I have recently purchased a Nuc which I'd like to install Windows 10 onto, I've looked at Office Works/Save On It, however prices seem to be $100+ for a license. Can any recommend a good seller on eBay or a reputable website that is good value for a license?
Thanks
BTW education edition of WIndows (which is the one usually distributed for free on OTH and Azure) is practically the same as enterprise edition, which is a bit more functional than professional edition. OTH and Azure also "sells" professional edition licenses which costs a bit of money (definitely cheaper than retail or normal OEM).
I believe legally it's not a problem to continue use those licenses after you're graduated.
Can you use the license key with any Windows 10 ISO that's downloaded from the Microsoft website?
If it’s Pro key then yes. You can try to install without a key first, then upgrade and activate with the actual key.
OTH and Azure should give you download to Edu ISO
@thisusernameistaken: Yup. Just finish the installation, then type in the key in settings app for activation. It should prompt you to upgrade to Education edition in the process, too.
@xmagic: The EDU email I used is not eligible so I'll just have to get a buy a retail key. Is there much difference between Home and Pro?
I tried activating a Windows 7 retail key but it didn't work but if you know a way to reuse a legit Windows 7 key, that would be preferred.
Yeah, nah, maybe.
That license is likely tied to your enrollment or employment in an educational institution.
Once those cease your license is no longer valid.
Read the fine print, check with your IT guys, check with Microsoft.
YMMV
Azure Student - Can use an EDU email to signup to an Azure Student account
I tried this, but it says "You can't sign up here with a work or school email address. Use a personal email, such as Gmail or Yahoo!" :-(
If you're not bothered by the ethical quandary of 'cheating' a multibillion dollar company, just get a $5-10 key off any number of cd key websites. They're retired OEM keys that will activate and work. I've done this for several builds over the years and never had anything happen.
If you are going to buy a 5-10 dollar key, you may as well do it the free way, because what you are getting is not legit.
Depends but I'd rather just spend the $5-$10, it's a QoL investment to just be able to download, punch in a code and be done in 20 minutes.
Just as quick the free way…
@follow: I was going to ask if it had changed, because it used to be a PITA. Then I looked it up and it has changed and is easy now.
This is what I used to think until I discovered the "free" way and it's like 1 Powershell command (for the technically minded)
@follow: That is definitely not 'as quick' as simply punching in a key you bought, legit or not. I'd pay $5 just to set this and forget.
Couldn't agree more. You're essentially funding someone in exchange of an activation that is definitely in the grey area legally, while there are plenty of other solutions that are as illegal as this and as easy to deploy as this that is absolutely free (and some of them are not just free as no charge, but also free as in open source).
What is as 'easy to deploy?' According to comments here, you have to root around in powershell commands and Github. And there's no guarantee MS can't just patch around this to nag you to activate your Windows like the good old days. All that to save $5? I'd rather punch in an OEM key and forget about it.
@SydStrand: vlmcsd + docker on your homelab server?
One line of command, up to 5 minutes and you're deployed? Also plenty of public servers if you wish to use.
If you have your own DNS server you can even set it up so that Windows Enterprise edition would activate itself upon network connection.
@SydStrand: Just get pre-patched ISO (even better with telemetry/rubbish pre-removed/disabled), burn to USB, install.
And rule number 1 of the seven seas: never mix money with piracy
Windows 11 sends all your data the first time (and continously) you get an internet connection. This data goes ALSO goes to 3rd party analysis and advertising companies.
I won't pay a TRILLION dollar company for me to be the product. I can be a whore, I won't be a stupid whore.
No it doesn't. There is telemetry, but it's not "all your data."
Don't lie.
brilliant— win 10 worked ,for the cmd option, many thanks hoey
MAK via KMS requires re-auth every few months, (at least it used to be) did it change?
this site can be shutdown and you're back to where you're started but hey, save $ eh?
Where to Purchase Windows 10 License?
Microsoft
Microsoft stopped selling Windows 10 licences at the end of January.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/23/23567281/microsoft-window…
“Don’t feed the troll”
You don't need a licence… 99% of the features work without it being activated.
The 1% being the persistent 'Activate Windows' Watermark
It’s nobbled in some some pretty annoying ways without being activated. Like not being able to change audio input and output devices. And I think power management is borked too. I’m sure there’s other annoying stuff too besides the nag watermark.
correct, a few features are greyed out.
Another useless, uninformed comment from jv.
gamers-outlet.net might have it 🤔
Either for Windows 7, 10 or 11 whichever is cheaper at the time, as same key can be used on Windows 7 and above
IIRC for personal use transplanting an COA from an old computer is entirely legal - these are really easy to find.
For example, buy a SFF or USFF computer on the cheap which comes with an OEM copy of Windows 7/8/8.1/10 license, install Linux on it for home lab or networking, then use the license on your main gear.
Otherwise feel free to buy OEM pack of Windows license. Those white sleeves. It comes with everything you need - DVD, manual and most importantly, COA sticker to tell off lawyers. Just check if the seal is broken when received. Again, you can buy OEM copies for Windows 7/8/8.1 for cheaper price but they all have upgrade path to 10 and 11.
Funny story - I bought some hardware a few years ago which the seller was using some foam envelopes as padding in the packaging - it turns out those envelopes are actually OEM upgrade licenses for Windows 7 -> 8.1 from Dell. LOL
No it's not legal. OEM copies are only for the lifetime of the machines they're deployed on.
Please understand I don't make a stand on people doing this, do as you please, but I've been part of the refurbishment program from Microsoft and transplanting OEM keys is not legal and in fact in a lot of instances will not work.
Sorry just had to correct the "entirely legal" bit, again, I really don't care if people do this or not.
I read differently - note the process how you obtain the COA can place the case into a legal grey area. The user purchases a computer comes with OEM COA, then use the COA on a computer owned by the same user, doesn't necessarily counts towards "transfer to a third party" which is indicated in EULA. However if someone sells COA on it's own without the originally licensed device, it triggers such condition and is a breach.
Also the keyword here is personal use. This would certainly won't work under commercial terms, which a properly sourced first-hand OEM package would suffice very likely. Not sure how MS works towards SMBs but there may be even better discounts if those business go through a authorized business partner. However, for SMBs they can always purchase computers comes with OEM copies of Windows and Office (non-home edition) to avoid legal issues entirely.
Look, read it how you will, we were trained on this in order to get the logo signature from Microsoft, which is still in my email signature.
Again I really don't care what people do to be honest. It was all made VERY clear in the training though.
@Ramrunner: That's true. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure your training is professional and well founded.
I'm discussing legal terms and consequences and I doubt any form of personal use will ever get into legal trouble with MS. It's all about commercial anyway.
I think I got mine from eBay. Groupon is also selling one for $35. https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/spieleheld-limited-6
For OEM version - if you don't mind spending about Euro 25, https://www.kinguin.net/
Buy the one with online activation - more reliable. Otherwise you have to call M$.
If you know anyone with an EDU email, generally they can help you get a free product license through the following options:
OnTheHub - Depends on the University or school and whether they participate in paying for the Windows 10 Licenses
Azure Student - Can use an EDU email to signup to an Azure Student account, and then navigate through to Education -> Software and there will be a page of licenses which should include Windows 10.
The product keys aren't tied to the edu email, and can be used to activate any Windows 10 install.