What You Need To Know About Your Windows Product Key

[@Britec09]

What type of key do you have? Drop us a LIKE 👍

[@LimbaZero]

I have 2 old retail keys from win7 (ultimate version) days. Running now win10 now in main computer and server. Few times had to use key from the box when activation failed. It usually just say this license is not currently in use in your account and then use it. Also started to prepare time after win10 by giving new life for old vista laptop by starting to test ubuntu.

[@lonndawg7554]

Brian, I purchased a few keys from VIP CD sales, using your offer code. I even purchased a Windows 7 Pro license key to be used on a virtual machine in VMware... I I was curious about one thing and that is if I have to destroy my virtual machine and start over if I'm hearing you correctly when I create the new machine the retail key apparently will apply to that new machine, because it's a retail key ? hopefully I understand things correctly, and creating a new virtual machine will activate using the product key as long as it's a retail version. Because it's transferable. You create virtual machines more than I do so I'm hoping you can clarify things for me... ?

[@Rabitson]

OEM, I bought it at a discount using your code. Cheers!

[@tonedcos]

I paid 300 euro for a retail home key for win 11, good to know i can reuse it.

[@tonedcos]

I also had occasion to contact support, waste of time on the phone, i got feckless Indian women who just hung up etc, i found the best Microsoft support was on Twitter. Awesome service compared to outsourced iffy Indian sub contractors.

[@Calx9]

Amazing video. I had to go to like 20 different sites just to learn what you taught us in 1 video. Nice dude

[@skaterboizjoe]

Your videos are always educational and easy to follow. The commands were easy to use and I saw what I needed. WIth my toshiba laptops the keys are permanently activated as long as I keep the motherboard

[@Britec09]

Nice

[@rohit_in]

Thank you for explaining this... I had a lot of doubts regarding the product keys. you have captured all those questions in your video. Thanks, man.

[@tylerchambliss8379]

I don't understand why Microsoft doesn't get with the time and make Windows free like every other OS on the market.

[@Britec09]

It is free to upgrade if its activated.

[@StaceyAyodele]

AMEN. Windows should be free already

[@writerpatrick]

You can still run it, at least W10, for free without activating it, but with some limitations. Once you exclude Linux, there really isn't any market. Apple's OS requires you buy an Apple computer. And Linux won't run most of the software or support all the hardware that Microsoft does. While most versions of Linux are free, you wind up paying for it in other ways.

[@nathanyellowstarthegoanimator]

@@writerpatrick MacOS Don't have Activation. I consider installing mAcOs on my Windows 8.1. Though I get Windows 8.1 Activated in 2022

[@chrisgeorgiou8680]

They... somehow do!... They do not chase illegal copying much anymore, they seem to even...tolerate it a little, do not disable the obviously illegal licenses you get for $10, allow you to run Windows unactivated, offer free upgrades from much older versions, etc etc. So while they keep reminding you to buy a genuine license they aren't going to stop you if you don't!... And it makes sense too, because they estimate to make more money from the data mining they perform on your PC than the license price...

[@vancecost]

I have a Windows Pro XP that came in a sealed plastic case with the product key that AVA Direct built me in 2007. They are great computer builders. I am not being paid in anyway. But I have used this key all the way up to Windows 11 Beta Channel.

[@Dhalin]

A long time ago, I bought a 3-pack of windows 7 keys (one key able to be used 3 times) for cheap on Newegg and IIRC, it was on sale. I remember reading somewhere that Microsoft forgets obsolete activation keys after X months, I've heard 6, 8 or maybe 12 months? Anyhow it seems to work because every time I've used those Windows 7 keys, they work. I haven't installed w11 yet, but every time I do a win10 install, it works fine. And the fact I have _three_ uses of that W7 key, and the fact that their activation status is forgotten after a few months, it is highly unlikely I will use all three "charges" of that key within the 6-12 month timeframe.

[@CoolDudeClem]

I used a windows 7 key to activate Windows 10 one time, both being the home version it worked.

[@Ratchet_effect]

My key is Retail and it come from the the same company that you have as a sponsor Brian! Just had some new parts turn up so I'll need them again later 😁👍🏻

[@Britec09]

Don't forget to show us the photos of your new pc

[@lonndawg7554]

yep... Same here

[@Ratchet_effect]

KZbin won't allow me to post links oh and its x2 PC(s) I bought parts between eBay and & Amazon as I can't get a straight answer from PC shops, to much beating about the bush sadly. That's why I stopped working for them some years back, to much ankle kicking under counter 'don't tell the customer' charge them instead. oh no don't tell them free! charge them £25+ 🤦‍♂️ that was just part of it all, things were worse! but don't want to go down that road on here Brian! I'll try get on discord with pics IF I can get my 2FA sorted out, my old mobile went into the river so had to get new number 😥

[@evilsdemise1287]

OEM keys all the way for me. You'd have to replace your hardware like 20 times to spend more money than you would have if you'd buy a retail key. Most people (myself included) never change their hardware, and if they do for whatever reason it's not a common occurrence so another 17 bucks or so for another OEM key isn't a big deal. You'd still be saving $200+.

