Best Way to Purchase Windows 11 Pro?

[Misanthropic_Turtle]

Okay, please help this newbie builder fool out lol. What is the best way to purchase a Windows 11 Pro key/ license? Should I just fork out the $200 to Microsoft to get a proper retail key? Is that the right way to do it? I tried purchasing an OEM key from Kinguin (the seller was nextkeys.io) with my bank card but my bank declined the transaction. What do you think? Are any of these cheap third-party resellers legit or worth it? I went with Kinguin as a Tom's Hardware article actually recommended using them, but gave up and came to ask this question after my payment wouldn't work. I'm definitely having second thoughts about buying a key this way, as it all looks really shady. That Kinguin site seems so off I didn't even feel comfortable signing up for for an account with them. What do you think about options like these generally? Specifically who would you recommend, or should I avoid keys like this altogether and just buy Windows 11 Pro from Microsoft? 

[FireLegend]

7 minutes ago, Misanthropic_Turtle said:

Okay, please help this newbie builder fool out lol. What is the best way to purchase a Windows 11 Pro key/ license? Should I just fork out the $200 to Microsoft to get a proper retail key? Is that the right way to do it? I tried purchasing an OEM key from Kinguin (the seller was nextkeys.io) with my bank card but my bank declined the transaction. What do you think? Are any of these cheap third-party resellers legit or worth it? I went with Kinguin as a Tom's Hardware article actually recommended using them, but gave up and came to ask this question after my payment wouldn't work. I'm definitely having second thoughts about buying a key this way, as it all looks really shady. That Kinguin site seems so off I didn't even feel comfortable signing up for for an account with them. What do you think about options like these generally? Specifically who would you recommend, or should I avoid keys like this altogether and just buy Windows 11 Pro from Microsoft? 

Oh my gosh thank god I can help someone too! Honestly one of the safest one (I used) is safe but if you have PayPal mby still buy with that though. Its called vip-scdkey.com and use the code 'SKGS' for a little bit of a discount too

[Radium_Angel]

Kinguin is a good option.

 

Or save the money (because the OS isn't worth a dime) and don't pay for it

[manikyath]

the best way is to buy an official key from microsoft or trough a retailer. that way you are sure your key really is yours and wont magically go away.

 

keys on those reseller websites come from a variety of sources, ranging in different tiers of shady.

- buying/selling an older windows key as a win10/11 license is a thing that happens a lot, and is actually rather effective, assuming you buy an actual boxed license that's guaranteed to only be sold to you.

- some (poor) regions get cheaper deals on keys, and keys bought in that region find their way onto reseller sites for a quick buck.

- some corporations (or people within said corporations..) have leftover GVLK keys.. and flip them for a quick buck.

- some sellers will sell a single key multiple times, because it takes a few activations before activation servers go doot on you.

- then there's stuff like dreamspark keys, keys fished off E-wasted computers, etc...

- then there's the fact that software keys are a not uncommon way to launder stolen money.

 

at the end of it.. it comes down to if you care about it at all, or if you just want a key.

[Misanthropic_Turtle]

1 minute ago, Radium_Angel said:

Kinguin is a good option.

 

Or save the money (because the OS isn't worth a dime) and don't pay for it

Save the money, meaning merely use an inactivated copy? Don't even worry about activating it? 

[Misanthropic_Turtle]

4 minutes ago, manikyath said:

at the end of it.. it comes down to if you care about it at all, or if you just want a key.

"If I just want a key" I assume you mean it's just fine to use an inactivated copy of Windows?

[Radium_Angel]

3 minutes ago, Misanthropic_Turtle said:

Save the money, meaning merely use an inactivated copy? Don't even worry about activating it? 

Exactly

[Misanthropic_Turtle]

8 minutes ago, manikyath said:

keys on those reseller websites come from a variety of sources, ranging in different tiers of shady.

- buying/selling an older windows key as a win10/11 license is a thing that happens a lot, and is actually rather effective, assuming you buy an actual boxed license that's guaranteed to only be sold to you.

- some (poor) regions get cheaper deals on keys, and keys bought in that region find their way onto reseller sites for a quick buck.

- some corporations (or people within said corporations..) have leftover GVLK keys.. and flip them for a quick buck.

- some sellers will sell a single key multiple times, because it takes a few activations before activation servers go doot on you.

- then there's stuff like dreamspark keys, keys fished off E-wasted computers, etc...

- then there's the fact that software keys are a not uncommon way to launder stolen money.

 

...yeah, none of that seems good!

[BondiBlue]

If you have an old PC somewhere with a Windows 7 Pro key on it that'll work on Windows 11. I've got so many old Windows 7 Pro keys that I've never had to purchase a new key from Microsoft for Windows 10 or 11. 

[yNotCreative]

So, is Kinguin/NextKeys.io legit? I only need a license for testing as a VM, but only need it a few times a year. From what I understand, I need to have the Pro version to fulfill the whole VM license, but have heard lots of conflicting reports on that. Seems crazy to spend $200 for an OEM license for just a few times.

[dight]

don't, lol. just use MAS.

https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts