Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Can I sell my XP Home Edition Retail CD?

Jun 9, 2012 1:03PM PDT

Hi everyone. I have a perfectly fine Windows XP 32bit retail cd gathering dust, and I'd like to sell it and find a new home for it. This CD was installed a few years back, and I have no idea if it's still in activation. I had switched to Windows 7 about two years ago, by clean installing W7 over this copy I'd like to sell. Not sure if the license key has been deactivated, or if its even possible.

Can I legally sell this CD on ebay? I have found quite a few used retail cd copies being sold on ebay. I paid about $200 at a CompUSA a while back, it may be worth $30 or more on the secondary market, and would love to get something for it versus using it as a drink coaster!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
That depends
Jun 9, 2012 7:12PM PDT

That depends... What version of Windows 7 did you buy? If it was the upgrade version, then no, because you're still technically using that XP license. If you bought the full retail version of 7, then you should be able to resell that XP disc.

Upgrade versions of Windows don't technically have a license, they just transfer the license from your old copy of Windows to the new one. So if you sold your copy of XP, you'd be selling your Windows license, and then lose your legal right to use Windows 7.

There is also the matter of XP being just a little shy of 10 years old, and already on life support. I know there are plenty of people out there who think it's the greatest bit of software Microsoft has put out ever... At least that is the opinion they adopted a year or two after it was released and the hardware had a chance to catch up with the increased demands of the OS, but the reality of the situation is that it's an aging and decrepit piece of junk that is riddled with numerous security issues which will never be fixed. Especially if you're trying to use it on anything even resembling modern hardware. If you've got an old P4 system that's one thing, but any kind of dual-core or better CPU, and the XP process scheduler is woefully ill-equipped, just for starters. So I certainly understand the desire to want to find something a good new home, and it's commendable, but when it comes to a decade old bit of software, it's probably better to mothball it.

- Collapse -
It's Retail
Jun 10, 2012 10:16AM PDT

Thanks for the reply. My windows 7 is retail as well, not upgrade. So it appears I can legally sell my retail XP CD, I'm just curious about how the new owner would activate it, as I never deactivated/uninstalled XP when I installed the new OS, I just wiped out the hard drive and did a clean install of W7.

Can someone shed some light on this process? I will only sell the CD if I can be confident that the new user can use the CD's key as printed on the packaging.

- Collapse -
The process is simple for retail.
Jun 10, 2012 10:21AM PDT

You install it, then activate it. No muss or fuss since the retail is not limited as others are.

HOWEVER you may find folk DEMAND how to install XP. If you read http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7587_102-2699006.html you see that you want to be sure you are clear you are not going to help them install XP.

Even worse is many of today's machines have NO XP DRIVERS (ever!) And many owners go down in flames if the machine has a SATA HDD. All this is well discussed and I will not broach that subject here except to help you avoid the buyer that demands install help.
Bob

- Collapse -
How does the new user activate?
Jun 10, 2012 5:28PM PDT

Ok, I feel like I can basically just go and sell the CD on Ebay. My concern is about what will happen when the new owner is finished the install and gets to the activation screen. I'm sure they will call Microsoft tech support, and he/she can explain they bought it fair and square on the secondary market, but will Microsoft respect this transaction and allow them to activate, presumably they will give the owner a new key.

I'm sorry for so many questions, I just want to be sure I'm in the right here before I proceed with the Auction process.

- Collapse -
Activation is simple if the user has an internet connection
Jun 10, 2012 7:27PM PDT

They will be offered an opportunity to activate immediately after the installation. If they don't do so, they will be "nagged" over the next 30 days to do so. If they do not comply during the allowable period, XP will no longer function.

As for "can you sell the disk", yes you can but it's up to MS to accept its reuse if it has been previously installed and activated. Personally, if the disk doesn't indicate SP1 or above, I'd consider it to be a coaster. That it's the Home and not Pro version might also be a liability so your market is limited. I'd say your best opportunity to unload it would be to find some unlucky soul who already has this version and lost their disk. They still may have their own license and PID code that would work with the disk you have as long as the volume name was the same.

- Collapse -
Service Pack is included
Jun 11, 2012 2:59PM PDT

It has SP2, and from what I've seen on Ebay, the home edition is in decent demand.
I'm hopeful that I'll get a decent amount for the auction, considering some resellers are charging over $100 for a new copy.

- Collapse -
I happen to just be needing a fine Windows XP 32-bit CD.
Jun 11, 2012 11:09AM PDT

I just spoke with MS Windows support by phone. Too bad for me that they don't support XP at all any longer. I can't find my own CD of XP home edition, likely due to a big home move this past year. The support guy gave me a Case Number so I can call back IF I find my copy of the XP install disk. I'm needing to upgrade an old 2006 back-up hard drive from Windoze 2000. I have a paypal account and I sell and buy on ebay. Microsoft will give me an activation code to make the old XP disk work. I have to upgrade my Win 2000 OS to Win XP then I can install my purchased version of Windows 7. Anyway, let me know if you list the CD. Susan Zimmer California

- Collapse -
Auction will start soon
Jun 11, 2012 3:01PM PDT

Hi, I'll probably start the auction by Wednesday. I'll be sure to let you know.

- Collapse -
My CD is now on Ebay
Jun 14, 2012 4:40PM PDT