[@thereallantesh]

You can buy a legit retail key from a third party reseller for $17 or less. There is no need to limit yourself to an OEM key.

[@colt5189]

I bought a retail Window 11 Pro key for like $7.

[@PC4USE1]

I had an OEM key for an Asus 4th Gen Intel mobo. I reused the hard drive and purchased an Asus 9th Gen mobo. It upgraded to Win 10 with no problems. It was a shot in the dark for me but worked.

[@writerpatrick]

If you used Insider Preview to install Windows 10 those keys were deactivated but you can still reinstall or upgrade on machines that were activated using it since they are tied to your Microsoft Account.

[@zippytoad507]

Great video, thanks.

[@DTMAce]

Hate to disagree, but having built and repaired computers for the past two decades, there are a few caveats with OEM keys in general. OEM keys that are used in the OS often are not the same as the key that is included on the actual case. (Till Windows 8 that is.) Back then the OEM systems were often activated with an OEM OS insert key that was completely different than the one on the label. That means you could use the label to re-activate the system if you changed hardware in it, providing you either replaced it with the same brand motherboard and use the OEM recovery install, or any motherboard and used the standard OEM vanilla install disk. Even now, with Windows 11, you can literally install 11 onto a new built machine with a USB stick, during the setup plug in (for example) an HP OEM key peeled from a dead laptop for Windows 7, and it will activate in Windows 11, no problem. PROVIDING it hasn't been used for a Windows activation previously. Though often you can activate an OEM key off of a main manufacturer of PCs, (like Dell, HP, Lenovo) a couple of times before you have to make a call and verify it with MS. I have had to make that call a lot back in the Win 7 days when activating an OEM key from say HP with a standard OEM install. Mostly because the activation knew it was not a direct match. But all the automated call would do is verify the key and activate it, no problem. I have not had to do this with Windows 10 or 11. Ever. And I have activated from Windows 7 keys many, many times the past few years without any issues at all. Either from direct upgrades, or fresh installs. Nice part about the newer OEM systems these days, the keys are stored directly in the motherboard from the various OEMs. That means, as long as that motherboard works, you can use ANY release version of either Home or Pro (whichever it came with) of Windows you want. 8, 10, or 11. Best part is, once you activate a key with a machine, it stays with that hardware, you will never have to type it in or activate it again, even for a fresh install on new drives. As long as the motherboard doesn't change. And even then, if you managed to link the machine properly to your microsoft account, you often can still transfer that license to a new board if the previous motherboard dies. The more you know.

[@edwardmacnab354]

i don't even understand what you said

[@triforcelink]

That’s pretty cool that a new key gets stored on the motherboard.

[@problemchild959]

OEM keys are not necessarily tied to hardware. I have used my OEM key on 5 different computers throughout my life. I have no idea why your claiming they are tied to the hardware. Only reason it deactivates on a hardware change is because it uses a machine ID at time of activation and if that ID changes, it assumes you tried to take said drive out and put it in a new machine. This is checked because its so simple to clone an entire drive, put it in a second machine and then you would get a second copy of windows free. It has nothing to do with being tied to the hardware. this is the biggest misconception in windows. all I had to do was use the phone activation, tell the rep this is the only pc its used on and they gave me my confirmation code every time.

[@avejst]

Great walkthrough Thanks for sharing your expirence with all of us

[@Britec09]

My pleasure!

[@wayneosman8971]

Britec, I was hoping you touched on this subject. I never noticed or rather saw a product key repeat, and I use new Keys for each Windows machine. I decided to use "regedit" and found the product key on two machines, both had the same key, I installed Windows 10 on them with different Keys One OEM and one Retail key and on a piece of tape I write the "Product Key" somewhere on the computer. Now I need to install Windows on another computer. I used the same Information for over 10 yrs. (these computers never leave the house and are secure via. VPN. I suspect Microsoft is using the same retail key on both computers. My options are call Microsoft or forget about it. I have 6 sets of Win 10 pro Keys and one Win 11. Now for the "RUB" since I changed cases on all but 2 computers it's going to be a shell game to find out which motherboard went with which case.

