What You Need To Know About Your Windows Product Key

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 17 июн 2022
  • What You Need To Know About Your Windows Product Key
    Today we are taking a look at whether your Windows product key reusable? Here’s how to find out whether you can transfer your windows 10 or Windows 11 product key to a new computer. We have 3 types of windows product keys, OEM, Retail, Volume.
    Open command prompt as administrator and run these commands.
    Commands:
    slmgr.vbs /dli
    slmgr /xpr
    slmgr.vbs /dlv
    Reactivating Windows after a hardware change
    support.microsoft.com/en-us/w...
    📃Watch related playlists and videos
    🖥️ / britec09
    ❤️ Join Britec RUclips Members: / @britec09
    🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more: ruclips.net/user/Britec09...
    🚩 Connect with me on social:
    ✅ Follow on Twitter - / britec09
    ✅ Follow on Facebook: / briteccomputers
    🎬 View my Website: BritecComputers.co.uk
    💻Discord Access: / discord
    🛍 Support me with your Amazon purchases:
    UK amzn.to/3diZslY
    US amzn.to/2OwZWux
    💯Merch teespring.com/en-GB/stores/br...

Комментарии • 282

  • @Britec09
    @Britec09  Год назад +28

    What type of key do you have? Drop us a LIKE 👍

    • @LimbaZero
      @LimbaZero Год назад

      I have 2 old retail keys from win7 (ultimate version) days. Running now win10 now in main computer and server. Few times had to use key from the box when activation failed. It usually just say this license is not currently in use in your account and then use it.
      Also started to prepare time after win10 by giving new life for old vista laptop by starting to test ubuntu.

    • @lonndawg7554
      @lonndawg7554 Год назад +3

      Brian, I purchased a few keys from VIP CD sales, using your offer code. I even purchased a Windows 7 Pro license key to be used on a virtual machine in VMware... I I was curious about one thing and that is if I have to destroy my virtual machine and start over if I'm hearing you correctly when I create the new machine the retail key apparently will apply to that new machine, because it's a retail key ? hopefully I understand things correctly, and creating a new virtual machine will activate using the product key as long as it's a retail version. Because it's transferable. You create virtual machines more than I do so I'm hoping you can clarify things for me... ?

    • @Rabitson
      @Rabitson Год назад

      OEM, I bought it at a discount using your code. Cheers!

    • @tonedcos
      @tonedcos Год назад

      I paid 300 euro for a retail home key for win 11, good to know i can reuse it.

    • @tonedcos
      @tonedcos Год назад +2

      I also had occasion to contact support, waste of time on the phone, i got feckless Indian women who just hung up etc, i found the best Microsoft support was on Twitter. Awesome service compared to outsourced iffy Indian sub contractors.

  • @rohit_in
    @rohit_in Год назад +1

    Thank you for explaining this... I had a lot of doubts regarding the product keys. you have captured all those questions in your video. Thanks, man.

  • @Calx9
    @Calx9 4 месяца назад +3

    Amazing video. I had to go to like 20 different sites just to learn what you taught us in 1 video. Nice dude

  • @skaterboizjoe
    @skaterboizjoe Год назад +7

    Your videos are always educational and easy to follow. The commands were easy to use and I saw what I needed. WIth my toshiba laptops the keys are permanently activated as long as I keep the motherboard

  • @brianlukas2868
    @brianlukas2868 Год назад

    very informative. Thank you

  • @avejst
    @avejst Год назад +1

    Great walkthrough
    Thanks for sharing your expirence with all of us

  • @tylerchambliss8379
    @tylerchambliss8379 Год назад +65

    I don't understand why Microsoft doesn't get with the time and make Windows free like every other OS on the market.

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +12

      It is free to upgrade if its activated.

    • @StaceyAyodele
      @StaceyAyodele Год назад +6

      AMEN. Windows should be free already

    • @writerpatrick
      @writerpatrick Год назад +7

      You can still run it, at least W10, for free without activating it, but with some limitations.
      Once you exclude Linux, there really isn't any market. Apple's OS requires you buy an Apple computer. And Linux won't run most of the software or support all the hardware that Microsoft does. While most versions of Linux are free, you wind up paying for it in other ways.

