Just bought Win7 Pro RETAIL - how to check it is genuine and not in use?

Hi all

I've just recently bought a Win7 Pro RETAIL; used from eBay. The seller has good feedback, and I chatted a fair amount with him through eBay messages. I have every reason to trust him, but in spite of that I would still like to check and be 100% sure that what I have is genuine and available for installation (not in use on another PC).

Does anyone have any tips as to how I can go about this? Can I go to MS direct to check (I seem to remember reading that I can't, but am not totally sure)? Any other ways...

Please note that for various reasons I won't bore you all with, I won't be able to actually use and install the OS for at least a couple of weeks....

Many thanks

Max

 

I know of no way to determine if a license is still in use on another computer. And I know of no way to verify a product key is valid "before" you install the product either. And that makes sense too because if there was some Microsoft site you could just type in the key and see if valid, software thieves would just start entering letters and numbers at random until they found a good key.

So the only way product makers can validate the installed program is to scan your computer with the program installed.

Sorry, but "caveat emptor" (Let the buyer beware).

I guess you could try to contact Microsoft Support and ask them directly. However, since mainstream support for Windows 7 ended over 2 years ago (besides the fact that eBay seller is not an authorized Microsoft retailer), I would not hold my breath.

 

Hi Bill, and thanks for the response.

Since posting, I have been looking into it further. I found this page where you can enter a key to download an ISO:

Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files)

And I have also called MS and spoken to them about it/given them the license key. Both avenues confirm that it is a valid and genuine license. So that's good news.

The chap at MS was unable to tell me whether it is currently installed on another PC, as suspected.

Here's a link to the actual product I bought:

Windows 7 Pro English Retail Box 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs | eBay

Happy to upload any photos as well if that would help any?

Once it is (hopefully) confirmed that it is genuine, the next step will be making sure it is "available"/not in use or installed on another computer. And it would seem that is only possible by installing it... Correct?

What I don't get is this... If I install it and all is well and as it should be. But let's say the seller's PC which it was on still has it on but is not in use. If he were to then use the PC in, say, 6 months time, what would happen? That aspect of it really confuses me.

Thanks again

 

Hi Christer

I understand that that's how it works. I'm just not clear on how it manifests... So, it he/she is lying/misinformed/etc and DOES still have it installed on a computer, what will happen when I go to install it? It won't work at all? It will work, but I'll hear from MS later down the line?

Or another scenario... Let's say it definitely has been uninstalled/de-activated. So I go ahead and install / activate it, and everything is fine. Then - 6 months later - the seller or someone else re-installs Win7 using the same key, which he has kept note of. What would happen then?

I think I understand the theory, just now how it works in practise...

Thanks for your reply

 

My thinking is if you are successful in activating that key, and he comes back in 6 months, if there is any Microsoft protest, it is his Windows that will yell at him.

It would not be normal for Windows to get uninstalled and deactivated through Microsoft. I sure have never done that. I just stopped using that computer (or that drive).

 

Then I am not sure we do agree. As I said in my previous post, it is not typical for any one to go through any process to deactivate their license. I have never called up Microsoft to tell them I am uninstalling it from any machine.

I think it just happens when it is activated on a new system.

 

Yeah, I've seen both of those. I am just saying I have never gone through the process of deactivating Windows on one machine before using that license on another. And that has never prevented me from activating the license on the new machine.

What does one do in the event of a hard drive failure? That has not stopped me from installing Windows again on the new drive. Even when motherboards have failed (which you would think would trigger something at Microsoft), no problems.

 

I think you are right-on concerning OEM licenses. And I think you are correct (in theory!) about the retail licenses. Where our disconnect is is where you say "but after deactivation". I have transferred several retail licenses to new computers and never had to deactivate it first. Having said that, I have never gone back and tried to use the old one either to see what happened.

 

On the contrary I'd say! I really appreciate all the shared thoughts and time spent looking at all this. So BIG thanks from me.

It's amazing how something which in my opinion should be very clear and transparent is in reality a right ol' quagmire and minefield! From the reading I've been doing this whole MS validation, activation, etc. is notorious for being convoluted.

A shame really... There're all kinds of things for sale out there for next to no money. OEMs sold with a piece of hardware form the original computer to comply with European law, license keys available on their own, new OEM system builder discs, this, that and the other. Tonnes on eBay. But I just couldn't wrap my head around which options were legit and so opted to spend the extra and buy a Retail copy. I thought the extra expenditure was worth it. No headaches, no (or minimal) uncertainties.

Seems I might have been wrong!

 

I agree it is puzzling. But as you noted, there is no definitive answer on Microsoft's site.

I also note part of the problem may be with the differences in how legacy BIOS and new UEFI motherboards work as well as how Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows keep track of how they are activated.

My experience in transferring Windows 10 licenses on newer UEFI motherboards is very limited - and only limited to retail licenses at that.

 

Ooooh! Good point! 99% of my computer work/experiences these days are with custom built computers. Not factory made (massproduced) computers.

Factory made computers using OEM Windows 10 licenses must store the keys in the BIOS/UEFI firmware on the motherboard. Home/custom PC builders must full retail license and those are stored and ACPI tables on the drive. That is probably why I have not experienced the activation issue you have.

Now again, in the past, with W7, I never had to deactivate first.