Here Is Everything You Need to Know About Windows Product Keys
Reading Time: 4 minutesGetting a product key for your copy of Windows is a great idea, but what are they, and what do they do?
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.
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.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-product-keys-guide/
Ref: makeuseof
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