Cheapest way to legally buy Windows 8, 8.1 or 10?

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Talkiet

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#196217 23-May-2016 15:56

I've inherited a device with a dodgy copy of windows and would like to put a legal copy of Windows on it. I am happy to buy it a new HDD or whatever to qualify (in someone's eyes) for OEM if that's the best option.

No, Linux won't work. I want Windows.

What's the cheapest way to get a legit copy of a reasonably recent version of Windows in my situation?

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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255 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1558048 23-May-2016 16:10

I bought a Windows 7 Pro key off of Ebay a while back for NZD$30. It worked fine and has since been upgraded to Windows 10.

Unfortunately the seller doesn't exist anymore, (I wonder why? :/ )

PC: 5800X3D/32GB/RTX3070

Car: Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205

mattwnz

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#1558049 23-May-2016 16:10

Mightyape has it for $155 at http://pricespy.co.nz/redirect.php?prisid=549952754&ev_category=736&ev_item=3230623 on a usb stick. I am guessing it is a OEM version? but it doesn't say you need to buy anything.

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#1558055 23-May-2016 16:32

i have heard success storys from people buying on G2A, I cant say i have ever used them personally so unsure on how authentic it would be. I would suspect their buyers protection would cover any dodgyness though.

Quick skim over current prices there, ild probably go win7 -> 10 path.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

ludez

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#1558056 23-May-2016 16:37

Reddit software swap

loceff13

1065 posts

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#1558063 23-May-2016 16:51

As people have said get windows 7 or higher(whatever is the cheapest) and upgrade. Maybe put a wanted thread in the buy/sell bit here.

The cheapest way is the oem keys on ebay which are from dubious sources(ie reselling academic keys) for a fraction of retail pricing.

mattwnz

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#1558066 23-May-2016 16:57

Aren't you breaching micorsofts T&Cs by buying an OEM key off ebay, as shouldn't it be purchased with hardware? I would have though the academic licenses would be too.

stocksp

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#1558067 23-May-2016 16:59

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=OSYMSO8683&name=Microsoft-Windows-8.1-64bit-OEM-Eng-Intl-1PK-DSP-O

PB tech currently has Windows 8.1 OEM for under$140. Need to upgrade to 10 by the end of July though

Equinox IT

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lNomNoml

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#1558073 23-May-2016 17:03

http://www.kinguin.net/

Been buying from them for well over a year now, can't really say if it's legal or not, all I know is every Windows license I have bought from them has activated no problem.

bigalow

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#1558110 23-May-2016 17:35

windows 8 8.1 or 10 System Builder version (same as oem) of amazon

PhantomNVD

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#1558123 23-May-2016 17:53

Buy a cheap old win7 machine from Trademe and use the sticker?

Technically you might need to use the box and 'upgrade' the Mobi/CPU/RAM, but Tbh I don't think MS care much at this stage and simply want the market share they once had or they'd be charging for w10 upgrade too...?

zespri

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#1558125 23-May-2016 17:56

PhantomNVD: Buy a cheap old win7 machine from Trademe and use the sticker?

Technically you might need to use the box and 'upgrade' the Mobi/CPU/RAM, but Tbh I don't think MS care much at this stage and simply want the market share they once had or they'd be charging for w10 upgrade too...?

That's risky. The number can be tied to the BIOS certificate or it has already reached activation limit.

Those stickers are not supposed to be reused with different hardware, so if that fails it will be no surprise and just a waste of money.

toejam316

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#1558130 23-May-2016 18:02

Those cheap Key only things from ebay and grey market key resellers are cheap for a reason - usually they come from MSDN accounts bought with dodgy credit cards, and the accounts expire soon after. Are they legit Windows key? Yes. Are they legitimately purchased? Questionable. Best bet is definitely pick up an OEM copy.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

cruxis

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#1558143 23-May-2016 18:28

I went ecodrop and photoed a bunch of windows vista/7 sticker keys on some dumped pcs and tried them out. I got lucky and one worked. Its Successfully upgraded to windows 10 since.

Talkiet

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#1558144 23-May-2016 18:29

cruxis:

I went ecodrop and photoed a bunch of windows vista/7 sticker keys on some dumped pcs and tried them out. I got lucky and one worked. Its Successfully upgraded to windows 10 since.

Chuckle - I guess you are recycling :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

zespri

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#1558148 23-May-2016 18:45

cruxis:

I went ecodrop and photoed a bunch of windows vista/7 sticker keys on some dumped pcs and tried them out. I got lucky and one worked. Its Successfully upgraded to windows 10 since.

Nice one!

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