Selling PC question.

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FatalRob

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Apr 5, 2015
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Hello community!

I'm looking to sell my old gaming computer but I have a question regarding windows OEM vs Retail.
I believe oem is a one time install and tied to the computer system.i actually bought windows 8.1 (retail version) upgraded to windows 10 awhile back.
So my question is,if I take out my m.2 drive (operating system on it) and sell the computer without any windows,or hard drives would the new buyer be able to just install a drive and install whatever windows they choose without any problems?
I just want to be certain and not cause any problems for the new potential buyer is all.

I would sell the computer my plextor m6e 256gb m.2 but it seems more of a hassle to wipe the drive than anything since the plextool states it "can't" be in boot drive to actually perform this task.

Thank-you
 
Solution
USAFRet


Ideally, what you would do is to activate that particular 'digital entitlement' on a whole new system, and then sell the existing hardware with a blank unactivated Windows OS install.
That will prevent the new owner using that hardware signature and your...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Yes, the new owner can install a drive and whatever OS he wants.
However, this will significantly impact your potential selling price.

For your drive and Win 10 OS on it....before you remove it from the current working PC, read and do this:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

This will link the OS digital entitlement to your MS account, and allow you to use that same license on new hardware.
It will probably need a full reinstall, but not a new license.


And OEM is not a "one time install". Rather, it is (for pre Win 10), locked to that original hardware. You can reinstall, on that same hardware.
With your current Win 10, that OEM concept is mostly out the window.
 
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FatalRob

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Apr 5, 2015
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USAFRet thank you for your response.i wouldn't mind keeping the windows operating system on it for the new buyer,but to do a clean format with this m.2 seems a bit complicated.

Also if I sell it with windows do I have to go to Microsoft or anything so my account isn't linked with it after a sell it?i just want to make sure that I'm not tied to the windows still after I sell the pc..should I just do what the link you provided stated to do? Any other helpful info is appreciated..
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Ideally, what you would do is to activate that particular 'digital entitlement' on a whole new system, and then sell the existing hardware with a blank unactivated Windows OS install.
That will prevent the new owner using that hardware signature and your OS license (digital entitlement).

So....go through the links above.
Then activate that digital entitlement on hardware you own and control.
Then, do a clean install of Win 10 on the hardware you're selling...wiping the drive when you do this install.
Sell it.
After that, the OS licensing is up to him.
 
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Solution
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FatalRob

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Apr 5, 2015
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USAFRet

One last question,sorry..
Could I just sell the computer without the m.2 and windows 10 and the potential buyer could just install his own windows because it's not a oem pre install,and tied to the computer,correct??sorry if I'm asking the same questions over again,just want to be certain doing this.

Basically I could say here's my gaming rig for sale but you're responsible for windows and your on hard drives and that's that? type thing? No worries etc....?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Sure you could sell it without drive and OS.
But the new owner would (I would) look at that as a major negative. No guarantee of actual working status.

An alternative is to leave the drive in, and install Linux on it.
Verified working system, and the owner can install his own Windows OS and license.
 
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