    • @waynenathanieltheanimator
      @waynenathanieltheanimator Год назад

      @@writerpatrick MacOS Don't have Activation. I consider installing mAcOs on my Windows 8.1. Though I get Windows 8.1 Activated in 2022

    • @chrisgeorgiou8680
      @chrisgeorgiou8680 Год назад

      They... somehow do!... They do not chase illegal copying much anymore, they seem to even...tolerate it a little, do not disable the obviously illegal licenses you get for $10, allow you to run Windows unactivated, offer free upgrades from much older versions, etc etc. So while they keep reminding you to buy a genuine license they aren't going to stop you if you don't!... And it makes sense too, because they estimate to make more money from the data mining they perform on your PC than the license price...

  • @TamraTanner
    @TamraTanner Год назад

    Thanks, very useful information.

  • @chrlmlln9018
    @chrlmlln9018 Год назад +1

    Dear, sir, a very big and warm THANK, to you, for your greatly helpful Y T Channel! Your knowledge is amazing and your way to explain and help us are very good! So, please, receive my appreciation and thankfulness for being a subscriber to your fine Y T Channel! Wishing you all the very best and stay richly blessed every new day! Best regards from Sweden!

  • @CoolDudeClem
    @CoolDudeClem Год назад +6

    I used a windows 7 key to activate Windows 10 one time, both being the home version it worked.

  • @sajjadkhan9710
    @sajjadkhan9710 10 месяцев назад

    Excellent 👍 info. Thanks

  • @zippytoad507
    @zippytoad507 9 месяцев назад +1

    Great video, thanks.

  • @vancecost
    @vancecost Год назад +33

    I have a Windows Pro XP that came in a sealed plastic case with the product key that AVA Direct built me in 2007. They are great computer builders. I am not being paid in anyway. But I have used this key all the way up to Windows 11 Beta Channel.

    • @Dhalin
      @Dhalin Год назад +4

      A long time ago, I bought a 3-pack of windows 7 keys (one key able to be used 3 times) for cheap on Newegg and IIRC, it was on sale. I remember reading somewhere that Microsoft forgets obsolete activation keys after X months, I've heard 6, 8 or maybe 12 months? Anyhow it seems to work because every time I've used those Windows 7 keys, they work. I haven't installed w11 yet, but every time I do a win10 install, it works fine. And the fact I have _three_ uses of that W7 key, and the fact that their activation status is forgotten after a few months, it is highly unlikely I will use all three "charges" of that key within the 6-12 month timeframe.

  • @pinchisancho9551
    @pinchisancho9551 Год назад +1

    Hi, there Brian and thank you for sharing. I found out that I have a OEM key. I came across your video by looking on how to find the Product ID for my Office, but this was fine. I reset my computer because it was running slow, so the Question for is do you have a video out or instructions on how to Find the or Retrieve the Office product ID? It seems that it only displayed only possibly the last 5 digits. Thank you and looking forward to your reply.

  • @smokinghazards123
    @smokinghazards123 Месяц назад

    Nice informative video. Thank you. Could you please mention which is the most secure key?

  • @PC4USE1
    @PC4USE1 Год назад

    I had an OEM key for an Asus 4th Gen Intel mobo. I reused the hard drive and purchased an Asus 9th Gen mobo. It upgraded to Win 10 with no problems. It was a shot in the dark for me but worked.

  • @wayneosman8971
    @wayneosman8971 Год назад +1

    Britec, I was hoping you touched on this subject. I never noticed or rather saw a product key repeat, and I use new Keys for each Windows machine. I decided to use "regedit" and found the product key on two machines, both had the same key, I installed Windows 10 on them with different Keys One OEM and one Retail key and on a piece of tape I write the "Product Key" somewhere on the computer. Now I need to install Windows on another computer. I used the same Information for over 10 yrs. (these computers never leave the house and are secure via. VPN. I suspect Microsoft is using the same retail key on both computers. My options are call Microsoft or forget about it. I have 6 sets of Win 10 pro Keys and one Win 11. Now for the "RUB" since I changed cases on all but 2 computers it's going to be a shell game to find out which motherboard went with which case.

