Second-hand Software: Microsoft, Adobe, and Office Licenses
Did you know it is perfectly legal to buy second-hand software in Europe? Thanks to a historic ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU, Microsoft Windows, Office, and Adobe licenses can be legally resold and reused. At IT And Office, discover our range of refurbished software licenses — original, authenticated, and up to 70% cheaper than new prices.
Summary
- Is it legal? European case law
- License types: OEM, Retail, Volume
- Second-hand Microsoft Windows licenses
- Second-hand Microsoft Office licenses
- Second-hand Adobe licenses
- License comparison by usage
- How to verify the authenticity of a license?
- 5 tips for buying wisely
- FAQ
1. Is it legal? European case law
The resale of second-hand software in Europe is legal and regulated by two major texts:
- ⚖️ UsedSoft v. Oracle ruling (CJEU, 2012): the Court of Justice of the EU established that the exhaustion of rights principle applies to downloaded software, allowing its resale.
- ⚖️ Directive 2009/24/EC: legal protection of computer programs, confirming the legality of resale under conditions.
⚠️ Mandatory conditions: the original license must be permanently deactivated on the previous seller’s device at the time of resale. At IT And Office, each license is deactivated and delivered with its original documentation.
2. License types: OEM, Retail, Volume
| Type | Description | Transferable? | Legally resellable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM | Tied to original hardware (preinstalled on PC/server) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Retail (boxed) | Purchased boxed or direct download | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| MAK Volume | Multiple key for enterprise deployment | ✅ Under conditions | ✅ Yes |
| KMS Volume | Activation via internal KMS server | ✅ Under conditions | ✅ Yes |
| Microsoft 365 | Monthly/annual cloud subscription | ❌ No | ❌ No |
💡 At IT And Office, we only offer legally resellable Retail and Volume licenses, with complete documentation.
3. Second-hand Microsoft Windows Licenses
The Microsoft Windows Retail licenses (Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, Windows Server) are the most requested second-hand licenses. They are transferable from one machine to another and can be activated directly on the Microsoft website.
- 🔵 Windows 10 Pro: extended support until October 2025, ideal for machines without TPM 2.0
- 🔵 Windows 11 Pro: recommended for recent compatible machines
- 🔵 Windows Server 2019 / 2022: for server infrastructures
👉 See refurbished Windows licenses
4. Used Microsoft Office licenses
Perpetual Microsoft Office licenses (Office 2019, Office 2021, Office 2016) are fully resellable in Retail or Open License (Volume) versions. They include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook without a monthly subscription.
- 🔵 Office 2021 Professional Plus: the most recent perpetual license version
- 🔵 Office 2019 Professional Plus: widely available used, excellent value for money
- 🔵 Office 2016 Professional Plus: perfect for older machines
⚠️ Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a monthly subscription not resellable as used. Only perpetual licenses are available.
👉 See refurbished Office licenses
5. Used Adobe licenses
Older Adobe perpetual versions (Creative Suite CS6, Acrobat DC Perpetual, Acrobat 2020) are legally resellable. Adobe Creative Cloud is a non-resellable subscription.
- 🔵 Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Perpetual: the reference professional PDF license
- 🔵 Adobe Creative Suite CS6: last perpetual version of the creative suite
- 🔵 Adobe Acrobat 2020: modern perpetual version, compatible with Windows and Mac
👉 See refurbished Adobe licenses
6. License comparison by usage
| Software | Used version | Estimated used price | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 Pro | Retail | 25 – 50 € | Professional PC |
| Windows Server 2022 | Retail / Open | 150 – 400 € | SMB server |
| Office 2021 Pro Plus | Open License | 40 – 80 € | Office suite |
| Office 2019 Pro Plus | Open License | 25 – 50 € | Affordable office suite |
| Acrobat Pro DC | Retail perpetual | 60 – 120 € | Professional PDF management |
| Adobe CS6 Master | Retail | 80 – 150 € | Graphic design, photo |
7. How to verify the authenticity of a license?
- ✅ Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA): hologram present on original Retail licenses
- ✅ Original purchase documentation: initial purchase invoice from the authorized Microsoft reseller
- ✅ Key deactivated on the seller’s side: verify that the license is no longer active on another machine
- ⚠️ Beware of abnormally low prices: a Windows Pro key at €3 on eBay is almost always illegal
- ✅ Buy from a reputable reseller: IT And Office provides complete documentation for each license
8. 5 tips for buying used software wisely
- Check the license type: only Retail and Volume licenses are legally resellable. Avoid OEM.
- Require documentation: certificate of authenticity, original proof of purchase, deactivation confirmation.
- Beware of prices that are too low: under €10 for Windows Pro is suspicious.
- Prefer perpetual licenses over subscriptions for fixed workstations in companies: no annual renewal needed.
- Buy in bulk: IT And Office offers volume discounts for IT fleet equipment. See the catalog.
FAQ — Used Software
Is it legal to buy used software?
Yes in Europe. The UsedSoft vs Oracle (CJEU 2012) ruling legalizes license resale under conditions: the license must be deactivated by the seller.
Difference between OEM, Retail, and Volume?
OEM = tied to hardware, non-transferable. Retail = transferable between PCs. Volume = bought in bulk by companies, resellable under conditions.
Can you buy used Office?
Yes, perpetual Office 2016/2019/2021 Retail and Open License. Not Microsoft 365 (subscription).
How to verify the authenticity of a license?
Require the Microsoft COA, original purchase invoice, and deactivation confirmation. Beware of keys under €10.
Used Windows 10 or Windows 11?
Windows 11 for recent machines (TPM 2.0). Windows 10 for older incompatible machines.
Are used Adobe licenses available?
Yes for perpetual versions (CS6, Acrobat DC Perpetual). Not Adobe Creative Cloud (subscription).
🛒 Refurbished Software Licenses — IT And Office • Microsoft Windows • Office • Adobe • 100% Legal • Documented