Windows keys - legit source

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows keys - legit source - g2a or kinguin?

tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#177736 12-Aug-2015 21:35

Hi all

Have been searching around for the best options to upgrade friends and families PC's from Vista (yep - there's still a couple running that) to Windows 10.

These devices are capable of running Windows 10.

There appear to be some good prices for Windows 7 and 8 on sites g2a and kinguin. Of course once either of those is installed then a free upgrade to Windows 10 beckons.

Has anybody had experience with either or both of these sites? I see kinguin has buyer protection which (apparently) protects you if the trade goes tits up.

As an aside - I've been playing around with upgrading Windows 10 on a spare machine and as a test I performed a clean install of a pre-activated copy of Windows 8.1. Once up and running I got the prompt to download and install Windows 10, which I did, and it now appears to be genuine. The key has changed and I'm still waiting for a "this is not genuine" message to pop up, which hasn't happened yet.

No major issue for me because all of my machines are Windows 8.1, with an older Windows 7 machine lying around as well.

Thanks.

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302 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1365143 13-Aug-2015 00:25

Wouldn't buy if it was me.
Cheap Microsoft keys generally means MSDN keys being sold against TOS

reven

3743 posts

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#1365160 13-Aug-2015 07:17

I buy from Kinguin all the time, the sellers usually pickup the keys in sales and resell them etc.

They have buyer protection so I would buy a windows key from them. Maybe not from G2A though.

Ive probably bought about 30 games from Kinguin without any issues.

nathan

5695 posts

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Inactive user

#1365237 13-Aug-2015 08:43

the prices seem too low to be legit to me

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1365360 13-Aug-2015 10:43

nathan: the prices seem too low to be legit to me

Yep
Have a read through this http://www.polygon.com/2015/2/9/8006693/the-truth-behind-those-mysteriously-cheap-gray-market-game-codes

tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1365854 13-Aug-2015 19:45

Thanks fro all those replies.

Having read that link it seems that most if not all the producers of content are aware of this practice and only a couple have taken any steps to try and intervene.

If I needed a key right now I think I would have a crack through kinguin. They seem to be pretty trustworthy compared to g2a anyway.

It's all very interesting....

networkn

Networkn
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#1365908 13-Aug-2015 21:44

Kinguin is reputable in my experience, I have bought dozens and spend hundreds with them, never had a single problem. I don't buy windows from them, can't imagine doing so.

tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1366691 14-Aug-2015 22:50

networkn: I don't buy windows from them, can't imagine doing so.

This interests me. Why not? It's all just software so I don't understand the distinction.

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Sideface

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#1366700 14-Aug-2015 23:25

tukapa1:
networkn: I don't buy windows from them, can't imagine doing so.

This interests me. Why not? It's all just software so I don't understand the distinction.

Possibly because Microsoft have lots of expensive lawyers with very sharp teeth?

Sideface

shrub

775 posts

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#1366846 15-Aug-2015 12:28

I did this a month ago no issues i purchased windows 8.1 professional and then did the free upgrade to 10. Used G2A cost me $63.27nzd. Then i got office 2013 home and business for $149.98. Ive had no issues with licensing so far so good. Id do it again if i had to.

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek

#1366851 15-Aug-2015 12:53

Sometimes you can score them on Amazon, though most want to sell you a Dell OEM package. I got a Win7 Key (emailed through) from Bonanza.com, $60 bucks, no hassle.

networkn

Networkn
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#1366921 15-Aug-2015 14:35

Just because they arrive and activate doesn't make them legal or guarantee you won't have licensing issues in the future I believe.

shrub

775 posts

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#1366923 15-Aug-2015 14:40

if it dosent work out in the future ill just go back to the darkside. I tried to get it cheap cos i dont like paying retail for anything.

kotuku4

483 posts

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#1368520 18-Aug-2015 11:59

OK I have installed windows 7 typed in a key and it seemed happy, then installed 10 and it is operating fine. But activation failed, what is the issue?
I can see options to buy a license, but I currently don't see the need, am I missing something?

I like win 10 as it keeps my home desktop and a couple of laptops on the same OS and apps, I was Linux Mint 17.2 before.

What is the catch of not activating Windows 10?

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1368557 18-Aug-2015 12:44

kotuku4: OK I have installed windows 7 typed in a key and it seemed happy, then installed 10 and it is operating fine. But activation failed, what is the issue?
I can see options to buy a license, but I currently don't see the need, am I missing something?

I like win 10 as it keeps my home desktop and a couple of laptops on the same OS and apps, I was Linux Mint 17.2 before.

What is the catch of not activating Windows 10?

Coming in at the end of this thread I'm assuming you activated the Windows 7 install before upgrading because my understanding is that you need to upgrade from an 'Activated' Windows 7 machine. Someone should be able to confirm / deign this. if so then that maybe why it has not worked.

kotuku4

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#1368586 18-Aug-2015 13:19

Hi yes I can roll back the Win 10 install and recheck if Win 7 is activated properly. And I may do that this evening.

But my question is why bother? What If I don't active Win 10, there seems to be little benefit in activating?

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