  • @TayaHeiney
    @TayaHeiney Месяц назад

    Thanks Hypest Key , received windows 11 + office 2021 pro plus

  • @writerpatrick
    @writerpatrick Год назад +1

    If you used Insider Preview to install Windows 10 those keys were deactivated but you can still reinstall or upgrade on machines that were activated using it since they are tied to your Microsoft Account.

  • @johngoard8272
    @johngoard8272 Год назад +1

    Good video Brian very clear and like you say so simple to get a valid key it makes getting it free rather stupid eh?? One thing is when I run that first command it doesn't give me a key as in your blotted out screen - why is that? The last command gives me a partial key but it looks to me to be the end of the generic 10 key?? When I run Showkey it tells me that the key is a default one and needs a Digital Licence for activation so what do I do about that??

  • @Ratchet_effect
    @Ratchet_effect Год назад +3

    My key is Retail and it come from the the same company that you have as a sponsor Brian! Just had some new parts turn up so I'll need them again later 😁👍🏻

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +1

      Don't forget to show us the photos of your new pc

    • @lonndawg7554
      @lonndawg7554 Год назад +1

      yep... Same here

    • @Ratchet_effect
      @Ratchet_effect Год назад

      RUclips won't allow me to post links oh and its x2 PC(s) I bought parts between eBay and & Amazon as I can't get a straight answer from PC shops, to much beating about the bush sadly. That's why I stopped working for them some years back, to much ankle kicking under counter 'don't tell the customer' charge them instead. oh no don't tell them free! charge them £25+ 🤦‍♂️ that was just part of it all, things were worse! but don't want to go down that road on here Brian! I'll try get on discord with pics IF I can get my 2FA sorted out, my old mobile went into the river so had to get new number 😥

  • @evilsdemise1287
    @evilsdemise1287 Год назад +12

    OEM keys all the way for me. You'd have to replace your hardware like 20 times to spend more money than you would have if you'd buy a retail key. Most people (myself included) never change their hardware, and if they do for whatever reason it's not a common occurrence so another 17 bucks or so for another OEM key isn't a big deal. You'd still be saving $200+.

    • @thereallantesh
      @thereallantesh Год назад +2

      You can buy a legit retail key from a third party reseller for $17 or less. There is no need to limit yourself to an OEM key.

  • @VirtualTrucker74
    @VirtualTrucker74 Год назад

    Bought a PC from Currys back in 2012, came pre-installed with Windows 7 and a special offer to upgrade to the then brand new Windows 8 Professional for a wallet busting price of 14 British pounds. Not only that but the upgrade meant I was changing from an OEM License to a Retail License.
    10 years later and I'm on home built PC number 5 and Windows 11, all using the same license key I bought back in 2012.
    As for the actual PC I bought in 2012, it was an HP something or other with an I7 processor, ironically it stopped working on the exact date the warranty ran out, which is why I switched from bre-builds to home builds.

  • @KickYouInTheThroat
    @KickYouInTheThroat Год назад

    I might have missed it, but you skipped over what could be done with a singular volume key that is legitimate. I suspect I can just rustle up another key but I was looking forward to that bit.

  • @Seafarer1947
    @Seafarer1947 Год назад +2

    Thanks for this mate 👍 I found it very useful for checking the my pc validity, type of license and expiry date (if any)
    10/10 😁

  • @grampi68
    @grampi68 Год назад +4

    Great explanation and very helpful. Can you do the same for MS Office activation keys? Thanks!

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      See what I can do

    • @melkiorwiseman5234
      @melkiorwiseman5234 Год назад

      I still use Open Office. Free, and just as good in my (admittedly limited) experience.

  • @JDHitchman
    @JDHitchman Год назад

    Brian just an FYI, my Windows 10 Pro retail key worked with a fresh install of Windows 11 Pro.

  • @misplacedmodifier46
    @misplacedmodifier46 Год назад

    Thanks - excellent

  • @anomamos9095
    @anomamos9095 Год назад

    There are some commands that use the slmgr command to install and activate keys.
    As long as it’s a legit key there should be no issue using these commands.