[@tcntad87]

Im pretty sure if its activated by VL/MAK its a corporate key and it would say "Windows is activated using your organization's activation service. I bet to 99.9% the KMSCLient partial key is T83GX which is kinda public and the KMS host tricks windows into thinking its activated, refreshed every 180 day or whatever, all it does it replies to Windows question "Is this key OK" Different MB's have different HWID's so theyre different. OEM_DM are present in UEFI and Windows will install appropriate version if found in install media.

[@sajjadkhan9710]

Excellent 👍 info. Thanks

[@brianlukas2868]

very informative. Thank you

[@grampi68]

Great explanation and very helpful. Can you do the same for MS Office activation keys? Thanks!

[@Britec09]

See what I can do

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

I still use Open Office. Free, and just as good in my (admittedly limited) experience.

[@eddyvideostar]

Hello Brit: At 1:25 minutes can I use the same key if changing my hard drive?

[@chrlmlln9018]

Dear, sir, a very big and warm THANK, to you, for your greatly helpful Y T Channel! Your knowledge is amazing and your way to explain and help us are very good! So, please, receive my appreciation and thankfulness for being a subscriber to your fine Y T Channel! Wishing you all the very best and stay richly blessed every new day! Best regards from Sweden!

[@smada36]

I have bought motherboards off eBay, installed a fresh copy of windows and had it automatically activate. These were test rigs that I had no intention of activating, just testing and benchmarking parts. Quite odd. The only time that I have had an issue was five or six years ago. I had got in touch with Microsoft to get a third party key to activate, and I seem to recall it was over live chat. I was asked where I had got the key as they said it looked an unusual one. What exactly that looked unusual was never disclosed. Maybe it was meant for another part of the world. I guess they must keep track of all these keys. But it activated as an OEM and now I have absolutely no idea what happened to that PC. It's probably in bits on the shelf in storage.

[@STONE69_]

But you had to sign in to MS account, with the new Motherboard, otherwise it would not work. You failed to state this in your comment.

[@smada36]

@@STONE69_ Maybe, I don't remember. However, it still activated with an OEM key that I did not buy or input and did not have the rest of the hardware for. So if I did login with my MS account, it would have linked that key to me. In theory, it's not supposed to do that. 🤷‍♂

[@PaulJohn01]

Can't believe i'm this early, also very relevant as i'm about to build a new system and give my old one to my wife.

[@Britec09]

Thanks for watching

[@PaulJohn01]

@@Britec09 Always informative 👍. I'm just waiting to see if someone comments asking what are "porkies" 🤔😁🤣

[@Britec09]

Porky's It means two things in UK Telling Porky's = Lies and Porky = Fat. hope this helps. Slang words

[@PaulJohn01]

@@Britec09 Oh yeah i knew that as i'm from the UK 😁. Was wondering if it was going to confuse any of your US/International viewers.

[@pinchisancho9551]

Hi, there Brian and thank you for sharing. I found out that I have a OEM key. I came across your video by looking on how to find the Product ID for my Office, but this was fine. I reset my computer because it was running slow, so the Question for is do you have a video out or instructions on how to Find the or Retrieve the Office product ID? It seems that it only displayed only possibly the last 5 digits. Thank you and looking forward to your reply.

[@anomamos9095]

There are some commands that use the slmgr command to install and activate keys. As long as it’s a legit key there should be no issue using these commands.

[@thereallantesh]

Great content. I followed your instructions in a previous video on how to deactivate my key in order to then use it on another PC. One thing none of the commands seem to show though is how to see what version of Windows a key was originally for. I know I purchased a Windows 10 key. Is there a command I can run that will specifically show it as Windows 10?

[@jay-9197]

I know your comment is from 3 months ago, but just in case you will ever need this information again, simply type in cmd " winver " (without quotation marks). Hope that helps!

[@thereallantesh]

@@jay-9197 thank you sir

[@VirtualTrucker74]

Bought a PC from Currys back in 2012, came pre-installed with Windows 7 and a special offer to upgrade to the then brand new Windows 8 Professional for a wallet busting price of 14 British pounds. Not only that but the upgrade meant I was changing from an OEM License to a Retail License. 10 years later and I'm on home built PC number 5 and Windows 11, all using the same license key I bought back in 2012. As for the actual PC I bought in 2012, it was an HP something or other with an I7 processor, ironically it stopped working on the exact date the warranty ran out, which is why I switched from bre-builds to home builds.

[@TopCrinkly68]

Yet another Gem!!

