i have my windows digitally activated through my Microsoft account cause of my old pc, but the pc i have now also has an OEM windows7 key so how do i know which key I'm using?
Great information! I was recently given an HP PC with a quad core processor which previously ran Windows 7, but the previous owner removed and destroyed the hard drive for security reasons. So I bought a new hard drive online and installed Windows 10 Professional. I bought a cheap key online because that's all I can afford, and I was curious how genuine it is. I paid $15 for the product key, and surprisingly it came up as "Retail" and "Permanent Activation" using the commands shown in this video. So I got lucky with my purchase! Prior to watching this video, I had no idea how to check these things, or that they could even be checked. This new pc with an AMD Athlon 630 quad core is definitely an upgrade from my old Dell Optiplex with a Core Duo CPU. Good to know I have a good stable activation that won't check out on me. Thanks much for sharing this very useful information.
the thing about OEM keys is that if you completely wipe your drive and reinstall windows it will be automatically be activated because your computer has a digital licence and is recognised by microsoft activation servers, the joys of buying a new windows pc. also, if needs be that licence is also linked to your microsoft account so even if you did make a hardware change you could sign into that account, not that you have a choice in windows 11 anyway as you can not skip internet connection unless you force quit network connection flow
Slight correction I can't say this for every case and key, but in my experience, 1 key can activate multiple copies of windows on entirely separate systems and all of which will remain active. As for if an older key (say a windows 7 key) were used to activate windows 10, it's supposed to update that key to windows 10 only and that it would be tied to that system. I cannot confirm nor deny that this is true and I'm not willing to risk burning a key I could potentially need in the future. Maybe I won't ever need it, but that's that.
I have had many RETAIL keys fail after replacing parts or upgrading a system for a customer. I have never had a problem with an OEM key. Even if the old machine is dead. The OEM key works fine on a new build that replaces the old dead machine. It has been this way for me over many decades and 100s of computers.
If you had windows 7 or 8.1 and upgraded to windows 10 Microsoft gave you a permanent digital key at that time. I just download the OS from Microsoft though.
tbh WIndows is technically free anyways and their is no real time frame to activate it as their was before the only litations you have is the Activate Windows watermark and customizations, and maybe to occational nagging reminder of Navi going "Hey Listen! Activate WIndwos!"
Basically all our Win10 keys and Win11 keys originate from previous systems like Win7 when people bought a new pc and with the pc the OS. Thus they all must be genuine and able to migrate to new hardware components?
When I wanted to transfer Windows 10 Pro to another machine, I didn't deactivate the licence. I just transferred the hard drive over to the new machine. After a period of cogitating to update the drivers for the new hardware, It said it was activated on the new machine. I then did a fresh install on an NVME drive. It's been happy that it is activated ever since, despite several reinstalls. Of course it might not have been able to get the old install working, so I had imaged the drive first. If you have a digital licence, how do you transfer it to another machine when you don't have an old style key? I have an old 32bit Windows 10 Pro upgrade for Windows 7 retail for an old laptop that I don't use. Could this be transferred to another 64 bit machine and activated using a 64 bit version of Windows?
As per my experience, even if it is a genuine retail key, once you activate with that key, it can not be removed from that particular machine, the activation server convert it to a digital key, and it shows windows is still activated, the procedure slmgr in the cmd cannot remove the key from the server, Any explanation for that? Information meant for Windows 10 Pro 64 bit. Thanks anyway.
That's not true iv moved keys around so many times on my own pcs that I'm actually not sure which key is on which machine I took a key from Intel lga 775 motherboard and moved it to a and am5 motherboard type in key ur good to go no problem with updates or anything
I activated through the IP program and it comes up retail, however I believe Microsoft disabled those Window 10 keys for further activation so I don't think I can transfer it to another machine. My machine is activated for both W10 and W11 through a digital license connected to my Microsoft account. (I have it set as multi-boot so I can switch back and forth.) I think there use to be a trick where you could use the IP program to get a key by first installing an unregistered version then signing up the computer for the IP program and switching to a Preview release. I'm not sure if anyone has tried to see what happens when you run the trial version of Windows 11 past the expiry date.
Only if the license is valid and activated on that PC prior to upgrade or if you have your digital license linked to your Microsoft account and you do a clean install on the PC login to your Microsoft account to link the key to the clean install.