  • @fernandozornosa6398
    @fernandozornosa6398 Год назад

    Great video Mr britec,taht piracy software Is true,thanks.

  • @OMARMARTINEZ-oi8gp
    @OMARMARTINEZ-oi8gp Год назад

    Hi, question if I have OEM key but I want to do a clean install of Windows with the same hardware will it still activate? Thanks in advance

  • @jossmaxwell00
    @jossmaxwell00 Год назад

    OEM, I bought it at a discount using your code. Brian thanks

  • @Nick41622
    @Nick41622 Год назад

    I had Windows 7 on a disk I used that key over and over and then upgraded to10 with no problems Windows seems to forget it was used before about every 3 months. In Australia.

  • @Stan-rs1ne
    @Stan-rs1ne Год назад

    I have a windows KMS server, so now i got infinite activation spots :D And because of that I always just use the enterprise version of windows 11

  • @kennglee
    @kennglee Год назад

    I have 4 purchased versions of Windows 7 (in the box with the DVD) that I used on previous pcs that I have owned. Can I re-use one of these for a new Windows 11 build?

  • @thereallantesh
    @thereallantesh Год назад +1

    Great content. I followed your instructions in a previous video on how to deactivate my key in order to then use it on another PC. One thing none of the commands seem to show though is how to see what version of Windows a key was originally for. I know I purchased a Windows 10 key. Is there a command I can run that will specifically show it as Windows 10?

    • @jay-9197
      @jay-9197 Год назад +1

      I know your comment is from 3 months ago, but just in case you will ever need this information again, simply type in cmd " winver " (without quotation marks). Hope that helps!

    • @thereallantesh
      @thereallantesh Год назад

      @@jay-9197 thank you sir

  • @Playingwith3D
    @Playingwith3D Год назад

    I have the same key since windows 7 pro through win 11 over 5 installs on different machines. I was sure they would make me buy a new key by now. But so far I've been lucky.

  • @RobertKeenanComp-U-Right
    @RobertKeenanComp-U-Right Год назад

    Thanks for the video Brian, And thanks for the belly laugh as well "Probably Told A Few Porkies"😂

  • @tcntad87
    @tcntad87 Год назад +3

    Im pretty sure if its activated by VL/MAK its a corporate key and it would say "Windows is activated using your organization's activation service. I bet to 99.9% the KMSCLient partial key is T83GX which is kinda public and the KMS host tricks windows into thinking its activated, refreshed every 180 day or whatever, all it does it replies to Windows question "Is this key OK"
    Different MB's have different HWID's so theyre different.
    OEM_DM are present in UEFI and Windows will install appropriate version if found in install media.

  • @TopCrinkly68
    @TopCrinkly68 Год назад

    Yet another Gem!!

  • @frymc5351
    @frymc5351 Год назад

    Is it possible to activate OEM keys after new motherboard through connection to the microsoft account? If you used a online microsoft account the key is also associated with the microsoft account as far as i know. so if you change your motherboard it perhaps gets reactivated when the user is again logged in in the microsoft account?

  • @rlbijster
    @rlbijster Год назад

    Windows 11 Pro Retail key. I'm about to change my motherboard and, if I've understood everything correctly, if I have to reactivate Windows my current retail key should be fine to use after the hardware change.

  • @arhamahmedkhan7060
    @arhamahmedkhan7060 11 месяцев назад +1

    What if I had an OEM Key of windows 11 home but I upgraded to windows 11 pro using kms key. How can I go back to my windows 11 home?

  • @TGGDrones
    @TGGDrones Год назад

    I've always stuck with a retail key and it's stuck by me too, I got a free upgrade to Windows 10, changed my PC and I'll probably get a free upgrade to Windows 11 once they remove the need for a TPM.