[@Britec09]

Thanks

[@Nick41622]

I had Windows 7 on a disk I used that key over and over and then upgraded to10 with no problems Windows seems to forget it was used before about every 3 months. In Australia.

[@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD]

Hello, thank you for your valuable educational videos, I have a retail key and I could install it on a second computer, any explanation?

[@Britec09]

One Licence = One Computer. So if you are asking whether you can activate say windows 10 on two computers with one retail key, then the answer is NO.

[@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD]

@@Britec09 I have activated 2 win 11 pro computers with the same retail key

[@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD]

@@LiorTestg Hi Lior, They are both actually connected to the interned now and have been since 3 months

[@lonndawg7554]

@@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD yeah, I had a similar experience with Windows 7 about 10 years ago, but here's what happened after a great deal of time... Apparently Microsoft does its product key activation sweeps and well suddenly I found that machine lost it's license key validation... So consider yourself a lucky guy until potentially that happens right now Microsoft is so desperate to keep people on Windows 10 and 11 they might let this go on for quite a while.

[@tcntad87]

You can move retail keys

[@misplacedmodifier46]

Thanks - excellent

[@Britec09]

You are welcome!

[@Scion141]

Maybe someone here can explain this to me. A year or two after Windows 8 (Pro) was released, I bought a physical copy at a store, as it was being sold for cheap. I installed it on my PC, and years later, I took the free upgrade to Windows 10. A few years after that, I bought a laptop that came with Windows 10 Home Edition. A year later, I remembered my Windows 8 Pro, and decided to try using it on my laptop, and try upgrading from Home to Pro. I did, and it worked. My PC has Windows 10 Pro, and so does my laptop, using the same Windows 8 Pro product key. When I check the Product ID on both, the only difference is the last two characters.

[@problemchild959]

If you check it also most like says activated with a digital something (forget the exact wording). that's because when you do an Upgrade, it generates a new key. so by installing it on a second machine which has a different hardware id and then doing the upgrade, it made a new key for that computer. its actually a pretty simple way of getting around buying windows 10 if you had an upgrade-able system. I have a friend who has installed Windows 10 on 5 machines using the *same* windows 7 key. not sure if it still works but at one time as long as it wasn't an OEM key, you could install windows 10 with a windows 7 key because of the free upgrade, and it would also generate a new key because the keys for each os are different.

[@Scion141]

@@problemchild959 Ah, that makes sense.

[@smokinghazards123]

Nice informative video. Thank you. Could you please mention which is the most secure key?

[@jossmaxwell00]

OEM, I bought it at a discount using your code. Brian thanks

[@JDHitchman]

Brian just an FYI, my Windows 10 Pro retail key worked with a fresh install of Windows 11 Pro.

[@TayaHeiney]

Thanks Hypest Key , received windows 11 + office 2021 pro plus

[@Dhalin]

Ok, so..... my computer is kinda weird, lol. What I did was I used a Windows 7 key to install Windows 10 (but yet install it fresh on a new HDD) and so I don't have an OEM, nor a volume key. I think it's a retail key? But I'm unclear on that. But I've been able to re-use it a number of times, and it seems like it will let me re-use it (this is the 2nd time I've upgraded my computer and successfully used that key to install windows) and IIRC, Windows 7 keys are "forgotten" after a number of months, so if you have an old Win7 key laying around, it might be worth trying that. IIRC, windows 10 will ask you to put a win7 install disc in to verify that you do in fact have a valid win7 install as evidence that you own a win7 license or some-such. I forget the exact process, it's been awhile. Also might be worthwhile to keep an activated win7 on some small cheap SSD somewhere so you can put that in your system (install w10/11 on your new SSD of course and then remove the old win7 SSD to re-use later) and windows will see that you have win7 on your computer currently and just generate a free key for you, lol.

[@fernandozornosa6398]

Great video Mr britec,taht piracy software Is true,thanks.

[@frymc5351]

Is it possible to activate OEM keys after new motherboard through connection to the microsoft account? If you used a online microsoft account the key is also associated with the microsoft account as far as i know. so if you change your motherboard it perhaps gets reactivated when the user is again logged in in the microsoft account?

[@creed5248]

Last I checked they / Microsoft was still allowing free upgrades from Windows 7 installations . Seems like they don't care as much about charging for newer Operating systems . Maybe because of all the ad stuff built in nowadays ?

[@Ballacka69]

Hey Britec. I wanna ask you a question. Is the app called "Explorer patcher" safe? I heard that it can damage your computer.