Sir pls help me to sort this. I have an AMD machine ( latest drivers) I have seen that most of my software looks blurry and that can be temporarily fixed by going to that software properties
I used to have a Windows 10 licence key tied my Microsoft account after I used the free upgrade from Windows 7, but linking my Microsoft account to my new Windows 10 installation after I changed most of my PC's components didn't restore the licence... is there any way I can get it back?
That's weird because I never had this issue and I done this many times. Did you try going your Microsoft account? I'm assuming you tried through activation on windows update page on windows 10.
@P L Hobbs all my keys are linked to my Microsoft account so I can transfer with no problems. I just transfer my key from hp desktop to Dell desktop when I upgraded to windows 11. The hp desktop is not linked to any key once I moved to the Dell PC.
@P L Hobbs I guess that explains it... I saw a page on Microsoft's support website saying that if you had a specific kind of digital licence linked to your Microsoft account, you would be able to transfer it with the Activation troubleshooter, but I guess my licence behaved like an OEM one Thanks for the answer!
contact microsoft either through chat or phone. They are really helpful with this in my experience. Also no my MB wasnt the exact same brand as i had to replace the dead one with a newer one.
I deactivated windows key on a spare PC I have. I re-installed the PC but as soon as I connect to the internet it's activated again, is there anyway of stopping it activating again?
My prebuilt pc has a retail channel license so can I use it on a new computer. Because ein getting new motherboard and a new ssd to install it on. Help
Sir My laptop has windows 7 key from Manufacturer Bit I have upgrade to w 10 So I purchased windows 10 key. So my windows 7 key from Manufacturer is vanished or deleted. Can I have still genuine key of windows 7 If I again install windows 7 . Can get automacally windows 7 key activated.
you say it is not good if you are a home user and have the volume key and that you really do need to upgrade your key and get a proper key BUT you do not explain WHY! can you please clarify
If I have a legit retail currently on a PC and there's no way of manually uninstalling the key (like the motherboard/ssd) are no longer operational, is there a way to uninstall the key for usage on next PC? Asking for future reference.
no. oem key is stored with your mobo id meanwhile a retail key is bounded to your microsoft account. just log in to another pc and your key will be there
I think if you have a MS account and a bunch of MS products. then there's no key needed. MS will just give u any windows u desire. ☻ sometimes, treating two different desktops as one with its OneDrive, an issue I'm facing these days. 😢
Can anyone let me know if there is a way to activate windows on a new hard disk when the old one with windows installed breaks on you? also if you don't have the activation CD is there a way to recover the key?
Arrgh...following you along the video, I did have a proper retail key and then mistakenly ran slmgr.vbs /upk! Now it says activated via digital license which is linked to my M$ account but slmgr /dli says Error: product key not found?
I bought a brand new laptop I logged in but it said Windows is activated with a digital license on my account but I didnt buy Windows? I've only ever used isos from ms direct
Once you link your Microsoft account when you did setup it will automatically link to the account. This is a good thing because you can transfer the key between different machines. I'm assuming that you setup Microsoft account on your PC if not weird that it happened
Retail keys are more expensive, true; but it really depends on when you buy them from. There are complete legit retail keys available for less than 8€ online.
If it's an OEM or has been activated before Microsoft basicically cheks its database to see if your hardware has been activated already or not if it has then it should activate during setup as long as it's connected to the interwebs!
Thank you. I was surprised to find out my cheap ebay key was retail. windows 10 prof for 6 dollars how was that guy making a profit. Its over 2 years old now and still getting updates must be legit right.
"pretty much genuine keys" no such thing. Because a key will activate does NOT make it a genuine key under the terms of use, nor does such an activation grant the user a license to legally use the software.
@@superninja2022 They are NOT. Did you not read anything I wrote? The only legal license to run Windows comes directly from Microsoft or an official partner through an authentic channel. These dodgy key sellers ARE NOT official partners and they don't even begin to approach legal licensing as per MS terms. Period.
Can't understand why anyone would by another key if for some reason one neads to change the motherboard ou change the possessor.. Completely rediculess.. No wonder Microsoft is getting rit her by the day.. Best think is to forget window and use Linus..
