I have a Windows related question that's probably too stupid to post - "A few years ago, I bought a used brand name PC, and it came with a Windows license sticker on it. I has trouble booting right out of the box, but was able to download a copy of windows from MS, and use the license. Now, can I assume a used PC from an online vendor will follow the same practice, i.e. legit resellers include a license key? Or do I need to email/call to verify this with any purchase?"

I am trying to understand if this is common practice. As in "Yes, I'd expect that to be the way" vs, "not really, you got lucky". In the end it's curious to me that the license is worth more than half the total cost. I bought an old Dell Optiplex 790 for $150. The license alone would be $100. (I realize the reseller paid far less than that)

If it does come with a Windows license sticker, it would be for Windows 7. Which is now out of support, so you probably won't want to use it anyway.

oops

@JourneymanGeek naps2.com

@JTP-ApologisetoMonica the keys on windows should work for the version its for. There's a chance windows 7 keys might work with the same version of 10

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. The PC I’m looking at is loaded with Windows 10. (For what it’s worth, the one I bought a couple years back was 10 as well, sticker showed as a license for refurbished PC.)

and if not clear, I am not looking to change OS level, just have access to the key if I need to reinstall the OS.

oh

then it should just work

might not even need to input a key in some cases

in fact this is exactly why the key is there

Hard drive crashes 92 days later. I need to install a new OS. Did my used PS come with a sticker with key so I can re-install, or am I SOL?

@JTP-ApologisetoMonica wait

So - there's such a thing as a "digital entitlement" for windows 10

if it was upgraded from windows 7 and up - there's no need for a key

Won’t a new install ask me for a key?

Just leave it blank

actually for most prebuilt machines, there's something called SLP so you wouldn't need a key for the version of windows it came with either, if you got a OEM install media of any sort

The used PCs I am looking at specifically say no disc included. I’m just looking to avoid the risk that a failed drive costs me the price of a retail OS.

wait

has the drive actually died yet?

or is this hypothethical?

I did not buy the next PC yet.

you can probably dump out the key from a running PC no?

and yes, you can totally install from DLed media from MS in most cases

I am not PC literate. So, if that’s possible, I’ll plan to do that.

Thank you for the help.

support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/10749/…

uhm

reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/i0g6ya/…

whut?

I hope someone was trying to be funny

@Aibobot - "If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer." - this implies I should expect any PC, esp from an authorized reseller, to have the sticker. (This was from the microsoft link you suggested)

@JTP-ApologisetoMonica (same person as Aibo) - but windows 10 might be a digital licence

possibly something like answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/…

That. Perfect. So, I think I'm set. Things have changed. A license key can be tied to the motherboard, and activation automatic. That was the answer to what I was trying to understand, and if I grab this new (to me) PC, I won't panic if there's no sticker or a sticker like in the linked article. Much appreciated.