[@Britec09]

Video coming Monday

[@Ballacka69]

@@Britec09 ok

[@1300l]

I used my old Windows 8.1 key on 10 and now 11. It all work fine

[@Britec09]

Yes, it will do

[@TGGDrones]

I've always stuck with a retail key and it's stuck by me too, I got a free upgrade to Windows 10, changed my PC and I'll probably get a free upgrade to Windows 11 once they remove the need for a TPM.

[@Pabula]

What software is on your top right corner, that measure cpu, gpa temperature ?

[@Britec09]

Made a video about it not so long ago.

[@Pabula]

@@LiorTestg thanks

[@CoMmAnDrX]

OEM aka companies like HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and so on have the key embedded in the firmware. So if you have to swap the board you will have no activation issues. I've swapped many boards with the key embedded going back to Windows 8.0 with no issues.

[@skilz8098]

That's fine if you buy a manufactured pc... try that when you custom build your own...

[@rafflesnh]

@1:09 "I'll leave all these commands in the video description for you" ???

[@Britec09]

👀 they are

[@rafflesnh]

@@Britec09 Apologies. Nothing there until I reloaded the video to check again. Bizarre. 😕

[@rmorenberg]

great video. how do I get to see my key?

[@Stan-rs1ne]

I have a windows KMS server, so now i got infinite activation spots :D And because of that I always just use the enterprise version of windows 11

[@rlbijster]

Windows 11 Pro Retail key. I'm about to change my motherboard and, if I've understood everything correctly, if I have to reactivate Windows my current retail key should be fine to use after the hardware change.

[@DrRoos]

I have a Dell computer with a corrupted windows os. I would like to reinstall windows 10. It will not reset. I have windows 10 os on a flash drive I used to install on another computer. Can I use the flash to reinstall windows? Not sure what to do when it asks for product key or if it will ask. I do not know how to get product key from the Dell.

[@RobertKeenanComp-U-Right]

Thanks for the video Brian, And thanks for the belly laugh as well "Probably Told A Few Porkies"😂

[@Britec09]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@arhamahmedkhan7060]

What if I had an OEM Key of windows 11 home but I upgraded to windows 11 pro using kms key. How can I go back to my windows 11 home?

[@johngoard8272]

Good video Brian very clear and like you say so simple to get a valid key it makes getting it free rather stupid eh?? One thing is when I run that first command it doesn't give me a key as in your blotted out screen - why is that? The last command gives me a partial key but it looks to me to be the end of the generic 10 key?? When I run Showkey it tells me that the key is a default one and needs a Digital Licence for activation so what do I do about that??

[@OMARMARTINEZ-oi8gp]

Hi, question if I have OEM key but I want to do a clean install of Windows with the same hardware will it still activate? Thanks in advance

[@anikks2645]

what's the app on right top corner? I used xmeters on windows 10. but can't find a similar system monitoring software in the taskbar in windows 11.

[@Britec09]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/onKzk3WahdF-hck

[@V530-15ICR]

I activate windows for free on my VMs using kms keys without needing to disable antivirus or download anything, just changing some regedit settings and using the slmgr command

[@Ballacka69]

Same

[@Britec09]

That is piracy

[@sameerhussain2579]

@@Britec09 but it shouldn't matter as long as its a VM, right

[@greenonline5469]

I've cracked Windows on all on my Windows XP, Vista and 7 VMs (not bothered on 8 and newer since they don't require activation). I've done it so well that even Microsoft's Genuine Advantage thingy that Windows Update downloads even passes my VMs off as genuine. Gotta know how to do it~

[@V530-15ICR]

@@Britec09 it works good and idc if it's piracy

[@SHAdow98V]

Not a bad video,but i have a question,how do i find out my activation key,i installed Windows 10 about 2 years ago and i think it was when windows 10 was made fully free or something? idk but when i installed it it activated itself so it is an activated licensed instalation and it shows as a retail one not the suspicious volume one or OEM. So i assume it should be the reuseable kind but i didn't introduce any key back then it just activated itself but i want to know if i can find out the activation key in case i have to reinstall windows since lately there have been some drive errors and such,hopefully i fix them and there is no need to fully reinstall the OS but if worse comes to worse i wish i could find out the activation key i have in order to try and reuse it. EDIT: Nevermind i found it using the registry editor since it keeps a backup of it,to those who wonder how to find it just open Registry Editor and navigate to "Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform" in there you will find "BackupProductKeyDefault",there's your activation key.

[@CageyLeigh]

I have 4 purchased versions of Windows 7 (in the box with the DVD) that I used on previous pcs that I have owned. Can I re-use one of these for a new Windows 11 build?

[@Zakir_CivilEng]

Sir how I can show desk details in my desktop as like yours please?

