It came to our attention that often people are looking to reinstall Windows for many reasons and are not aware of all the licensing and trial periods that come with the process.

WARNING: Some computer repair shops take advantage of it and are installing trial versions without telling their customers that there are additional licenses (in hundreds of dollars) that will be incurred once the activation period is over!

Every time Windows XP or Vista is installed, first of all there is a license / activation code that comes with a new computer.

The activation code can be located on laptop's / computer's case. This code once activated will normally work only with that computer. There are many unique identifiers that tell Microsoft that it is the same computer.

If for instance you had Vista but now would want to reinstall your computer with XP, you cannot simply down grade for free. You will have to purchase a license in order to activate XP.

Often people get their windows reinstalled with a trial version and than get an activation screen 30-days later. That means that you did not enter or purchase the license to run that version of windows.

Some people assume that Windows comes with Microsoft Office. That is not the case. The same rules apply for Microsoft Office.

You may find a 30-days trial installed on your computer but you will have to purchase a license and active it once it expires.

Related articles:

How does Microsoft Activation and Licensing works?