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i have my windows digitally activated through my Microsoft account cause of my old pc, but the pc i have now also has an OEM windows7 key so how do i know which key I'm using?
Right from Microsoft "if your copy Windows is activated by the key, the key is legitimate".
Great information! I was recently given an HP PC with a quad core processor which previously ran Windows 7, but the previous owner removed and destroyed the hard drive for security reasons. So I bought a new hard drive online and installed Windows 10 Professional. I bought a cheap key online because that's all I can afford, and I was curious how genuine it is. I paid $15 for the product key, and surprisingly it came up as "Retail" and "Permanent Activation" using the commands shown in this video. So I got lucky with my purchase! Prior to watching this video, I had no idea how to check these things, or that they could even be checked. This new pc with an AMD Athlon 630 quad core is definitely an upgrade from my old Dell Optiplex with a Core Duo CPU. Good to know I have a good stable activation that won't check out on me. Thanks much for sharing this very useful information.
Very handy steps for key checks. Thank you Brian.
You're welcome!
the thing about OEM keys is that if you completely wipe your drive and reinstall windows it will be automatically be activated because your computer has a digital licence and is recognised by microsoft activation servers, the joys of buying a new windows pc. also, if needs be that licence is also linked to your microsoft account so even if you did make a hardware change you could sign into that account, not that you have a choice in windows 11 anyway as you can not skip internet connection unless you force quit network connection flow
Thanks again Britec and have a nice safe day!!
Thanks!
Thanks for the donation
Slight correction
I can't say this for every case and key, but in my experience, 1 key can activate multiple copies of windows on entirely separate systems and all of which will remain active.
As for if an older key (say a windows 7 key) were used to activate windows 10, it's supposed to update that key to windows 10 only and that it would be tied to that system.
I cannot confirm nor deny that this is true and I'm not willing to risk burning a key I could potentially need in the future. Maybe I won't ever need it, but that's that.
Awesome! Thank you!
This is video that I looking for. thanks
Informative.. Thnx
Thanks Brian, as usual a most informative and useful video
Very welcome
thank you for this! i always buy my keys from a really good website that i trust and yup, it says my copy of windows is 100% legitimate. thanks!
You're welcome!!
I have had many RETAIL keys fail after replacing parts or upgrading a system for a customer. I have never had a problem with an OEM key. Even if the old machine is dead. The OEM key works fine on a new build that replaces the old dead machine. It has been this way for me over many decades and 100s of computers.
You need to unistall key from old laptop hard drive ,only then it can be used for another laptop or device.....
Retail Key user, just changed my mobo from x470 to x570 used the same key to activate a fresh install of windows and it works.
You say you should remove any pirated keys if you have any but why should you? Is there any negatives or is it just because "piracy bad lol"?
If you had windows 7 or 8.1 and upgraded to windows 10 Microsoft gave you a permanent digital key at that time. I just download the OS from Microsoft though.
tbh WIndows is technically free anyways and their is no real time frame to activate it as their was before the only litations you have is the Activate Windows watermark and customizations, and maybe to occational nagging reminder of Navi going "Hey Listen! Activate WIndwos!"
What is the most recommended place to buy keys?
Mike's unboxing, reviews and how to promoted premiumcdkeys Carey Holzman promoted cdkdeals
The last key I will ever buy is the one that came with an official windows 7 install set.
Basically all our Win10 keys and Win11 keys originate from previous systems like Win7 when people bought a new pc and with the pc the OS. Thus they all must be genuine and able to migrate to new hardware components?
When I wanted to transfer Windows 10 Pro to another machine, I didn't deactivate the licence. I just transferred the hard drive over to the new machine. After a period of cogitating to update the drivers for the new hardware, It said it was activated on the new machine. I then did a fresh install on an NVME drive. It's been happy that it is activated ever since, despite several reinstalls. Of course it might not have been able to get the old install working, so I had imaged the drive first. If you have a digital licence, how do you transfer it to another machine when you don't have an old style key? I have an old 32bit Windows 10 Pro upgrade for Windows 7 retail for an old laptop that I don't use. Could this be transferred to another 64 bit machine and activated using a 64 bit version of Windows?
