EdwinBiggs66
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- Mar 18, 2025
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I wonder if you could give me some advice regarding a pre-owned PC I bought from eBay.
The PC was advertised as with Windows 11 pro installed and office 21 installed also.
The eBay ad said the software was "fully activated".
indeed when the PC arrived both were present and both were activated
The PC was a common small form factor Lenovo typically used by offices, so I was expecting it to arrive with some kind of enterprise license installed tied to the hardware which would typically continue to work for the life of the PC. Which has worked out fine in the past.
However, the PC actually seems to have a retail version of Windows installed but no product key ( according to the slmr -dli command)
I have contacted the seller who claims that they get these from their supplier who installs them and doesn’t provide the license key and doesnt know any more - and “its fine”
This leads me to believe that the seller is likely installing the same software on multiple PCs with the same product keys and selling them on (why else would they keep the key).
My concern is that i bought the PC in good faith and do not want to buy software again if not needed. but, if my assumptions are correct, Microsoft is within their rights to deactivate the OS key and /or office key at any time potentially causing me a major headache.
Have i got this right?
What actually happens if Microsoft decides the license is being abused by someone else and cancel/deactivate it. (Note- I have no evidence this is the case - just a suspicion)
Will i lose access to the OS / programs / files without warning.
its a shame as the hardware is exactly what i needed - and i dont particularly want to send it back
What are my options.
Any advice very much appreciated.
The PC was advertised as with Windows 11 pro installed and office 21 installed also.
The eBay ad said the software was "fully activated".
indeed when the PC arrived both were present and both were activated
The PC was a common small form factor Lenovo typically used by offices, so I was expecting it to arrive with some kind of enterprise license installed tied to the hardware which would typically continue to work for the life of the PC. Which has worked out fine in the past.
However, the PC actually seems to have a retail version of Windows installed but no product key ( according to the slmr -dli command)
I have contacted the seller who claims that they get these from their supplier who installs them and doesn’t provide the license key and doesnt know any more - and “its fine”
This leads me to believe that the seller is likely installing the same software on multiple PCs with the same product keys and selling them on (why else would they keep the key).
My concern is that i bought the PC in good faith and do not want to buy software again if not needed. but, if my assumptions are correct, Microsoft is within their rights to deactivate the OS key and /or office key at any time potentially causing me a major headache.
Have i got this right?
What actually happens if Microsoft decides the license is being abused by someone else and cancel/deactivate it. (Note- I have no evidence this is the case - just a suspicion)
Will i lose access to the OS / programs / files without warning.
its a shame as the hardware is exactly what i needed - and i dont particularly want to send it back
What are my options.
Any advice very much appreciated.