Here Is Everything You Need to Know About Windows Product Keys
Almost all of us have run into websites selling Windows activation keys at dirt-cheap rates at one point or another. But, although they are common, many people don’t know what Windows activation keys are and what they do.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about Windows activation keys.
What Is a Windows Product Key?
Windows activation keys (also called Windows product keys) are a form of license used to activate Windows. A Windows product key is a string of 25 characters that you can use to authenticate your copy of Windows. Windows product keys are unique, and no two product keys are the same.
While, with Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft can automatically verify the legitimacy of your copy, sometimes users do need to activate using product keys that they have purchased or the ones that came with the machine.
There are three types of Windows activation keys:
- Retail keys
- OEM keys
- Volume keys
Retail keys are the ones you get with a retail copy of Windows that you buy from a retail store or an online site. These keys either come inside the box, if you buy a boxed copy of Windows, or you receive them by email if you buy one digitally.
OEM keys, as the name suggests, come pre-installed on new OEM PCs. Such keys are digitally tied to the motherboard on the machine, so they can’t be transferred between computers like retail keys.
For instance, if you change the motherboard on an OEM PC, you’ll have to buy a new license key to activate Windows on your computer.
Volume keys are meant for corporations and governmental agencies. Volume keys are managed by IT administrators that control licenses for company computers.
How Do Windows Product Keys Work?
Windows Product keys are a way to authenticate a copy of Windows. When you enter a valid activation key, Windows sends the key to Microsoft servers where it is authenticated. If the key is genuine, your copy of Windows will be activated.
So, when you buy a product key, make sure to buy one from a reputable source. And if your valid key doesn’t seem to work, check our guide on how to make your activation key work on Windows 11.
Can I Use Windows Without a Product Key?
Yes, you can use Windows without a product key. A product key helps to authenticate your copy of Windows. This way Microsoft can make sure that you’ve paid for the operating system.
Although Microsoft requires every Windows system to be activated with a genuine license, the company doesn’t enforce the requirement in a way that would make the OS unusable.
For instance, if you are using Windows without activation, the OS will remind you to activate your copy by placing a sticky «Activate Windows» watermark in the bottom left corner of the display (see how to remove the Activate Windows watermark to get rid of it). You will also lose quite a lot of customization options.
So, while you can certainly use Windows without ever having to buy a product key or a license, we would recommend you buy a genuine product key to get the most out of Windows.
Where to Buy Windows Product Keys
You can buy Windows product keys from a variety of sources including official licenses straight from Microsoft. For instance, when you buy a boxed version of Windows 10 or 11, you will find the key inside the box or printed on the box.
That said, you may not need to buy a new Windows license if you’ve got a new Windows laptop. Many laptop manufacturers bundle Windows with their machines by pre-installing OEM activation keys on the computer or by printing product keys on stickers that come in the box or on the machine.
In this case, Windows will either automatically verify the copy using the installed key or you’ll have to enter the product key that came with the PC.
At the time of writing, you can buy Windows 11 Home on the official Microsoft website for $140. Many users who don’t want to pay these prices opt for third-party sellers that sell Windows activation keys at a fraction of the cost.
Windows product keys on sale at Whokeys
But before you jump the gun and splurge for a cheap activation key from a shady site, remember that such product keys can either be Microsoft Software Developer Network (MSDN) keys that the company issues to developers and IT professionals or are grey-market keys that can be from illegal channels.
While technically using product keys from third-party sites isn’t illegal, you should only buy ones from trusted sources.
Finally, Microsoft can revoke the MSDN license keys at any time. So, if you have the resources, you should always buy Windows license keys straight from Microsoft.
How Long Does a Windows Product Key Last?
Genuine Windows product keys last indefinitely. The keys will never expire. But things are a little different in the case of OEM Windows keys.
If you have an OEM key, as long as you don’t change your PC’s motherboard, the key will keep on working. OEM product keys are, in most cases, linked to the hardware when installed for the first time. So, when you change the motherboard of your PC, the hardware change causes the activation key to expire.
Can You Use the Same Product Key on Two Difference PCs?
For normal retail Windows activation keys, you can use the same product key on two different PCs, as long as you don’t use both machines at the same time. In other words, when you activate Windows on a PC with a specific product key, you can’t use the same key to activate another at the same time.
You can use the product key on another PC once you stop using the computer on which you originally installed it.
Purchase a Valid Windows License Key and Activate Your Windows Today
You don’t need to spend a fortune to obtain genuine Windows license keys, as there are legit third-party resellers offering product keys at affordable rates. And once you activate Windows, you can use it for years to come without having to worry about the drawbacks of an inactivated operating system.
For instance, with an activated copy of Windows, you won’t have to worry about receiving timely security and feature updates.
Why are some Windows keys so cheap?
Why Are They So Cheap? The websites selling cheap Windows 10 and Windows 7 keys aren’t getting legitimate retail keys straight from Microsoft. Some of these keys just come from other countries where Windows licenses are cheaper. These are referred to as “gray market” keys.
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View complete answer on howtogeek.com
Are Cheap Microsoft Keys legit?
They aren’t legitimate! Common sources of those cheap serial numbers are Microsoft programs like Developer Network, TechNet, Volume Licensing, etc.. You’re paying shady businesses and encouraging them to continue operating. They can deactivate at any time, and Microsoft won’t help you.
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View complete answer on pktech.net
Why are some Windows license so cheap?
Why are cheap Windows 10 Pro keys so inexpensive? Websites selling cheap Windows 10 Pro keys are not official stockists of Microsoft products. The keys they offer are not legitimate – they are typically obtained one of two ways: The keys are purchased from countries where Windows licenses cost less.