[@Britec09]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/onKzk3WahdF-hck

[@jiggybucksington]

I activated two copies of windows 7 12 years ago with DazLoader. One pro one normal. I’ve gotten free upgrades to 10 and 11 on my newest machine and I’ve reused the same two keys on my Microsoft account at least 7 different computers and never had an issue. And I never called anyone about an activation there’s an option when the keys are in your Microsoft account that asks if you’ve changed hardware recently. I’ve only had one instance where it didn’t activate the computer I was on. But I’m about to run these commands tho to see what kind of activation I have.

[@tcntad87]

Its not DazLoader, its Windows Loader, its developed by Daz on MDL Forums (And probably others) It uses SLIC method (usually deployed buy OEM manufactures) which runs before you login/windows boot.

[@jiggybucksington]

@@tcntad87 it was definitely Daz loader and 12 years later my windows 11 pro pc is genuine because of the windows 7 I installed with that loader in 2010

[@tcntad87]

@@jiggybucksington its Windows Loader. Yea i know, beacuse w10 was free if you upgraded and had genuine license., Thats what the loader does, it runs before Windows fully started and telling windows is activated.

[@problemchild959]

you couldn't be farther from the truth sorry. I've had a pc deactivate over a hard drive change or motherboard change. there is a reason they put the key on a sticker on the side. its not tied to the hardware its tied to the installation id which is generated based on the hardware at the time of activation. it was a system designed so that if you attempted to clone a drive (extremely easy) and put it in a second machine, it would deactivate to prevent you using it for free. every single time I called the phone activation and said yep I had to replace some hardware and verify this was the only computer with that key installed, they gave me my code and windows was reactivated.

[@DAZnBLAST]

OEM comes with a manufactured machine, e.g. Dell, HP etc and is fixed to that machine running that exact hardware. Replace the hardware e.g. faster CPU etc and Microsoft will say, that Windows key is not for that machine running that new CPU etc. Buy another key. A retail key would work in the above scenario.

[@notajp]

I have an old Compaq desktop that was running Vista. I upgraded to 10 using the online media creation tool. Didn’t have to buy a product key, it automatically activated. I swapped out the processor to a faster one and had no issues at all. Other than Windows running a bit faster, it was like nothing had changed…

[@DAZnBLAST]

@@notajp Upgrade to Windows 11, change hardware and watch what happens!

[@baldy95307]

@@DAZnBLAST Many OEM supplied systems have the product key embedded in the UEFI BIOS so changing out CPU, SSDs, or other attached hardware will not affect the activated product key. The same generally holds true for DIYers who have their home built computers activated with a purchased OEM key. Once activated, that product key is supposedly forever tied to that motherboard. Once again the user can change CPUs, SSDs, and other hardware without affecting the activation status. This rule applies to Win10 and Win11. Sometimes a user may change out a motherboard, re-install Windows using the previous OEM key, and somehow Microsoft may allow the re-activation. Microsoft has been very lax in enforcing the rule about OEM product keys. Some are lucky while some aren't. But for those that don't get re-activation, what's another $15 for a new OEM key? Nobody has yet been able to determine exactly why it works for some but not for others and Microsoft ain't talking.

[@n.l3880]

I have been able to re-use OEM keys many times from old trashed computers and just activate them on my system without any issues

[@colt5189]

Though Microsoft closed that where you can't use say a Windows 7 key to activate Windows 10/11.

[@63Arnast]

What place do you recommend getting a windows key from (every place i looked was (60 - 70aud)?. My key windows 10 that was originally windows 7 is an digital OEM key permanent. I've changed my motherboard and i think all i had to do was give them a number and the gave me another type of code to continue..

[@63Arnast]

@@My_Old_YT_Account Thanks... any place you would recommend getting the script from and was wondering what Britec uses as i know he use to have a link up with a code you could use to get a discount on the keys.

[@vinnie69ish]

ive got a oem key for windows 11 ! i followed one of your videos where you shown how to update to windows 11 without reinstalling and i bought the key from the site you specified and this is a oem key not retail which you would of expected. then again cheap website bent keys

[@greenonline5469]

Can someone PLEASE tell me why you even bother with OEM keys? (if you're legitimately activated) Retail keys in the long run are cheaper, why keep paying for a key over and over again when you build a new PC?

[@TwoThousandStu]

Here here! If you're not an OEM, don't use OEM keys. Simples

[@greenonline5469]

@@TwoThousandStu true true, ofc if you buy from an OEM then you deal with OEM keys, but when you have the option to go Retail, spend a little more and never need to spend again, why not

[@problemchild959]

because what he said about OEM keys is absolute BS. they are NOT tied to hardware. so why pay 200 bucks for a key from Microsoft when you can get one that will work perfectly for 12 ?

