I've been using a free version of Windows for a while now and I found someone on Facebook Marketplace selling used Crucial 240GB SSDs for $20 each. If I buy one or two, I could get a terabyte for just $50. How sketchy is this idea for getting a legal copy of Windows?
4 Answers
On a positive note, I've snagged some old Windows PCs just for the licenses, upgraded for free later. It worked out well when I jumped from Windows 7 to 10, and then 11. Just make sure you’re following the rules and getting legitimate versions.
Just a heads up, the Windows activation is typically tied to your motherboard. If you get a used SSD, it’ll probably lose its activation once you install it on a different machine. Also, finding a legal copy through this route is unlikely to work out as you hope.
You might want to reconsider the SSD purchase altogether. If the price seems sketchy, it probably is. Also, you can always opt for Linux if you're looking to switch things up without dealing with Windows activation headaches.
Buying a used SSD with Windows isn't a solid plan for getting a legal copy. Official Windows installations link to your Microsoft account—you can't just grab Windows off an SSD and expect it to activate on your machine. OEM copies are tied to the hardware, not the SSD itself. So, it’s likely you'll end up with a version that either won't work or could be pirated, which is a no-go.
Exactly! Plus, if you really want a decent Windows version, just consider getting one directly from Microsoft instead of relying on a used SSD.