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View complete answer on computercures.com.au
Are cheap Windows 10 keys legit or fake?
While we can’t vouch for all of them, websites selling cheap Windows 10 or 11 keys are likely offering legitimate codes. Kinguin has more than three dozen merchants worldwide selling Windows keys.
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View complete answer on tomshardware.com
Why are Windows 10 keys so cheap on eBay?
Why is Windows so cheap on eBay? Some of the people that sell windows keys are selling them illegally (they probably stole these keys from others). Other sellers have somehow managed to acquire cheap keys from other sources.
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View complete answer on quora.com
Are Cheap Windows 10 Keys Legit or Fake?
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View complete answer on answers.microsoft.com
What is the best place to buy Windows 10 product key?
The best place to buy Windows 10 keys is through the official Microsoft website. However, you can also buy from other trusted websites like eBay, Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, KeysOff, and Kinguin. Don’t forget to check user reviews before buying a Windows 10 key online!
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View complete answer on computerinfobits.com
Is it okay to use free Windows 10 product key?
You are absolutely free to use it, any way you want. Using the free Windows 10 seems a much better option than pirating Windows 10 Key which is most probably infected with spyware and malware. To download the free version of Windows 10, head over to Microsoft’s official website and download the Media Creation Tool.
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View complete answer on beebom.com
Are Windows OEM keys legit?
Yes, OEMs are legal licenses. The only difference is they cannot be transferred to another computer.
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View complete answer on answers.microsoft.com
Is it worth to buy genuine Windows 10?
Yes. You’ll still be able to get critical security updates. However, many updates are exclusively for customers with genuine versions of Windows. We strongly recommend that you get genuine Microsoft software immediately to keep you safer while using your PC.
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View complete answer on support.microsoft.com
What is an OEM Windows key?
An OEM licence is a Windows licence that comes pre-installed on a PC when it is initially purchased. OEM licences should only be provided by system Builders and it is a legit licence. If that licence came pre-installed on your PC, you can use that to re-install Windows on that PC any number of times.
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View complete answer on answers.microsoft.com
What are the disadvantages of unlicensed Windows?
6 Disadvantages of Not Activating Windows 10
- Unactivated Windows 10 has limited features.
- You won’t get crucial security updates.
- Bug fixes and patches.
- Limited personalization settings.
- Activate Windows watermark.
- You’ll get persistent notifications to activate Windows 10.
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View complete answer on computerinfobits. com
What are the 3 types of Windows licensing?
The three types of licenses are;
- Full Packaged Product (FPP) or Retail. You can get this type of Windows license from retail merchants or buy from the Microsoft store. …
- OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). …
- Volume license keys for use on PCs associated with an organization.
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Is it illegal to sell Microsoft keys?
It would be legal to resell a retail Windows 10 license, provided you wipe it from the machine where it is installed, but it would not be legal to resell an OEM license, which is one associated with an installation that was preinstalled by the factory, without transferring the original hardware with it.
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View complete answer on answers.microsoft.com
How do I know if my Windows key is legit?
Use Command Prompt
Type the following command and hit the enter key: slmgr /dli. The command will display the Windows 10 edition, License Status, and the type of key – OEM or RETAIL.
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Is it OK to buy game keys?
You may purchase keys from a store and find they work just fine. Only later, the game will stop working. This happens when publishers catch on to suspicious keys being used and cancel the keys. Also, as the purchaser of a game key you may get in trouble if the key in question was stolen or otherwise obtained illegally.
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View complete answer on makeuseof.com
Which is better retail or OEM?
An OEM Windows 10 license is much cheaper than a Windows 10 Retail license. Users who buy a Windows 10 Retail license can get support from Microsoft. However, users who have a Windows 10 OEM license can only get support from the manufacturer of their devices.
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View complete answer on partitionwizard.com
Where do cheap Microsoft keys come from?
Volume licensing is one of the most likely scenarios for cheap product keys. Volume licensing is when anyone needs hundreds, even thousands of Windows licenses and purchases a single product key for all their computers.
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View complete answer on m.majorgeeks.com
What is retail vs OEM key?
The Basic Difference between OEM and Retail Key: OEM Keys are one-time usable keys if you use any OEM Key that key won’t work in other PC as it get associated with the Motherboard for Lifetime. The Retail key is usable anytime anywhere, just make sure you are using the Retail key once at a time in any one PC only.
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View complete answer on quora. com
Is it illegal to activate Windows free?
Installing Windows without a license is not illegal. However, activating the operating system through other means without an officially purchased product key is illegal. If you plan to use Windows 10 at home but don’t want to pay, it may be better to use the system without activation.
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View complete answer on softwarekeep.com
Is Windows 11 still free?
Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.
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View complete answer on support.microsoft.com
Is Windows 10 free now 2022?
As you can guess, it is very much possible to still upgrade and get Windows 10 for free in 2022. You just need to follow our methods covered above — from using your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key or even getting a license through work or school at no cost.
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View complete answer on digitaltrends.com
What is the price of Windows 10 lifetime key?
windows 10 pro lifetime activation key is available on flipkart online shopping stote at rs 599.Is this product authentic to buy?
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View complete answer on answers.microsoft.com
Is a Windows 10 product key the same as a license key?
They both mean the same thing- by concept. The location of your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows: From an authorized retailer. The product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in.
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View complete answer on answers. microsoft.com
How can I get Windows 10 for free Legally?
If you’ve downloaded the Media Creation Tool on the machine you plan to upgrade, and you plan to upgrade that PC and only that PC, you can choose the Upgrade This PC Now option. That option installs the most recent version of Windows 10.
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View complete answer on zdnet.com
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