Help disabling windows license (Selling laptop!)

Hello, first time posting here in awhile so don't rip me apart.

I'm looking to sell my laptop (XPS m1530) but first want to clean it out and save anything I need.

I have a copy of Windows 7 64bit professional on here that I was hoping I could remove and use on my next computer. (I got it through my university). Do I need to de-activate this copy or something?

Also, same situation with MS Office 2007, do I need to do the same thing with that?

 

Unless you bought the copy of Windows yourself after the fact, it's unlikely you'll even be able to activate it on a different computer. If you did, you don't need to de-activate it, just format and, ideally, secure erase the disc before using the recovery discs and selling the computer.

I haven't used MS Office ever since the DRM wouldn't allow me to install it on the computer which replaced my dead laptop several years ago, so I can't comment. And M$, if you're reading this, when the alternative to your software is both 100% free and 100% legal, you have absolutely zero wiggle room to inconvenience your paying customers.

 

Windows doesn't work like that. The only thing in your way is the EULA.

Also, try open office. It is great.

 

If his Win7 is the version that came with the laptop, won't it be locked to at least only one brand of computer with a certain string in the BIOS (bar BIOS hacking?)

I have used OpenOffice for years, if that comment was directed at me.

 

That's true, but he bought the Windows 7 Pro at his school. Sorry, the comment wasn't directed at you, but the OP.

Your comment about MS Office alternatives made me mention it to the OP.

 

If it's software you got "after the fact" - i.e. after the laptop then just format it, ideally use the recovery discs.

-> Once you have removed the program you are technically free to use it on any other computer, provided it is not tied to a specific computer by the EULA, e.g. OEM software.

Microsoft doesn't (yet?) use any system to deactivate software when you remove it.

 

Here in Germany, you can legally transfer your OEM license to another computer, provided you are end user. Hail to our Supreme Court

Michael

 

Oh, can you now?

To be honest though - you accept that you can't transfer it by buying an OEM version... -> I can't really see anything wrong with the idea behind that, provided it's stated clearly.

On that note, I have no idea how it's in the UK... is that another reason for me to miss Germany?...

 

Now? MS lost the lawsuit in July 2000.

I disagree.

Michael

 

Then it never filtered to me...

To be honest though, I don't agree with it. -> When you buy a product and the constraints are well advertised (i.e. not hidden in the depth of some Eula you don't see before you buy the product) they should be binding.

By the same argument you could copy music... When you buy an use the CD you accept the licence terms that come with it - in this case copyright law.

 

From my understanding, you did not actually purchase the copy of W7-Pro but it was installed, or given to you, by a school computer person. It is probably a corporate license that they used (basically it doesn't need to be activated, unlike retail and oem versions). That being said, you cannot legally use that version on another personal computer because it belongs to your university. I remember Intel got sued by MS for millions a while back because a corporate install key for MS Office was leaked by an employee and ended up being spread across the web where thousands were using it.

 

Here in the UK the options for Win7 (or Vista) are to either buy it on an educational discount (40 Pounds I think) or alternatively, you get if for free via MSDN-AA -> in both cases I believe you can migrate the installation.

Albeit in the MSDN-AA case you may only legally do so while you are still a student, when your course ends, you may continue to use any installed software, but you may not reinstall it.

 

When you buy a product, you buy a product. As long as you don't go distributing free copies to someone else, you should be able to do whatever you want with it as long as it's in your possession.

It would be inexcusible if the builder of your house tried to force you to live there the rest of your life and never sell it. Why is it somehow OK when Microsoft does it?

I'd love for M$ to try to tell me I have to buy a new copy of Windows because I graduated and happened to get a virus.

 

You can, actually. In an odd case of common sense, the last time the DMCA was reviewed they added that making digital copies of your purchsed media fell under fair use, as did jailbreaking personal devices.

To O/P: If you bought a retail copy of Windows, it belongs to you to do with as you wish. Obviously, you will have to remove it from the existing machine. When installing on your next computer, you will [more than likely] have to call Microsoft and get a new key. Simply explain that you've removed the software from the old computer and are now installing it on the new one.

 

However, were a court to invalidate such statements, whether you agree to them or not, they are not valid. Just because it's written into a contract and agreed to doesn't mean that it will hold up in court.

If Germany decides that OEM licenses should be transferrable, that aspect of the EULA from MS is null.

 

So what? You got that copy for FREE - on that note though if you make a backup on a home server or clone the HDD as a backup you wouldn't be reinstalling the OS/program

I still think this isn't right - I'm actually inclined to call that court a bunch of criminals. If I sell two products and I clearly state that one comes with restrictions, how can a court come about and say that statement is invalid?

To be honest, I really wonder how stupid people have to be to try and invent or sell something. Either you get sued into oblivion because somebody patented the size of a mobile device, or alternatively a court comes along and removes clearly stated restrictions, or alternatively forces you to make your product worse (-> Vista N versions without MediaPlayer, comes not from a court but from the paper pushers in the European Commission, what's the point?)

 

in switzerland, the EULA of OEM is illegal. so we're allowed to buy it without buying hardware, and use the license as often as we want (but just once at a time of course).

btw, as it's in general illegal to bind hardware and software and providers together in any way in my country, it was from the start illegal to bind the iphone to a provider. the at&t exclusive iphone deal that just now stopped with verizon getting it's own phone would never have been possible. we can have any phone on any provider.

 

I've never heard of that before. The only examples close to that are volume licenses that the school had that they sell to students, but even then they install and activate exactly like a retail or OEM version of windows all with their own unique keys.

 

if you bought that copy of W7 Pro, then you are entitled to do whatever you want with it (e.g. format the m1530's hard drive). buy buying that copy of W7 you are the owner of the product key taht came with it. unless you want to sell that product key and DVD with your m1530, you should keep it.

the same goes with the MS Office. if you bought both the W7 Pro and MS Office 2007, as an aftermarket purchase (they didn't come as part of your m1530 purchase), then they're yours and you should keep them for yourself.