Suspiciously cheap windows 10

[Stevoid6000]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before (I've scanned through a stack of pages), but how can reputable online shops sell windows 10 for £10.90-25.99 when the OEM from Microsoft is about £89?

Is it possible that these are full legal copies and the retailer just gets it at a massive discount from Microsoft? I know that sounds naive, but equally I like a bargain...

 

[ss202sl]

Theyre not totally legal. They may install, but usually they are multi-use(enterprise) keys, and are likely to be deactivated at some point, and you'll have an unlicensed OS.

DO NOT TRUST THEM

 

[Jwpanz]

Some sites are able to buy slightly sketchy but legitimate Windows 10 keys from wholesalers that obtained them but have now gone out of business or "acquired" them (somehow).

 

[t53186]

Stay away from that.

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

It will probably install, but be deactivated later. It may even be fake.
I'd just get a normal one

 

[Barty1884]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3436194/grey-market-windows-licenses.html

Take a look.

@Jwpanz. Sellers on Kinguin do not = Kinguin.
Honestly, that's like saying you'd trust "eBay" overall. Some legit sellers, I'm sure. Others.... not so much.

 

[boosted1g]

Typically these keys are either:
1) Not-for-resale keys from an enterprise/government/education large scale license purchase
2) Legit keys purchased with stolen cards and then laundered
3) Key Generator
4) Keys purchased in cheaper market and then illegally sold to people in US

 

[Karadjgne]

Kinguin (the site) sells nothing, and takes no responsibility for what's sold on it, so you'll get anything, and Kinguin turns a blind eye, they just do not want to know any details of origin, so really are blameless in this.

That said, when it comes to MS keys, that's shady as all get out. You'll get 1 person, buys a $20 key, sells 10 copies of the same key for $20, profit $180 And there's 100 ppl doing that at the same time. 1st dude then buys a $20 key from someone else, and sells 10 more copies, profit $360. And does it again, profit $540, going up $180 each time, rotating those 100 keys, total profit $18,000, actual expenditure of owner cash = $20. If a key doesn't work, you complain, seller just gives you another key, from a previous sale. The whole premise being there's so many billion keys floating around, MS will be taking its sweet time actually stomping on your particular key, but it does happen and you'll have 10 days to get a new one before windows becomes bunk. Legal? Not in any way, totally prosecutable if MS catches you selling, but those that do are hidden behind so much security that it'd take the CIA to break it fast enough to trace the original link.

Will I endorse Kinguin or other sites like it? Not a chance, that's tantamount to enabling software piracy, you are buying stolen goods. It's as simple as that. If a retailer wants to discount valid keys, that's their business, but those ppl on Kinguin are not verified/certified resellers or retailers, they are private individuals, and Microsoft EULA specifically states that MS owns the keys, private individuals cannot sell keys unless part of a working, installed software package on a pc.

It's illegal. Period. Buy the key from a verified/certified retailer, like Amazon etc, or buy direct from MS.

 

[Stevoid6000]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The old, "if it seems too good to be true...." rings out again. I'd hoped someone would say there was a legal way they could do this and me not be at risk of having the license revoked. I guess not! Thanks again

 

[Karadjgne]

In all honesty, MS could easily sell windows for a lot less than its current price scheme and still pull a profit, however, the sheer amount of lost revenue, legal retainer fees, labor chasing down pirates is staggering per year. It's sites like Kinguin enabling software piracy through disavowment or blindeye tactics that are forcing MS to charge more to cover the costs and still profit. Software piracy is no joke, and while some pirates get busted, there's a multitude more who don't, so ultimately the people paying the price are the everyday, honest consumers who choose to do the right thing.