Is it legal to download windows if you have a valid license?

[peteyt]

Hi there. Basically I'm selling some old computers as they are sitting catching dust. One was custom made at a cyber cafe and came with an OEM license of Windows XP, with the sticker with the serial number stuck to the tower.

However I have fully wiped the hard drive it came on and can no longer restore the computer to factory settings. Can I legally download and burn it onto a disc? I'd like to sell it with an OS rather than none even if it is XP

[dbgtz]

If you're downloading from anyone but Microsoft or a valid retailer, then it's probably against the EULA.

[Chippiewill]

Ehhh.. it's doubtful you'd be able to re-activate the same OEM license so at best you'd either have to apply a crack (Definitely illegal) or have it unactivated (Defeats the point). Not sure it's worth the effort, it would make more sense to install Ubuntu.

[scottish]

if it's the same machine shouldn't be an issue activating it (do they even allow activation of windows xp any more?) however getting a legal download would be more problematic.

[A]

Get a legal download really, but not sure about your method to be honest.