[@greenonline5469]

hey, it's not bs that OEM keys are tied to hardware, since OEM keys are meant to only activate on one set of hardware for life, as opposed to Retail keys that only activate on one set of hardware at a time, just sometimes after a while the OEM keys often do allow you to activate on newer hardware if dormant for a long period. Also in regards to paying $12 for a key, the reason you can get them that cheap is because they're grey market keys, whereas the $200 OEM keys are genuine from Microsoft, but it does seem like the keys Brian advertises seem to work since I've heard no reports of CDKeySales keys going bad after a while.

[@problemchild959]

@@greenonline5469 that's funny, last I remember from working at HP we didn't go oh this has this board and this blah blah so we need this set of keys. its not tied to the hardware and you can indeed use an OEM key from the sticker on a HP on a Dell or any other company. it will activate and work perfectly so yes it is BS. OEM is simply a key bought in bulk at a lower cost for companies to ship the pcs with a copy of windows. Its nothing more than for Microcrap to push their windows to users instead of Linux or whatever else.

[@maimeredith9519]

To get windows: Open you internet browser and type bestkey355 Hi there. Very helpful video! However, I have a question. When I boot up my laptop, my laptop isn't able to read my brand new SSD. I already tried different solutions like downloading the F6 drivers into USB drive, initialize the brand new SSD on different computer. However, none of them work. What can I do please?

[@livegna]

So does that mean I can use my original Windows product key to any upgraded version of widows?

[@mac1326]

what is MAK license key?

[@bigboigaming8158]

So when you say one pc at a time, will it deactivate the other one?

[@AndiPicker]

Good grief, that was useful. I just had to buy a new Win 11 Pro retail key (from a 3rd party supplier) , it activated ok (I had to use the automated 'phone activation) but my key doesn't seem to be linked to my MS account - I believe there is a way to do this but most sites just go as far as "sign-in with a MS account", which I do anyway. Is there a manual way to do this for convenience in the future? Cheers, A

[@ronaldw2453]

You can get that info thru the run command instead of command prompt.

[@chrisgeorgiou8680]

Where are OEM licenses being sold for $12? And are they really sold to individual consumers or professionals? Can't find them anywhere... Instead I can easily find DSP licenses for ca €130 for Home and €160 for Professional editions. DSP is like OEM tied to the motherboard (so "For use on a new Computer only" as well), and the most likely to get for a new custom PC build. It is said that those "OEM" cheap licenses ($10-$30) are actually volume licenses purchased in bulk and sold individually to customers - it would be legal for a company to buy volume licenses and use them all inhouse, not resell them. If so, this is illegal, and professionals should never purchase them, they could be fined heavily if caught. They won't even get a certificate of purchase, receipt, invoice or something to prove that it was legally purchased.

[@My_Old_YT_Account]

You won't get fined in the EU due to Usedsoft v Oracle

[@MrRadsVarietyChannel]

Can I upgrade to Windows 11 and have it still activated with my Windows 10 activation?

[@tomdickie735]

I got a computer from my work which was getting scrapped, I used the hard drive with windows 10 pro OS from it to build a gaming pc with a new motherboard, windows boots up perfectly, my question is, if I reset it to register it to my own Microsoft account will It still work?? My first gaming PC build for my son so was trying to do it on the cheap 😜

[@Playingwith3D]

I have the same key since windows 7 pro through win 11 over 5 installs on different machines. I was sure they would make me buy a new key by now. But so far I've been lucky.

[@Submody2023]

Can I use this to find out what my key code is?

[@johnsenchak1428]

It can also be a digital entitlement key from a Windows 7/8 upgrade to Windows 10 and then to 11, ......

[@Britec09]

Yes, digital entitlement registers your hardware the same as OEM

[@koosschutter1675]

How do I transfer a retail key from one pc to another? I had to reinstall windows 7 once and the key worked again but I'm hoping it would work on another, hopefully at the same time.

[@Britec09]

Made a video I think. Check out my play list, if you can't find it, I will make another one.

[@koosschutter1675]

@@Britec09 I found it thank you very much. Is there a server that remembered my pc, because I had to reinstall my entire dual boot system after I couldn't boot?

[@kingklump]

Interesting... I transferred a hard drive with a full Windows 10 install with an OEM key from an HP to a custom built system, and windows is still fully activated. I take it that's not normal?

