Windows 10 EULA - Big change for self builders - and not a good one!

Digerati · Aug 13, 2015

RE: Windows system builder licensing for personal use

As noted in that link, if you are building a computer for your own personal use (my bold added), a "Full packaged retail product is needed."

It goes on to say, "Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 system builder software does not permit personal use, and is intended only for preinstallation on customer systems that will be sold to end users."

AFAIK, this is an entirely new document because in the past, for W8 and W7, self-builders could buy the OEM license when building personal computers for their own use - or at least the wording of the EULA did not specifically say, "system builders software does not permit personal use".

What this means is home builders, building new PCs (including upgrading motherboards in old PCs) for themselves, MUST purchase the more expensive "Retail" license for Windows 10.

On the plus side, that means Microsoft is on the hook for 1 year tech support. But it also means that, unlike OEM/System Builders licenses, you can legally transfer your W10 to your next new build, and the next and the next. And if W10 is truly going to be the last version Windows, maybe in the long run, that is not a bad thing. Wait and see.

Aura · Aug 13, 2015

Personally I don't consider this a really bad thing. If you are someone who plans on building his own rig, and maintaining it throught the years, you'll eventually swap the hard drive and/or motherboard and you'll be glad to have a retail copy of Windows then

Digerati · Aug 13, 2015

I personally don't consider it bad either - except for the very budget minded who cannot afford to pay more upfront, even though it means savings in the long run.

My worries are battles in forums - with people bashing MS over this, and "advisers" suggesting users commit fraud as happens too much already.

That said, if you visit Newegg, OEM licenses are readily available. I guess the legal, though technically shady solution is to sell the computer to a friend for $.01 and then buy it back.

Aura · Aug 13, 2015

We are lucky to not have encountered such battles on Sysnative yet, and I hope it'll stay like this. Sadly on other forums like BleepingComputer... it's a real warzone.

And that solution makes sense, but I don't know if it's 100% legal as there's probably requirements to meet in order to be recognized as an authorized reseller and such

Digerati · Aug 13, 2015

Sadly on other forums like BleepingComputer... it's a real warzone.

Yeah, I just had such an encounter at TPU.

The OP was buying a new computer and listed his parts. I noted that I didn't see an OS listed and reminded him that a new computer needs a new OS license. A regular poster there actually replied and advised the OP to,

go through the customer service phone activation and tell them your mobo died and had to be replaced and they may give you a new code to enter.

I was not too kind in my response,

That is fraud through deceit (lying for personal gain) - a very serious criminal offense! It is stealing, a theft of software and no less a crime than shoplifting a TV or copy of Windows from a store!

And you are admitting in public you have committed acts of thievery and now you are using TPU to promote and condone criminal activities!

If you don't want to give Microsoft any more money, or a new license is not in your budget, there are MANY free and capable Linux offering to choose from. But please don't become a software thief!

The regular never replied but the OP did with a thanks and said he will be buying a new license too.

Sadly, sometimes others then jump in to pounce on me - often seeing my MVP and claiming that I am a MS puppet.

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Windows 10 EULA - Big change for self builders - and not a good one!

Digerati

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Aura

Sysnative Staff, Security Analyst

Digerati

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Aura

Sysnative Staff, Security Analyst

Digerati

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Windows 10 EULA - Big change for self builders - and not a good one!

Digerati

ModeratorHardware ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

Aura

Sysnative Staff, Security Analyst

Digerati

ModeratorHardware ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

Aura

Sysnative Staff, Security Analyst

Digerati

ModeratorHardware ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Moderator
Hardware Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)