  • @tomdickie735
    @tomdickie735 Год назад

    I got a computer from my work which was getting scrapped, I used the hard drive with windows 10 pro OS from it to build a gaming pc with a new motherboard, windows boots up perfectly, my question is, if I reset it to register it to my own Microsoft account will It still work??
    My first gaming PC build for my son so was trying to do it on the cheap 😜

  • @SHAdow98V
    @SHAdow98V Год назад

    Not a bad video,but i have a question,how do i find out my activation key,i installed Windows 10 about 2 years ago and i think it was when windows 10 was made fully free or something? idk but when i installed it it activated itself so it is an activated licensed instalation and it shows as a retail one not the suspicious volume one or OEM.
    So i assume it should be the reuseable kind but i didn't introduce any key back then it just activated itself but i want to know if i can find out the activation key in case i have to reinstall windows since lately there have been some drive errors and such,hopefully i fix them and there is no need to fully reinstall the OS but if worse comes to worse i wish i could find out the activation key i have in order to try and reuse it.
    EDIT: Nevermind i found it using the registry editor since it keeps a backup of it,to those who wonder how to find it just open Registry Editor and navigate to "Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform" in there you will find "BackupProductKeyDefault",there's your activation key.

  • @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD
    @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD Год назад +1

    Hello, thank you for your valuable educational videos, I have a retail key and I could install it on a second computer, any explanation?

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +1

      One Licence = One Computer. So if you are asking whether you can activate say windows 10 on two computers with one retail key, then the answer is NO.

    • @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD
      @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD Год назад

      @@Britec09 I have activated 2 win 11 pro computers with the same retail key

    • @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD
      @eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD Год назад +1

      @@LiorTestg Hi Lior, They are both actually connected to the interned now and have been since 3 months

    • @lonndawg7554
      @lonndawg7554 Год назад +2

      @@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD yeah, I had a similar experience with Windows 7 about 10 years ago, but here's what happened after a great deal of time... Apparently Microsoft does its product key activation sweeps and well suddenly I found that machine lost it's license key validation... So consider yourself a lucky guy until potentially that happens right now Microsoft is so desperate to keep people on Windows 10 and 11 they might let this go on for quite a while.

    • @tcntad87
      @tcntad87 Год назад

      You can move retail keys

  • @rmorenberg
    @rmorenberg 10 месяцев назад

    great video. how do I get to see my key?

  • @livegna
    @livegna 9 месяцев назад

    So does that mean I can use my original Windows product key to any upgraded version of widows?

  • @KaptainSpaulding
    @KaptainSpaulding Год назад

    So I bought the Ryzen 9 mini by Beelink. I just checked my WIN11 PRO license that it came with and it says it is a volume key. Any ideas?

  • @PaulJohn01
    @PaulJohn01 Год назад +7

    Can't believe i'm this early, also very relevant as i'm about to build a new system and give my old one to my wife.

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +2

      Thanks for watching

    • @PaulJohn01
      @PaulJohn01 Год назад

      @@Britec09 Always informative 👍. I'm just waiting to see if someone comments asking what are "porkies" 🤔😁🤣

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +2

      Porky's It means two things in UK Telling Porky's = Lies and Porky = Fat. hope this helps. Slang words

    • @PaulJohn01
      @PaulJohn01 Год назад

      @@Britec09 Oh yeah i knew that as i'm from the UK 😁.
      Was wondering if it was going to confuse any of your US/International viewers.

  • @maimeredith9519
    @maimeredith9519 Год назад +20

    To get windows:
    Open you internet browser and type bestkey355
    Hi there. Very helpful video! However, I have a question. When I boot up my laptop, my laptop isn't able to read my brand new SSD. I already tried different solutions like downloading the F6 drivers into USB drive, initialize the brand new SSD on different computer. However, none of them work. What can I do please?

  • @rajinakaucha128
    @rajinakaucha128 29 дней назад

    Banger

  • @ruthron623
    @ruthron623 Год назад

    Where can i buy a genuine retail key for windows 11 pro?

  • @WhattEvery
    @WhattEvery Год назад

    I've used my windows 7 Pro key up to now, on my windows 11 Pro PC.

  • @n.l3880
    @n.l3880 Год назад

    I have been able to re-use OEM keys many times from old trashed computers and just activate them on my system without any issues

  • @vinnie69ish
    @vinnie69ish Год назад

    ive got a oem key for windows 11 ! i followed one of your videos where you shown how to update to windows 11 without reinstalling and i bought the key from the site you specified and this is a oem key not retail which you would of expected. then again cheap website bent keys

  • @63Arnast
    @63Arnast Год назад

    What place do you recommend getting a windows key from (every place i looked was (60 - 70aud)?. My key windows 10 that was originally windows 7 is an digital OEM key permanent. I've changed my motherboard and i think all i had to do was give them a number and the gave me another type of code to continue..

