license key that was salvaged in the EU and use it worldwide.  I did this a few years ago for one of my systems and it's worked since with no problems (Win 10 Pro).  At that time, there were pages of ebay listings for a key with instant delivery via email.  I don't see as many now and many of the prices are much higher than in the past, but there are still a few really cheap ones.

It's wishful thinking those are recovered keys from scrapped systems. With win 10 there is no OEM licence sticker with a key to begin with FYI.

Who said anything about a sticker?  If a system has a key that can be recovered, it can be resold.  Of course, the seller might have to prove to the police that they aren't selling the same key over and over.

Also you are not allowed to resell/reuse OEM keys on different hardware, only retail.  Nor that you get any proof of key ownership anyway. If you use such keys on your company computers, and BSA or law enforcement finds out, you will be screwed.

You'll have to take that up with the court in the EU.  They decided that it can be resold.  Neither Microsoft, nor the BSA, nor law enforcement has any say in the matter since the keys were legally purchased.  All you'd need is an invoice.  As you stated, there is no sticker any more (in most cases) so even if you bought the licenses from Microsoft, all you'd have is an invoice.

Ed

[janoc]

You'll have to take that up with the court in the EU.  They decided that it can be resold.  Neither Microsoft, nor the BSA, nor law enforcement has any say in the matter since the keys were legally purchased.  All you'd need is an invoice.  As you stated, there is no sticker any more (in most cases) so even if you bought the licenses from Microsoft, all you'd have is an invoice.

Ed

That a key can be legally resold doesn't mean that MS can't revoke it. We were solving exactly that only a few weeks ago at work, with keys that were originally upgrades from retail versions of Windows 7. After upgrade Win 10 activated just fine, we have used it for years - but now when we wanted to reinstall Windows on new hardware after 8 years, no dice. The key was invalid, period.

The problem is that Microsoft started tying certain types of keys (so called "digital licenses" as opposed to full retail copies) to hardware and you are allowed to transfer it to a new PC only once. The same with OEM keys, those you can't transfer at all.

Calling support resulted only in being told that the licenses are invalid, despite still having Windows 7 DVDs and the stickers with the keys that went with them.

So what you are saying is perhaps technically valid but good luck trying to enforce it if your Windows suddenly refuses to activate because you were sold either a key that has been used before or a key generated by some keygen (most likely the case). Most people don't have the kind of money and time needed to go sue Microsoft over a cost of a 200 euro license.

[Zero999]

Fixed. Please don't keep putting extra line breaks in. It makes it harder to read. Resize your browser window, if you find it easier, but don't inflict it on everyone.

New laptop for the Missus. Told them, (a MAJOR company here in Aust.), I want NOTHING to do with this 'latest' "Windows-10 'S' mode" which is very limited. It's stripped down, and only works with their 'Microsoft-Edge' browser, and can only install 'apps' from the Microsoft 'Store'.  I know you can select & install Win-10-Home. However, they lied, and said the so called 'Signature Edition' they showed, was NOT limited.  CRAP!!  NOTHING of the sort is installed, except the basic Win-10-S!! Which when looking at the detailed 'Receipt' showed a component for... "In Store PC Service & Tune-Up" for $199 !! Nothing has been done. Back to their Manager tomorrow!!   

[tooki]

Fixed. Please don't keep putting extra line breaks in. It makes it harder to read. Resize your browser window, if you find it easier, but don't inflict it on everyone.

I’ve asked him repeatedly to stop doing this, including explaining why, but it’s a lost cause. We’re stuck with his cuckoo line breaks, scare quotes, CAPS YELLING, and other bizarre “get off my lawn!” formatting...

[wraper]

Who said anything about a sticker?  If a system has a key that can be recovered, it can be resold.  Of course, the seller might have to prove to the police that they aren't selling the same key over and over.

Again, wishful thinking. Licence is embedded into bios. There is no serial to recover.

You'll have to take that up with the court in the EU

And EU court said that you can resell retail software. Not resell something that came with hardware like OEM OS separately.

