Can I install Windows for free after its support period has expired?

Michael2012-09-03 17:11:32

Law in IT

Michael, 2012-09-03 17:11:32

Hello, I just spoke with one of the representatives of the IT department of one of the state authorities (Ukraine).
They ask not to install Windows Server 2008 for them, but insist only on Windows 2003 Server x64.
The motivation is as follows:
Soon MIcrosoft will stop supporting products of the Windows XP, 2003 Server line, and then it will not be necessary to buy it, but it will be possible to install it from pirates and there will be nothing for anyone.
Since I am not an expert in Windows licensing issues, but would like to understand this, that is actually why I am writing this question.

Answer the question

In order to leave comments, you need to log in

9 answer(s)

Bright, 2012-09-03
@Bright

This is only the end of the support period, the license does not change in any way, the product does not become freeware. Pirates will always be pirates.

kostik450, 2012-09-03
@kostik450

You can't post for free. And you can't buy.
I personally encountered this when my super-program required some utility that only works in DOS to work (it needs real-time COM ports, you see). And you can't buy licensed DOS for a long time and you can't install it for free.
With FreeDOS, the situation is even more complicated, because it is not clear who owns the rights to FreeDOS, and if people in masks come, you can’t prove anything to them, the command will follow: “Remove your hands from the keyboard” and for refusal - with a butt on the forehead.
I had to rewrite the code and drive the utility straight into the BOOT sector of the floppy, without any DOS. It turned out to be easier than looking for / buying a DOS-compatible operating system.

smartlight, 2012-09-03
@smartlight

it is forbidden.

olean, 2012-09-03
@olean

There was a case where win98 was needed. After a call to Microsoft support, it was suggested to buy a win7 distribution, install it, downgrade to XP, and then downgrade to win98. This is the company's policy regarding unsupported distributions.

Nikolai Turnaviotov, 2012-09-03
@foxmuldercp

Idiot motivation of those who do not want to pay.
Unfortunately, they will pay with the security of networks and services, which will no longer receive security updates for holes of various degrees of severity, but they cannot understand this, not to mention the fact that installing different modern software on outdated systems is also in due time it will become impossible, as it is now, for example, it is almost impossible to run software designed for win98/dos/nt3.x or other exotic outdated and forgotten by everyone

4ikist, 2012-09-03
@4ikist

Wait 100 years, then it will become a national treasure. With uv. M.

DibrovLALALA, 2012-09-03
@DibrovLALALA

If it were possible, then in all offices, schools, etc. there would be old windows. Old, but free.

audiotrue, 2012-09-03
@audiotrue

If you want to install an “earlier version”, you still have to buy a modern product. More details at www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=O3dlBPKop9g

audiotrue, 2012-09-03
@audiotrue

If you are buying not for personal use, but for an organization, then you can purchase volume licensing, for which obtaining a key is possible immediately for an earlier version. Moreover, you can immediately get a key for several products (for example, Win7, Win XP), and then decide what to install.