Is it illegal to download Windows Xp...if.....?

Question

i already have a dell computer that came with windows xp which i purchased, but i screwed it up by mistake?

no discs came with the computer..

Answer 1

as long as you'll use your legal license (serial) key, then it is not illegal.

Answer 2

Your Dell computer should have also included restore discs for Windows, or have a special partition on your hard drive to do a full system recovery without the Windows XP CD.

If you have a copy of Windows XP, you can install it, but Windows XP will probably recognize the new install and require you to verify your copy. You do this by entering your registration number off your XP CD jacket or other documentation given to you.

If you don't have the registration number, you then will be asked to call a Microsoft Support Agent who then will have you read back some generated numbers on your screen after you install XP (they give you up to 30 days to verify) and ask you other questions. If they feel that you have a legit copy they then will read back some numbers that you will type in and thus you then have a legal, verified copy of XP.

This happened to me with one of my Dells too, but I first used the Dell recovery CD, a backup of XP. Then I lost a hard drive and had to re-install XP all over again and got stuck talking to a Microsoft Support person in India. It was hard to understand her and I spent 40 minutes on the phone with her. Finally, she read back some numbers to me that I entered right on my screen through their program and my Windows was then verified.

Vista is even harder to deal with regarding verification. Guard your original Windows CDs carefully.

Answer 3

It is Illegal, because when your downloading it. Even though you technically "own" a license to windows. When you download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people.

I have download windows thousands of times and its not like they are going to come to your door and sue you. But I thought I would let you know your legal rights to this.

EDIT: also, contact Dell. They might be able to give you a copy. Or just use a friends copy with your serial number. That's completely legal....

Answer 4

It is not illegal unless and until u r the licensed user.
You should atleast have some paper agreements or some foolproof documents(can be a soft or the hard copy) that can prove yourself an original XP licensed pack customer.
Else You can land up in trouble.

Answer 5

You should use the CDs which came with your Dell PC to install. Contact Dell and obtain another copy and use your original windows key.

Answer 6

YES it is illegal to obtain windows by these means.

Do you not have the DELL discs the PC came with ?

Answer 7

downloading a ware is illegal, but if you registered it using a genuine cd-key, i find no reason why it is illegal. If you get caught due to downloading pirated XP cd, you should sue that seller for selling you a PC without a genuine WinXp cd.

Answer 8

As long as you use home edition or professional edition as per your licence whcih came with your machine then you are legally allowed to use it, the source of where the software comes from is irrelevant if you are legitimately licenced.

Answer 9

Yes and you will not be sure how good of a copy you will get or what version and service pack it will come with. What I have found they are often out dated and full of bugs.

Good luck.

Answer 10

So..no discs came with the PC, huh? or you lost them?