Can I sell the product key if I used it once?

DBGT

New Member
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I'm using Windows 8.1 Single Language x64, I'm having some issues with it, I planned to downgrade to Windows 7,
Is there a way to uninstall the product key, and sell it to someone else?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win7 ulti x64
ok your best place to start with this is reading the Windows 8.1 EULA.

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html

It does depend what version you have bought, for example if it was OEM:

OEM licenses, including Windows preinstalled on a computer before purchase and Windows bought separately, are tied to the first computer they are installed on and can not be transferred to a different computer. To install Windows on a different computer you will need to buy another copy.

Assuming as you are wanting to downgrade back to windows 7 you are not running an OEM Version and a legitimate retail edition.

From the EULA of Windows 8 retail upgrade this Section should sum it up for you:

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user?
You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer



To uninstall a Product Key:

Product Key Number - Uninstall and Deactivate in Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums


So you before you do anything you will need to make sure what ever you plan to do is legitimate and abides by the Windows 8/8.1 EULA.

I hope the above information you will find everything you need.

Cheers,
Harry

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 R2 / 8.1
Retail:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html#post129442

microsoft said:
Can I transfer the software to another computer or user?
You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new

Personal System Builder OEM:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html#post129488

microsoft said:
Can I transfer the software to another computer or user?
You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

Pre-Installed OEM:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html#post129482

microsoft said:
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 such as the certificate of authenticity label including the product key. You may not keep any copies of the software or any earlier version. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Thank you
So I can't benefit from this Windows, I can't use it to downgrade to Windows 7, even if I upgrade it to Pro version it won't work, I have to have a full copy of Pro version to downgrade to Windows 7.
This Microsoft's restrictions is really piddle me off.
For my personal experience Windows 8.1 is much worse than Windows Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win7 ulti x64
It's not Microsoft that's restricting it, not in this case anyway? Downgrade rights are supplied by the Original Equipment Manufacturer on select models that originally came with Windows 8 Pro pre installed. The Manufacturer determines if down grade rights apply or not. If they do you get the install media from them. The original install that qualified for the down grade would be a factory OEM install that is not transferable to another PC. If your PC came with 8 Core it does not qualify for down grade rights, even if you upgrade it to Pro. You could purchase Windows 7 and install it on that PC, assuming you can find all the required drivers. You still can't transfer the OEM install to another PC though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Actually, it is MS who restricted to pre installed Pro version only.

Your best bet is probably to return the machine ( I know few who have done that )

Or upgrade to win7, tho you will need to buy it - you can buy an oem packaged version. I know a couple who have done that.

Or leave it lying in the back of a drawer unused ( I know someone who has done that ).

I don't know a single person in real life who has continued to use it voluntarily.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Actually, it is MS who restricted to pre installed Pro version only.

Your best bet is probably to return the machine ( I know few who have done that )

Or upgrade to win7, tho you will need to buy it - you can buy an oem packaged version. I know a couple who have done that.

Or leave it lying in the back of a drawer unused ( I know someone who has done that ).

I don't know a single person in real life who has continued to use it voluntarily.

Yes you are correct, the point I was trying to make was that it is ultimately up to the Manufacturer to offer down grade rights. Some don't even on Pro installs. I could have worded it better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Yes, oems are under pressure to cut costs. They make so little on each machine. 8 has been a disaster for them, as well as for MS. One has to sympathise with the oems, but ultimately it is their own fault for getting into a position where they were so reliant on MS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It is all about doing your homework.



My OEM test rig,Windows 8 specs:




OEM said:
OS Provided Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Edition Microsoft Office Preloaded Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC. Software Drivers & Utilities, Nero Essentials S, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), Fujitsu Recovery, Windows 7 / Windows 8 Pro Twin-Pack recovery DVD



OEM said:
Compatible operating systems

Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Windows 7 Home Basic (EM) 32-bit,\r\nWindows Vista, Windows XP, \r\nopenSUSE Linux

Windows 8.1 specs:
OEM said:
Windows 7 Professional Load with Windows 8.1 Pro license + Office 2013 trial,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I purchased the windows separately.

In that case if you want 7 then you'll have to buy it. As far as selling your used 8 install, I highly doubt you can legally sell it now that its been activated/used.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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