An OEM version of Windows is tied to the motherboard by way of a hash key, which I assume is stored in the firmware, so the statement that the identifier could be "virus-like" is complete nonsense.
Licensing FAQ (already posted by Ignatzatsonic earlier).
That sounds good to me! :)
They have tried to cover that as well with the following verbiage, "Must be preinstalled on a PC and sold to another unrelated party."
Licensing for Hobbyists
Ok, I build it, sell it to my friend for $1 and he sells it back to me for $1. lolThey have tried to cover that as well with the following verbiage, "Must be preinstalled on a PC and sold to another unrelated party."
Licensing for Hobbyists
Microsoft doesn't care. I go by the saying "If Windows Activation lets me do it, then it is good to use. Also, they say in the license terms that these packs cannot be sold to end users, but Amazon will sell one to you and they do not ask if you are a system builder.Ok, I build it, sell it to my friend for $1 and he sells it back to me for $1. lolThey have tried to cover that as well with the following verbiage, "Must be preinstalled on a PC and sold to another unrelated party."
Licensing for Hobbyists
Yes, Microsoft puts no effort into controlling it. They do care to some extent, as they are willing to publish documentation on it, but they would most likely rather have the money from the sale of the OEM license than somebody pirating the software.
It's the same thing for Technet subscriptions as well, they price it very attractively and kinda turn their heads the other way with respect to how people might be using it. If it was me, I would buy a Technet subscription rather than an OEM anything and have all of those "retail" licenses and products available to use.
I don't believe that matters in Europe anyhow.
There was a German High court case which I understand says you cannot be prevented from unbundling oem sotware from the hardware it came with.
I think that is because it is restrictive practice.
Pretty obvious the same would apply here.
The actual software code is no different than any other license versions. I think people get confused with this. A retail version installed on the same PC would be completely identical. It's what the license entitles you to do, with respect to the EULA, that is different.
Anytime I build a computer for someone else, where they will be using it until they buy a replacement computer years later, I get them an OEM license.
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