Morally I don't think so but legally yes, because you are not stealing from anyone by selling an oem key but it is a practice that in theory harms the creator of the software by selling cheaper than the software itself.

Although let's be honest, if it were totally illegal and harmed the producer or creator of the content or software, these OEM licences would not exist. Let's say it's in the interest of the creator to sell and although it's not at a first world price (because many of these licences are for emerging markets) they are making money. Let's say that in the Lord's vineyard there is something for everyone.

No, they are illegal.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licences can only be granted by equipment manufacturers when included in sales of new equipment, thus excluding second-hand equipment.

The manufacturer itself cannot sell this type of licence. Again, it can only be included when selling new equipment.

It is legal for you to install it on your equipment if, and only if, you purchase it with new or sometimes refurbished equipment.

However, if you purchase the oem licence separately, the seller would normally be in breach of the terms of the licence and the user could have the licence withdrawn.

You should be careful what you buy.

Greetings.

I had a case where my original motherboard died after a while. The OEM license I received with the computer died the moment that MB died. I replaced it and bought an OEM license for the same manufacturer (DELL). I called Microsoft for an activation (online activation doesn't work for these cases), and here I am using it legally.

These OEM licenses are overages that the customer has paid for and then the buyer of the equipment decides that the machine should come pre-installed with Linux or another operating system.

I don't know how illegal they are, but they work.

It depends on what you consider illegal, those keys are valid and original to the operating system, the illegality is because that type of licensing is exclusive to computer manufacturers. What happens is that because they are purchased en masse, they are often leaked and end up on the internet.

They are legal and are normally sold at U windows home and U windows pro, the difference with the other licenses is that it is tied to the hardware, if you change the hard drive or motherboard it is no longer useful and you should buy again.

Not necessarily. And the ones they offer for free, they're going to have you trying and none of them are going to work. Lately, since most of them are bought over the internet, they send it by e-mail or through the website of the company you buy it from. Check if the company you are buying from is not phishing for you to pay for nothing.

Phishing, particularly with Microsoft, doesn't work. If you put the same program on two PC's when it's for one, when you put it on the second, it disables the first.

It depends on who you buy it from.

Yes, totally legal and reliable, they come from batches and other key packages for offices or companies.

Their downside so to speak, is that many times when you put an OEM key, it is tied to the hardware, if you change any part later you will probably need another key, as it will not work.

Unless someone is unlikely to change components every week, they are more cost effective than a normal Windows key (and much cheaper).