Neither Microsoft, nor the BSA, nor law enforcement has any say in the matter since the keys were legally purchased

Except they were not. If you did not properly obtain a valid licence, you can show your crappy invoices, cry as much as you want, but they will screw you without any lubricant.

all you'd have is an invoice.

On which they will laugh at. Since you purchased some dodgy key, not a valid licence. I looked at several such websites, and none of them even says you purchase a licence. They say you purchase a key.
Again, I'd rather pirate software all day long rather that bring my money into pockets of criminals. It's not only a copyright issue. It's a credit card an other types of fraud which cause real damage to both innocent people and IP owners. When licences are purchased by stolen credit cards, there are two options. Either card owner lost their money or there was a charge-back and then IP owner lost that money. It's not as simple a giving money back, there are some real monetary losses in the process.

[Mr. Scram]

Fixed. Please don't keep putting extra line breaks in. It makes it harder to read. Resize your browser window, if you find it easier, but don't inflict it on everyone.

It's NOT just the "line breaks" !!

Holy hell that's hard to do with the spell check and autocomplete fighting it.

[rdl]

I used to call it Windows 10 Scam, because the upgrade to regular Windows Home was extra cost. That upgrade is now free apparently, but there's no reverting. You should not have needed to pay any extra fee to the shop.

[Zero999]

Fixed. Please don't keep putting extra line breaks in. It makes it harder to read. Resize your browser window, if you find it easier, but don't inflict it on everyone.

I’ve asked him repeatedly to stop doing this, including explaining why, but it’s a lost cause. We’re stuck with his cuckoo line breaks, scare quotes, CAPS YELLING, and other bizarre “get off my lawn!” formatting...

Fixed. Please don't keep putting extra line breaks in. It makes it harder to read. Resize your browser window, if you find it easier, but don't inflict it on everyone.

It's NOT just the "line breaks" !!

Holy hell that's hard to do with the spell check and autocomplete fighting it.

I agree with both points, but there's no point whinging about it. We'll just have to add him to our ignore lists.

[Halcyon]

Does "S Mode" stand for "Shit" ?

[bd139]

Yes 

[Mechatrommer]

It's a credit card an other types of fraud which cause real damage to both innocent people and IP owners. When licences are purchased by stolen credit cards, there are two options. Either card owner lost their money or there was a charge-back and then IP owner lost that money. It's not as simple a giving money back, there are some real monetary losses in the process.

how do you know that? there are many other possible ways than what you've stated.

[wraper]

It's a credit card an other types of fraud which cause real damage to both innocent people and IP owners. When licences are purchased by stolen credit cards, there are two options. Either card owner lost their money or there was a charge-back and then IP owner lost that money. It's not as simple a giving money back, there are some real monetary losses in the process.

how do you know that? there are many other possible ways than what you've stated.

I cannot tell if it's true for any particular transaction but most of those keys are obtained/sold by fraudulent means. It's the same as for cheap game keys where this shady business is much larger. It works as follows. These key websites are a sort of marketplace which does not ask any questions. Then come sellers with keys who are never asked where these keys came from or if they were already used. And it's a very easy way how to legalize fraudulently obtained money. If they buy physical goods or directly transfer money, it's quite easy to find a perpetrator. If they obtain keys and resell those somewhere, not so easy since it tremendously obfuscates a flow of money. In any case, most of those keys do not make you a legal user and IP owner does not get money you paid. You are simply pirating software, and on top of it paying for this.

Examples:
https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/bethesda-is-deactivating-eso-accounts-due-to-fraudulent-keys/
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-26-it-looks-like-ubisoft-is-going-after-third-party-key-sellers
https://www.engadget.com/2019-10-30-csgo-fraud-loot-box-key-trades.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFLxoQkb5WzgxaGC-fUzDGXrfg5UoKAYBYDvjSDF7Nd0rpXVfrJgu9HAHBR1GisVZPZuZRsnCC17WXUZ2sq7prWnirftp2zKv6Qod_qrYKBPSBuks9TSWhWqaUb15bgUQioqcsr-Fm0oKmXOc8OF6TLHoLnD3mZwS7LtW7ANkkSl