As per my experience, even if it is a genuine retail key, once you activate with that key, it can not be removed from that particular machine, the activation server convert it to a digital key, and it shows windows is still activated, the procedure slmgr in the cmd cannot remove the key from the server, Any explanation for that? Information meant for Windows 10 Pro 64 bit. Thanks anyway.
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That's not true iv moved keys around so many times on my own pcs that I'm actually not sure which key is on which machine I took a key from Intel lga 775 motherboard and moved it to a and am5 motherboard type in key ur good to go no problem with updates or anything
I activated through the IP program and it comes up retail, however I believe Microsoft disabled those Window 10 keys for further activation so I don't think I can transfer it to another machine. My machine is activated for both W10 and W11 through a digital license connected to my Microsoft account. (I have it set as multi-boot so I can switch back and forth.)
I think there use to be a trick where you could use the IP program to get a key by first installing an unregistered version then signing up the computer for the IP program and switching to a Preview release. I'm not sure if anyone has tried to see what happens when you run the trial version of Windows 11 past the expiry date.
Hi brian, whenever i install windows on any pc it automaticaly activates itself with a digital licence???
Only if the license is valid and activated on that PC prior to upgrade or if you have your digital license linked to your Microsoft account and you do a clean install on the PC login to your Microsoft account to link the key to the clean install.
@@NO-END Got ya👍
Sir pls help me to sort this.
I have an AMD machine ( latest drivers) I have seen that most of my software looks blurry and that can be temporarily fixed by going to that software properties
Thank You.
You're welcome
I used to have a Windows 10 licence key tied my Microsoft account after I used the free upgrade from Windows 7, but linking my Microsoft account to my new Windows 10 installation after I changed most of my PC's components didn't restore the licence... is there any way I can get it back?
That's weird because I never had this issue and I done this many times. Did you try going your Microsoft account? I'm assuming you tried through activation on windows update page on windows 10.
@P L Hobbs all my keys are linked to my Microsoft account so I can transfer with no problems. I just transfer my key from hp desktop to Dell desktop when I upgraded to windows 11. The hp desktop is not linked to any key once I moved to the Dell PC.
@P L Hobbs I guess that explains it... I saw a page on Microsoft's support website saying that if you had a specific kind of digital licence linked to your Microsoft account, you would be able to transfer it with the Activation troubleshooter, but I guess my licence behaved like an OEM one
Thanks for the answer!
contact microsoft either through chat or phone. They are really helpful with this in my experience. Also no my MB wasnt the exact same brand as i had to replace the dead one with a newer one.
@@captvimes I've heard that contacting them can help with this issue, but I'm not sure. I'll have to try it out
I deactivated windows key on a spare PC I have. I re-installed the PC but as soon as I connect to the internet it's activated again, is there anyway of stopping it activating again?
As usual, very informative! Thanks Brian!
😏👍 Torrentz FTW
good to go
My prebuilt pc has a retail channel license so can I use it on a new computer. Because ein getting new motherboard and a new ssd to install it on. Help
Would Windows XP message a problem with your key, and run anyways? That happened to me on a old Dell.
is it illegal if I used a product key from a laptop I owned from 2013 on my desktop?
Not if you actually bought the key if not who cares
No why I link all my PC's to Microsoft account I have like 10 keys from I converted from windows 7 to windows 10.
And one of those keys I moved to a new pc I bought to run windows 11.
Nope it's legit as long as it's a key form WIndows 7, 8, or 10
It's legit. You can use your old windows 8 or 7 product key
Is there a way I can look up my product key in case I have forgotten it?
@DJ Thanos Run this command in Windows PowerShell (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
@@markroberts7093 Did that but saw nothing.
Sir
My laptop has windows 7 key from
Manufacturer
Bit I have upgrade to w 10
So I purchased windows 10 key.
So my windows 7 key from Manufacturer is vanished or deleted.
Can I have still genuine key of windows 7
If I again install windows 7 .
Can get automacally windows 7 key activated.
Please make a tutorial video about how we can add windows 11 Enterprise edition in to iso file. Install. Wim thnx
Education is in the setup and it's basically the same thing as Enterprise.
Good video Jimbo Jones
Cheers Bob Smith
you say it is not good if you are a home user and have the volume key and that you really do need to upgrade your key and get a proper key BUT you do not explain WHY! can you please clarify
PID checker 1.49 does not work for me, using WIN 11. Displaying Invalid arguments / wrong format.
