Do I need to buy Windows 10?

kylechong5

Prominent
Dec 10, 2017
1
0
510
I am currently building a desktop and I have people tell me that I do not need to buy a copy of Windows 10 and my motherboard would come with it.

My soon to be motherboard: Asus - PRIME Z270-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

 
Solution
Motherboards usually come with a DVD containing the software *drivers* for the hardware, NOT a copy of Windows.

As pointed out, you can download and install Windows 10 and run it unactivated indefinitely. A few personalisation items will be greyed-out, but you can even mostly circumvent those. Everything otherwise will run perfectly fine.

You can also buy an OEM version of Windows 10 for that specific computer, at somewhat lower price than a full version. Then you can "legitimately" activate and so on. It's not transferable, but it's probably enough; else-wise, buy the full retail version which is transferable to some future computer.

For so many reasons, do not pirate or buy at a super low price from a shady website. It's a form of...

stephen.myhandle

Prominent
Dec 11, 2017
3
0
520
Motherboards usually come with a DVD containing the software *drivers* for the hardware, NOT a copy of Windows.

As pointed out, you can download and install Windows 10 and run it unactivated indefinitely. A few personalisation items will be greyed-out, but you can even mostly circumvent those. Everything otherwise will run perfectly fine.

You can also buy an OEM version of Windows 10 for that specific computer, at somewhat lower price than a full version. Then you can "legitimately" activate and so on. It's not transferable, but it's probably enough; else-wise, buy the full retail version which is transferable to some future computer.

For so many reasons, do not pirate or buy at a super low price from a shady website. It's a form of theft/fraud, the copy could carry malware, may have its activation reversed or time limited (pirates often peddle 'trial' versions), and so on.
 
Solution

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
The people who told you that are wrong. The motherboard does NOT come with an OS.

As above, install it and run it Unactivated, until such time as you feel the desire to support the people who make the software you use. Then buy a valid OS license.