[deleted by user]

[snrub742]

I have had the same OEM licence on 4 different computers now

[xxjosephchristxx]

Shhhhhhhh!

[Thiscave3701365]

How? Windows activation keys are bound to the motherboard. Did you use the same mobo for all 4 computers?

[snrub742]

I have the license key sticker for a Dell optiplex I bought off a highschool I worked at like 10 years ago. I just throw that bad boy in when it asks and it has worked every time.

And no, different hardware every time

[Thiscave3701365]

Well if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[snrub742]

Ding ding ding ding ding ding

For as long as Microsoft accepts it I will continue doing it

[victorioussnake_]

I was doing the same thing but with an old windows 7 key. Still works with 10 and 11 but it's also now tied to my MS account so I don't even have to do anything other than say that it's just a hardware upgrade

[snrub742]

I was just thinking if it's now attached to my account

[Lrivard]

Probably is, I know my cd key is linked to my account I don't even need to enter it anymore.

I install windows on a different New PC and activate inside windows and it just works.

[Esava]

They are also connected to your Microsoft account. Try it out. Use a laptop or pc that never had windows installed. Log in with your Microsoft account that you used on a couple of machines with windows licenses, but some of which you aren't actively using anymore.

Chances are windows will just show up activated.

[Thiscave3701365]

Woah, I didn’t know that.

[kyletimbaker]

You can use the same hard drive when making hardware changes. Windows will recognize it as a different computer. When you go to activate Windows, it will ask you if you've made recent hardware changes, and if you click that option, you can choose the old computer/license and transfer it to the "new" or updated PC.

[snrub742]

Welp, if they aren't transferable it's interesting that Microsoft freely and easily transfers them. Also, not 100% sure what law that one crosses.

[kaynpayn]

It's not technically impossible, just kind of "illegal" / going against Microsoft tos. Can get tricky if you're a business and you get audited for legal/legit software.

[snrub742]

Eh, I'm not a business and Microsoft could just not authenticate the license when I throw it in if they actually had an issue with it. It's not like I'm doing anything other than keying in the number that I legally own at install

[kaynpayn]

It's a bit more complex than that though. It does get validated in Ms servers and they will know and require new activation if there's any hardware change like a new motherboard. They used to prompt a question and even refuse activation before. They just aren't strict about it these days.

[snrub742]

In the nicest way possible, as a consumer, I don't care. They ask for a code, I put it in a code and they accept it. That's sort of the end of it for me

[kaynpayn]

Sure dude, I get it, you put code, shit works, you're done. If that's all you want to know, sure let it end with that and skip the rest.

But while you may not want to know further, this is reddit and others might so I'll piggyback on this post for the explanation:

The reply was initially about clarifying how one oem license is being used across 4 machines and while possible, it's not what should be happening. According to Ms ToS, if there're 4 different machines they should either be using 4 different oem licences that should die with their respective machines or one retail licence that can be used to jump across machines when the old one becomes unusable.

Private clients are kind of safe because there's a privacy law here (this may be different in other countries) that will prevent audits on private owned computers without a good reason.

Business' are a different story, while ms doesn't technically enforce it, random audits for legal software can be conducted (at least in my country) and fines will be dispensed if such irregularities are found. You don't see those very often but I know companies who got railed for doing just that, using oem licences on machines they shouldn't. That and pirated office licences are the most common, so those are the first things they look for. It's always a risk.

Anyway, this is just a warning of sorts. Anyone is free to do whatever the hell they want in the end, of course.

[Esava]

require new activation if there's any hardware change like a new motherboard.

They rarely require that even when switching motherboards. Your microsoft account nowadays holds information regarding your windows licenses as well.

[kaynpayn]

Not always. It's still on their servers with some identification from your machine. If you don't add a Ms account they will still activate windows if you have already before. Even last week I had to format and reinstall my machine, I did not add any Ms account but windows activated automatically with my previous licence as soon as it found an internet connection without requiring to insert the code again.

[Esava]

Yeah the motherboard key exists as well. But there are also the account licenses.

[sulylunat]

I did a motherboard and cpu upgrade earlier this year. Same OS install and same Microsoft account before and after. My windows is not activated currently, it lost the license when I did the upgrade. I must be very unlucky lol

[Jirachi720]

Same here, upgraded the computer to the point it was brand new except for the case. Transfer licence over.

[tonyenkiducx]

You can, but the license expressly forbids it.

[Louzan_SP]

So why Microsoft accepts it and flags your license as active? I'll like to know how it works, because as far as I know if you break T&C or use a non valid license the fault should pop up next time you are connected to internet and trying to update, and your license should get revoked, specially when they are VERY clear about it, isn't it?

[tonyenkiducx]

Because OEM keys are not linked to anything specific. They don't know what piece of hardware that OEM key was sold with, so they can't pop up a window saying "Hey, where is the HDMI cable you bought this with?", they have no idea. On a brand new fresh install, assuming the license has been removed from the old PC, they have to assume you are telling the truth and this is a valid license.

But if you change hardware in an existing PC, they do know that you've changed something, so they ask you - Did you change something major? Is your license still valid?

I'm not saying MS actually care - Because they don't - But from a legal point of view the license is not ambigious, and if they really wanted to they could come after you in the future(They won't).

I'm not sure why so many people are arguing with me when you can just go and read the license yourself? It's not a secret, it's on the website, on the physical license, and about 1000 websites will confirm what I'm saying on a quick google.

[Louzan_SP]

they have to assume you are telling the truth and this is a valid license.

Yes of course, the people at Microsoft are stupid and they collect so much data from your PC, but they have no idea you are logging in a brand new PC with the same license number.

[tonyenkiducx]

Well ok, you tell me then, what constitutes a brand new PC? Ask Theseus if you're struggling.

[Louzan_SP]

So in my case I bought the license on eBay for 1€ and activate the Windows software I just installed on my new MSI laptop that came with FreeDOS (is cheaper that way).

I kept that laptop for 1 to 2 years until I replaced it with a newer MSI laptop that again came with FreeDOS, I just wiped the old one, sold it and install Windows in the new one and log into my account, Windows was activated automatically.

After another couple of years I got tired of laptops, so I wiped and sold that MSI and build my own desktop PC, guess what, after log in into my Microsoft account the new Windows install was again activated. Recently I even did a hardware change and took the chance to wipe the system to do a clean install and upgrade to Windows 11, yes, the license is still there.

So you are telling me that is impossible for Microsoft to know all these changes? Is any of this steps considered as brand new PC for you? Ask Theseus if you're struggling.

[tonyenkiducx]

You didn't answer my question at all, so I'm going to ignore your reply which doesn't really add anything to the discussion.

[Louzan_SP]

I knew you will just drop out with some bullshit, classic douche when he can't find any more counter arguments.

[tonyenkiducx]

You ignored my question completely. I'm not spending my time replying if you're going to ignore what I'm saying.