If I have a legit retail currently on a PC and there's no way of manually uninstalling the key (like the motherboard/ssd) are no longer operational, is there a way to uninstall the key for usage on next PC? Asking for future reference.
no. oem key is stored with your mobo id meanwhile a retail key is bounded to your microsoft account. just log in to another pc and your key will be there
Could you please explain how does paid zorin license work?
I think if you have a MS account and a bunch of MS products. then there's no key needed. MS will just give u any windows u desire. ☻ sometimes, treating two different desktops as one with its OneDrive, an issue I'm facing these days. 😢
arn't the keys locked to your Microsoft account now?
Can anyone let me know if there is a way to activate windows on a new hard disk when the old one with windows installed breaks on you? also if you don't have the activation CD is there a way to recover the key?
Arrgh...following you along the video, I did have a proper retail key and then mistakenly ran slmgr.vbs /upk! Now it says activated via digital license which is linked to my M$ account but slmgr /dli says Error: product key not found?
I just checked all my keys and all are retail but were not originally from windows 7 they were kms originally.
Balls to the Walls!!
ive used your keys on akk mine everthings great
Yeah, they work a treat
Mine says: Windows (R) Core Edition
Windows operating System, Retail channel, Licence activated.
I bought a brand new laptop I logged in but it said Windows is activated with a digital license on my account but I didnt buy Windows? I've only ever used isos from ms direct
Once you link your Microsoft account when you did setup it will automatically link to the account. This is a good thing because you can transfer the key between different machines. I'm assuming that you setup Microsoft account on your PC if not weird that it happened
@@NO-END this was actually my xbl account from 2012 ish
@@RealShadowfiend180x oh ok probably why that happened. Just use that account if you need to move another PC.
I bought a laptop with windows 10 installed after watching this I think its pirated. What are the risks if I continue using the pirated copy?
Not pirated if it was downloaded from Microsoft just cracked.
If you can still get updates then there's no risks. I'd actually say it's less risk not to even get updates, to be honest.
Retail keys are more expensive, true; but it really depends on when you buy them from. There are complete legit retail keys available for less than 8€ online.
Mine is VOLUME MAX or something I bought on ebay 3 years later its been fine
my key is a retail key, perfectly legit
Cool.
Brian thanks for your previous video about cdkeys site just bought office 2016 pro plus and used your Promo code 25 bucks appreciate you.
I phoned Microsoft after replacing my motherboard and I had a OEM ,they kindly allowed it
I did the same through chat support so you dont have to buy a new key.
Yeah, they will sometimes do that.
showed 5 letters and said "incomplete key"
nice
If windows activates on a fresh install is legit
If it's an OEM or has been activated before Microsoft basicically cheks its database to see if your hardware has been activated already or not if it has then it should activate during setup as long as it's connected to the interwebs!
Thank you. I was surprised to find out my cheap ebay key was retail.
windows 10 prof for 6 dollars how was that guy making a profit.
Its over 2 years old now and still getting updates must be legit right.
"pretty much genuine keys"
no such thing. Because a key will activate does NOT make it a genuine key under the terms of use, nor does such an activation grant the user a license to legally use the software.
But still they are legal key, unlike KMS keys
@@superninja2022 They are NOT. Did you not read anything I wrote? The only legal license to run Windows comes directly from Microsoft or an official partner through an authentic channel. These dodgy key sellers ARE NOT official partners and they don't even begin to approach legal licensing as per MS terms. Period.
Why i would do this. My AcTiVaTiOn KeY iS oBiOuSlY R E A L
With KMS...
Anyhow, OEM will be there forever
Yes but only in one machine
My windows 11 pro is a operating system volume _Mak channel
So you used a script then?
Can't understand why anyone would by another key if for some reason one neads to change the motherboard ou change the possessor.. Completely rediculess.. No wonder Microsoft is getting rit her by the day.. Best think is to forget window and use Linus..
👍👍
Who cares? Legit or not , there is no difference between kms activated or retail, so its better saving couple of bucks
Fass gaya... ROFL
Never touched windows since 1999. 🙃
Thanks!