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leo135

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Windows 7 COA licence key from ebay

I have a windows XP dell pc on which I've installed Windows 7 professional.

I would like to buy the cheapest legal licence available and have found these two on ebay:

Dell OEM:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321830687093?euid=c215489e354a4f03b13d07c42c86ed79&cp=1

Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281772408909?euid=0a39235617b84d17b362351b8580a719&cp=1

My questions:
1. Are either of these types legal for my scenario?
2. What is the difference between the 'OEM' and the 'Intended for distribution...' one?
3. If OEM is only desinged to be activated on one system (identied by the motherboard) and the OEM key is from a decommissioned PC (i.e its already been activated once), how is it going to activate again on my system - in practial terms and legal terms?
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Brian Kirsch

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leo135

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Thanks Brian

What about the second link?
I would not purchase from that site, Microsoft terms are very clear regarding OEM licenses.
I have purchased OEM packages from full Microsoft Partner vendors. So long as you install it on your own machine and keep it there, you should be fine. The key is that you can't move or reinstall the license.
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ASKER

Thanks for clarifying regarding the OEM licence.

The second link is not an OEM licence. It seems to be another sort of licence with 'Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC' written on the disc. Could you explain what this is?
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I agree with Brian.  You're only way to go is to buy retail  license.
It depends on where you live. At least from your links you are in the UK, and the UK belongs to the EU. In the EU and closely linked countries like Switzerland, you can move OEM versions of Windows 7 to another PC, at least if they are unbranded OEM versions. You just have use the activation by phone routine.

In all other countries m$ won't reactivate an OEM version of Windows if you move it to another PC or change the mainboard to another model.

You can never be sure when you buy software from online sellers whether they are legitimate or not, it is always your risk.
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I'm sorry guys, I'm still not 100% certain based on your answers.
Is something like this legal (in the UK):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Professional-Refurbisched-Hologramm-Servicepack/dp/B00N9VE9CC/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1439829303&sr=1-1&keywords=windows+7+professional+64+bit

Its from Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) program. Is it allowed to sold separately with a PC?
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