Legit copy?

[Elwin5]

Is there a way to check that a laptop you bought second hand has a legitimate copy of Windows on it (by which I mean one that won't be randomly deactivated by Microsoft at some point in the future due to a dodgy licence)?

[Livin]

1 minute ago, Elwin5 said:

Is there a way to check that a laptop you bought second hand has a legitimate copy of Windows on it (by which I mean one that won't be randomly deactivated by Microsoft at some point in the future due to a dodgy licence)?

Most laptops come with Windows from the manufacturer.  Check the original specs and see if you have the same version installed that came with the laptop, that's not a bad place to start.  If it's been upgraded at some point to a newer version, you can try scraping the key and googling it but that won't necessarily tell you anything with Win 10 as it can use a generic key after upgrades are performed (ie. a legitimate upgrade from Win 7 -> 10).

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

2 minutes ago, Elwin5 said:

(by which I mean one that won't be randomly deactivated by Microsoft at some point in the future due to a dodgy licence)?

try link it to MS account (not sure)

but even legit win10 may be deactivated , already happened once.

[Screen]

Use the Windows Genuine validation tool may be? https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=203456

[Elwin5]

17 minutes ago, Screen said:

Use the Windows Genuine validation tool may be? https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=203456

Will this help for a copy that has already been accepted as activated by MS servers?

[Screen]

Just now, Elwin5 said:

Will this help for a copy that has already been accepted as activated by MS servers?

If its already accepted and activated then there is very less chance of MS coming behind you to cause trouble if it turns out to be a non legit one. Since they already accepted it as genuine, there is nothing else to worry about atm. The tool can, however be a validation making it double sure for peace of mind.

[kirashi]

1 hour ago, Elwin5 said:

Will this help for a copy that has already been accepted as activated by MS servers?

Not if the copy turns out to be illegitimate later - Windows Validation tool might pass now, but if the license is revoked later it'll still deactivate. The way you ensure the copy of Windows is legit on any PC you buy is to ask for a receipt or proof of purchase. However, if it was bought digitally, it'll be linked to the MS account that was used to purchase it, so legally you won't own the copy as the previous owner has it purchased on their account.

[Elwin5]

53 minutes ago, kirashi said:

Not if the copy turns out to be illegitimate later - Windows Validation tool might pass now, but if the license is revoked later it'll still deactivate. The way you ensure the copy of Windows is legit on any PC you buy is to ask for a receipt or proof of purchase. However, if it was bought digitally, it'll be linked to the MS account that was used to purchase it, so legally you won't own the copy as the previous owner has it purchased on their account.

Do you know how you can tell if the licence is the one installed by the laptop manufacturer?

[Elwin5]

Anyone know what the slmgr -dli results should look like if it's the original licence installed my the manufacturer?

[Screen]

3 hours ago, Elwin5 said:

Anyone know what the slmgr -dli results should look like if it's the original licence installed my the manufacturer?

It will look something like this :

You don't have to worry about it, you can always buy a new windows key online to activate and bond your Microsoft account with. And there are always other ways which shall not be discussed here as well.

[Elwin5]

Would the key from a manufacturer be a retail channel key? Would it not be OEM channel?