Are these Windows 7 Serial numbers on eBay OK to use?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Windows-7...400155?hash=item1c66a8745b:g:HxkAAOSwt7pXMHJR

They're OEM keys from old devices (which they say are scrapped/destroyed) so are they OK to use? I get that they're not supposed to be used on other devices, but if the old device is unused, it seems like it should be OK?

 

no they're not. IMO, any product key purchased from fleabay is a big No No

 

They are as good a license as a key from a key generator: it might install windows and even activate but it's still against OEM license terms they were sold with and thus not valid.

 

Even ignoring the above posts, what makes you think the eBay seller will not sell the exact same key to other customers, causing issues even if it were a legit key?

Play it safe and buy from a legitimate source. Newegg still sells Windows 7, for example ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...STMATCH&Description=windows+7&N=-1&isNodeId=1).

 

I will shed some light here...
Those OEM keys are designed to be used in conjunction with an OEM license certificate. They are only useful in determining the edition of windows, but they will not activate without having the proper OEM certificate and SLIC 2.1 BIOS marker. Internet activation through the windows utility will fail, because it was only designed for retail keys. VPK keys go through a KMS server, and these OEM keys are activated offline

 

Well, Microsoft's wording on who can/can't use an OEM license has been very, very hasty over the years, though generally I've yet to hear about them invalidating or going after an individual who buys/uses an OEM key for use on their home system. So long as you buy a legit copy of the software, you should be good.

Certainly a lot more reasonable than to wing it on the 10-quid "too good to be true" Windows licenses on eBay.

 

Wrong. Oh so wrong. You have mixed different types of OEM

For big manufacturers offline activation with cert+slic is the main activation type. There is only one key of each windows version (how else could you clone millions of computers?). A sticker is then slapped on the case of every PC and that key is unique to that computer, it is the license for that single PC.

That OEM sticker key (which is sold online) works with phone activation the first time, after that it will activate over internet. It is meant as a method for users to reinstall OS when for example hdd fails and there is no recovery discs available. Technically it works on any computer but as I said before, it is not valid as a license even if it activates.

Then there is the OEM license that is sold to those smaller companies (and individuals) that build computers but not in a scale that would allow use of slic. They also come in a sticker but it has no manufacturer name. It was sold in 3-packs.

 

Before any purchase you should get the seller to have a letter of Authenticity from Microsoft Verifying those keys are still working and legit. Otherwise your going to be taken for a ride.

 

That's going to be hard to do.
While this is for Win 8.1 I remember Windows 7 Pro/home had similar terms regarding re-sale. Incredibly difficult to find those old license pdfs anywhere.

http://www.itr.bg/eula/Windows 8.1_PRO_English.pdf
" Can I transfer the software to another user? You may transfer the software directly to another user, only with the licensed computer. The transfer must include the software, proof of purchase, and, if provided with the computer, an authentic Windows label including the product key."

Keys will be working and legit as long as the buyer gets that old computer with the key and uses it to install Windows in that same computer. OEM keys are not transferrable to new PC. That's why they invented the Retail license.

License wise those stickers are just as worthy as a key from a keygen. If there is even a hint of doubt that they aren't okay to use, then they are not. But if you don't care, then why bother buying something in the first place...