title: Testing if Windows product key is valid
body: <p>I want to buy a Windows Vista product key from what appears to be an old laptop. I was wondering how I can test if it still works (because I am aware of certain limitations on the number of computer you can register a key on). The idea I had is to create a VM with Windows Vista, disconnect it from the Internet and then use the key on it. If it works - just delete the VM.
  <br>Should this work in practice?
  <br>Also is it possible the key to be tied to the specific laptop it came from?
  <br>Thank you in advance.</p>