How do I know where a windows key comes from?

[Jason6676]

Recently I've been looking into getting a windows key to get rid of the watermark, and have more customization and so on. Grey market keys mightn't be reliable, but some websites have good reviews and others don't, I'll choose carefully if I do that. Also, I know ebay do keys for very little money.

 

I'm aware some of these keys are bought in different ways, though a few are illegal, or go against Microsoft's policy, the only way that I personally deem immoral is if I'm supporting someone who got the key using a stolen credit card. How do I know if a windows key from one of these websites has been acquired without using a stolen credit card? Also, are there any reliable websites you'd reccomend?

[Levent]

4 minutes ago, Jason6676 said:

How do I know if a windows key from one of these websites has been acquired without using a stolen credit card?

You cant.

4 minutes ago, Jason6676 said:

there any reliable websites you'd recommend?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/windows?activetab=tab%3ashopwindows10

[FRD]

Actually a site in my country did a test on Windows 10 keys acquired from different sources of the grey market and legit white market. There is a difference between retail and OEM keys. Many people don't know this, but all cheap Windows 10 keys are actually originally sourced keys (reused) keys from Windows 7 SP1 Professional or Ultimate. These people upgraded their Windows 7 machines to Windows 10 and sold the old keys again, usually throwing out the old computers. We can't validate where or who bought the keys originally.

 

The best ways to find a legit Windows is as following. Directly from Microsoft is of course the best way. Check if you can find Microsoft vendors, they might or might not be on their site. Usually you are best off looking for the OEM version. One way to make sure it's legit is not to buy digitally, but buy the physical DVD disc version instead. The box and disc are easy to spot if counterfeit. A official USB stick version also exists, but harder to find.
Of course there is also price. The real Windows 10 will run you at least $90 depending on the shop. Average is around $130 from top of my head.

As for the shops, buy from trustable computer shops in your country. This does NOT mean Amazon as it's easy for any seller to sell their cheap keys there.

[manikyath]

if you want any guarantees about your key, buy it from MS, or buy a retail box.

if you want to cheap out, there's downsides to cheap out.

 

the most 'guaranteed' way to cheap out on a key to activate windows 10, is to buy a retail box of windows 7, windows 8, a boxed upgrade key to windows 7, or a boxed upgrade key to windows 8.

[LogicalDrm]

The price is only way to tell whether key comes directly from Microsoft, in ways its intended to be. Otherwise, you don't know before you get the key and can see more about what kind of metadata its connected to.

 

Retail price for Home is $120-170, for Pro $200+. OEMs are some $50 cheaper.