Reuse Product Keys On Internet-Disconnected PCs?

Phone activation requires providing some sort of machine id that Windows generates, probably involving serial numbers from some of the parts, so the activation code you get over the phone wouldn't work on the other machines.

ARE YOU TRYING TO STEAL OR WHAT?

We will report you thats how.

I agree with christop; This is "aiding and abetting."

Hi  

^^^^ perfect advice....

You don't get a choice.. you ACTIVATE or the machines WONT GO INTO WINDOWS after 30 days...

Then when you do try to activate on several machines...MS will BLACKLIST your one legal key...

Honesty is the best policy...or use Linux...that's free...

All the best Brett  

Piracy

When someone installs and uses commercial software without paying for the program, it is called "pirating" the software. This name comes from the traditional meaning of the word "pirate," which is a sea-faring criminal that steals and loots belongings from others. But far from the stereotypical sea pirate, a software pirate can be anyone who owns a computer. Software piracy is committed by simply downloading or copying a program that a user has not paid for.

Since computer programs are stored in a digital format, they are easy to copy and reproduce. For example, a game may be burned to a CD and transferred to the computer of an individual who has not paid for the program. Software programs can also be illegally downloaded from the Internet from unauthorized sources. Since pirating software does not require many resources, it has grown into a major problem for the computer industry.

While it may seem like an innocuous act, pirating software is the same as stealing. Software companies often invest thousands or even millions of dollars into creating the programs they sell. The income from selling these programs is what allows companies to produce the software and to continue improving the programs we use. Just because it is possible to copy a software program does not mean it is OK. Installing a commercial program from an illegal copy is the same thing as walking out of a store with the program and not paying for it.

While there are some programs that are free to use (such as shareware and freeware programs), it is important to pay for commercial software. You can avoid software piracy by only downloading software from authorized sources and making sure that you have valid software licenses for all the programs you use. Remember that paying for software programs supports the software industry, which is good for all of us!

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******* More info on Software Piracy *******
http://www.ehow.com/about_6311820_software-piracy_.html

Thanks for all the replies. And no, I'm not stealing Windows. (I run a legit business and need to keep my OS updated.) But I am a thinker, and I was talking with someone today from a PC store about Windows who couldn't come up with an answer. MauveCloud's answer makes perfect sense. The installation process generates an ID derived from the computer's specific components, and then Microsoft provides an activation key code that only works with those components.

This topic has been closed by SR-71 Blackbird

Best answer selected by SR-71 Blackbird.