Is it legal to download Windows MCE from BitTorrent, but then use my own key to install and validate it? The reason I ask it that my laptop came with Windows MCE, but also with it came loads of crap software that messes up the laptop and slows it down. I'd like to do a clean install but I don't have the MCE disc. Thanks, Thomas
Thats a good question! I doubt it is legal though. No reason for this feeling but it just seems too good to be true. I hate all the crap Dell, HP etc put on your PC, id pay them more not to have it!
Using your own key is legal. I had to reinstall XP Pro on my laptop once and my recovery disc was gone. But I have 2 dvd's with all versions of Windows. So I installed XP Professional OEM, and used the original product key from the laptop. To be sure I did a genuine check at the website of Microsoft, and it said it was genuine. ( I could easly reactivate Windows without any problems )
Ok thanks to you both, I can't see why it wouldn't be legal, after all I've paid for a licence, and I won't be using the key on more than 1 intallation at once. Thomas
Maybe if Microsoft isn't making enough money anymore, they might want users to buy a new license if using a new cd.
Well that depends. A single license (mostly used) can only be reactivated on the first computer that it has been activated. But however if you have multiple licenses of 1 product key, you CAN activate it on multiple computers.
No it will be the same computer, what I mean is it won't be installed twice with the same licence key.
You can surely install it with the same product key again. As long as you haven't made any big hardware changes from the moment that you installed windows for the first time, and now when you want to install it again. EDIT: You can get more information about this here: Windows XP: Microsoft Product Activation
Also, I think that you can reorder your windows cd from microsoft. Just give them a call and ask them about it....
THis will do the trick: How To Transfer Windows XP Activation Information To Reinstall Without Reactivating The Product
I strongly recommend you don't download a Windows CD from a P2P network. Otherwise, you may get a stowaway on your freshly installed OS... a Trojan which will allow somebody else to control your PC and use it for evil. If you don't have a MCE disc, simply have an MCSE friend with an MSDN subscription burn you one.
Microsoft will send you a replacement disk if you bought a retail version. I am not sure if that applies with an OEM version though. Probably not to be honest. Be aware that your product key may not work with the downloaded version. Microsoft have started locking product keys to specific manufacturer OEM cds. And as Anti-Trend said, you run the risk of getting pwned. Why not just uninstall all the crapware that comes with the installation?
I'll do my best to uninstall everything, but it never feels completely clean somehow. I do know someone with an MSDN subscription (for his company), so I might give that a try aswell. Thanks, Thomas
