# Purchasing A New FS X Activation Key

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [March 7, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728 "2011-03-07T02:18:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728/1 "2011-03-07T02:18:09Z")

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If one has purchased a used FS X game and like a dumb-ass didn’t realize he’d need an activation key which works, can a new key be purchased from Microsoft or is one shit out of luck and limited to just playing the trial version?

Thanks

The Dumb Ass:)

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728/2 "2011-03-07T02:33:47Z")

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I assume FS X is “flight simulator x”.

Googling your problem brings up a bunch of bootleg versions of it, which is not what you want. I think if I were you, I’d try to call Microsoft and see if you can get a new one directly from them.

Voice: 1-800-Microsoft (642-7676) - This is their number for licenses and general help.

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728/3 "2011-03-07T03:39:40Z")

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Thanks, **Mahaloth** , that was my next plan. And my search turned up a bunch of cracks, rar’s (whatever those are) and they all sounded like piracy.

I was just wondering if one could legitimately buy a key from Microsoft online.

Thanks

Q

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**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728/4 "2011-03-07T04:19:13Z")

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I would imagine that if you got a legitimate used copy (as opposed to a bootleg one with a key that’s been used a zillion times), it should be possible for the Microsoft Activation center people to unlock it for you. As far as I know you’re still allowed to sell used software, although I don’t know if it’s sufficiently frowned-upon that you should artfully avoid mentioning it to the call center people.

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**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purchasing-a-new-fs-x-activation-key/573728/5 "2011-03-07T04:39:50Z")

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You can purchase a new copy directly from [gamesforwindows.com](http://gamesforwindows.com)

It’s digital, so youll get the key right away, and it’s available for download.