[@yankees2000]

I've just got new Motherboard and Cpu (12th Gen from 8th gen) and new 3080 graphice card and put a ssd in with my saved back up OS and then I logged in with my Microsoft account and Activation showing "digital licence linked to your Microsoft account " - I did not try and activate it - it just activated the new system. - just noted that I'm still using the old computer (8th gen ) as a 2nd computer and that computer showing "digital licence linked to your Microsoft account " and this computer (12th gen) has cloned OS from that (8th gen) computer.

[@STONE69_]

You cloned your OS over to the new computer, that is the right way to keep using your key. awesome.

[@sdsuraj2189]

Hey plz reply i bought a new laptop 6 months back and i want to reset it for erasing unnecessary files which consume storage as i have limited storage tell me can i reactive windows 11 after reset plz reply

[@ruthron623]

Where can i buy a genuine retail key for windows 11 pro?

[@KaptainSpaulding]

So I bought the Ryzen 9 mini by Beelink. I just checked my WIN11 PRO license that it came with and it says it is a volume key. Any ideas?

[@tridens6708]

Retail keys or Oem cod stiker

[@herrogamer]

I have a volume key, and i think its pirated, i get an option to update windows, if i update windows, i think it will overwrite the crack and will ask me to enter a new key , so shall i update or just go through the hassle of reinstalling windows from scratch, i just bought a retail key.

[@dogcowrph]

There is no key on MacOS. You can always dual boot, triple boot or boot from any OS you wish on an Apple product. I never use Windows at home unless there’s some bit of software that I can’t get on my Mac or if I want to take work home with me (which is almost never). I’ve been doing this since the nineties (although this was VERY slow back them. Thanks for the video.

[@eddyvideostar]

At 4:00 minutes, Suddenly even good-faith eBay computers are becoming scary. What is the proper way of purchasing a key, and activating it the proper way?

[@triprasa7]

4:23 OEM keys

[@Thrakus]

You can use a key as much as you like however Microsoft does like to lock your key after 5 times, bUT They let you keep using it if you contact them. Why do people repay for windows as we all have like 5 keys for win 7 10 we can use are an upgrade?

[@lurkerrekrul]

I bought a refurbished HP, XP Pro system and according to every product key viewer, the product key didn't match the sticker on the case, although it was an OEM key. I assume that the refurbisher changed the product key, When the motherboard died, I bought an identical replacement off eBay, installed it and Windows booted up like nothing had happened. Tying a Windows OEM key to a particular motherboard, not just a specific model of motherboard and then telling people that they need to buy a new key if they replace it, is pure bullshit. Then again, so is the spyware and forced updates in Win10/11 and people seem content to let them get away with that...

[@WhattEvery]

I've used my windows 7 Pro key up to now, on my windows 11 Pro PC.

[@sumuduranathunga]

My laptop came with Windows 10 home OEM upgraded to w11 home. Also I got Windows 10 pro key for my desktop it's 2.5USD by online store. I checked it's RETAIL key. Idk how they sell those key cheap. Btw I linked it to my Microsoft account too..

[@thisoldminer]

OEM if I clone to another HDD will I be able to use the same key? ? ? ................

[@Britec09]

You can upgrade hard drive and key will be fine.

[@thisoldminer]

@@Britec09 Thx

[@ceejay2k2]

I had 2 keys from old HP laptops with Win7, used both to upgrade to Win10 on completely different machines. One key was HOME OEM the other was Pro Retail. Not had any problem with the OEM key here. And I've changed motherboard no problem, just had to reactivate with the key since windows were throwing a fit since it was a new mobo altho it was exact same one due to a warranty return. So not sure the info in this video is correct?

[@Angellus502]

OEM keys will normaly activate on new hardware. They are supposed to be used on only the original hardware, but will activate 95% of the time if they havent been activated in the past 6 moths or year. 7 and 8 keys work with 10. OEM key priceing is supposed to be around $100US!!! not sure how they are $20 online.

[@muppetarms8406]

Hi when I try this I get a popup with Windows Script Host is disabled on this machine. Contact your Administrator, but you gest it I am the Administrator and have full access. How do I fix this?

[@GummyBearA25]

Hey Guys... Running my 3 PC's ( Ryzen 5 , I3 7100 and 10th Gen 10700 ) on OEM Keys that came off HP Elite , 2nd and 3hd Gen desk tops. So OEM keys might be different ?

[@Seafarer1947]

Thanks for this mate 👍 I found it very useful for checking the my pc validity, type of license and expiry date (if any) 10/10 😁

[@Britec09]

Glad it helped

[@abcdefg8999]

no if you tried to switch from other os and switch back to win. 10 it doesnt work