Oem vs retail key

[GloriousGamer321]

what is the difference between oem windows key and retail key?

[RONOTHAN##]

Retail keys are designed for consumers, OEM keys are not. You can use a retail key on different computers (not at the same time, but carry through to another system), OEM keys can only be activated once on that specific machine.

 

If by OEM key you mean the ~$10 keys on eBay and other key resellers, they're usually acquired through unsavory means and break Microsoft's terms of service. Most people don't care though since MS makes their money through selling your data, not really through the license purchase. If they did, they would it a lot harder to use those fake keys or run it without a key.

[Kilrah]

Besides being single machine OEM keys don't give you access to contacting MS for support since it's the OEM providing that service themselves. Doesn't really matter these days, but still...

[Eigenvektor]

1 hour ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Most people don't care though since MS makes their money through selling your data, not really through the license purchase.

You may be thinking of Google. Microsoft makes money primarily by selling licenses and services to companies, not private individuals. In fact, having private individuals familiar with the OS, thus forcing companies to use it, is how they became big.

[GloriousGamer321]

11 hours ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Retail keys are designed for consumers, OEM keys are not. You can use a retail key on different computers (not at the same time, but carry through to another system), OEM keys can only be activated once on that specific machine.

 

If by OEM key you mean the ~$10 keys on eBay and other key resellers, they're usually acquired through unsavory means and break Microsoft's terms of service. Most people don't care though since MS makes their money through selling your data, not really through the license purchase. If they did, they would it a lot harder to use those fake keys or run it without a key.

so these 2 https://www.vip-scdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-home-oem-key.html

                 https://www.vip-scdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-home-retail-key.html

are breaking microsofts terms of use?

[RONOTHAN##]

2 minutes ago, GloriousGamer321 said:

so these 2 https://www.vip-scdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-home-oem-key.html

                 https://www.vip-scdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-home-retail-key.html

are breaking microsofts terms of use?

Technically yes. For reference:

 

[GloriousGamer321]

3 hours ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Technically yes. For reference:

 

can you give me a link to one that doesn't break the terms of use

[Kilrah]

Any major computer retailer. 

[NumLock21]

OEM is tied to a single computer, the computer the OS was originally installed on. Changing hardware and so will let you reactivate but after it pass it's limit, the reactivating can be a hassle.
Retail is tied to the user, your windows key can be transfer an many new computer as you wish, but it can only be activated only on 1 PC at a time.

[GloriousGamer321]

6 hours ago, Kilrah said:

Any major computer retailer. 

can you give me a specific link?

[Kilrah]

I don't know what country you're in or what the common retailers are there.