Windows activated itself.

[PaulCa]

I installed a new hard drive in my laptop, installed Windows 10 Home. During install I clicked "I do not have a product key".

I went on ebay and found a cheap key, but when I went to use it the "This PC -> Properties" has a product key and says windows is activated already.

I even ran: slmgr.vbs /dli

And it shows as Licensed and "RETAIL channel".

All I can think is the Windows 8 license that came on the laptop when I bought it has been picked up.

Is this normal? My cheap ebay key will expire in a few days, should I change the product key or give it to a friend? (Alternatively should I tell the seller it didn't work and ask for a refund?)

 

[PaulCa]

Additionally I didn't sign into my Microsoft account, even the Updates and Security->Activation screen shows no Microsoft account linked.

Someone mentioned that Samsung and other laptops save the windows product key in BIOS so that windows can find it. So all I can assume is it picked up my old Windows 8 license and allowed the upgrade.

Still a little unsure though. Is it likely MS could retract the activation later?

 

[PaulCa]

I think it shows how much money MS is making out of their Spy ware that they are effectively give it away for free for any machine that has previously had Windows 7 or 8 installed.