    • @63Arnast
      @63Arnast Год назад

      @@My_Old_YT_Account Thanks... any place you would recommend getting the script from and was wondering what Britec uses as i know he use to have a link up with a code you could use to get a discount on the keys.

  • @ceejay2k2
    @ceejay2k2 Год назад +3

    I had 2 keys from old HP laptops with Win7, used both to upgrade to Win10 on completely different machines.
    One key was HOME OEM the other was Pro Retail.
    Not had any problem with the OEM key here. And I've changed motherboard no problem, just had to reactivate with the key since windows were throwing a fit since it was a new mobo altho it was exact same one due to a warranty return.
    So not sure the info in this video is correct?

  • @Dhalin
    @Dhalin Год назад

    Ok, so..... my computer is kinda weird, lol. What I did was I used a Windows 7 key to install Windows 10 (but yet install it fresh on a new HDD) and so I don't have an OEM, nor a volume key. I think it's a retail key? But I'm unclear on that. But I've been able to re-use it a number of times, and it seems like it will let me re-use it (this is the 2nd time I've upgraded my computer and successfully used that key to install windows) and IIRC, Windows 7 keys are "forgotten" after a number of months, so if you have an old Win7 key laying around, it might be worth trying that. IIRC, windows 10 will ask you to put a win7 install disc in to verify that you do in fact have a valid win7 install as evidence that you own a win7 license or some-such. I forget the exact process, it's been awhile. Also might be worthwhile to keep an activated win7 on some small cheap SSD somewhere so you can put that in your system (install w10/11 on your new SSD of course and then remove the old win7 SSD to re-use later) and windows will see that you have win7 on your computer currently and just generate a free key for you, lol.

  • @smada36
    @smada36 Год назад +1

    I have bought motherboards off eBay, installed a fresh copy of windows and had it automatically activate. These were test rigs that I had no intention of activating, just testing and benchmarking parts. Quite odd.
    The only time that I have had an issue was five or six years ago. I had got in touch with Microsoft to get a third party key to activate, and I seem to recall it was over live chat. I was asked where I had got the key as they said it looked an unusual one. What exactly that looked unusual was never disclosed. Maybe it was meant for another part of the world. I guess they must keep track of all these keys. But it activated as an OEM and now I have absolutely no idea what happened to that PC. It's probably in bits on the shelf in storage.

    • @STONE6969
      @STONE6969 Год назад +2

      But you had to sign in to MS account, with the new Motherboard, otherwise it would not work. You failed to state this in your comment.

    • @smada36
      @smada36 Год назад

      @@STONE6969 Maybe, I don't remember. However, it still activated with an OEM key that I did not buy or input and did not have the rest of the hardware for. So if I did login with my MS account, it would have linked that key to me. In theory, it's not supposed to do that. 🤷‍♂

  • @anikks2645
    @anikks2645 Год назад

    what's the app on right top corner? I used xmeters on windows 10. but can't find a similar system monitoring software in the taskbar in windows 11.

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      ruclips.net/video/lAPbBdPlKOg/видео.html

  • @DTMAce
    @DTMAce Год назад +3

    Hate to disagree, but having built and repaired computers for the past two decades, there are a few caveats with OEM keys in general.
    OEM keys that are used in the OS often are not the same as the key that is included on the actual case. (Till Windows 8 that is.) Back then the OEM systems were often activated with an OEM OS insert key that was completely different than the one on the label. That means you could use the label to re-activate the system if you changed hardware in it, providing you either replaced it with the same brand motherboard and use the OEM recovery install, or any motherboard and used the standard OEM vanilla install disk.
    Even now, with Windows 11, you can literally install 11 onto a new built machine with a USB stick, during the setup plug in (for example) an HP OEM key peeled from a dead laptop for Windows 7, and it will activate in Windows 11, no problem. PROVIDING it hasn't been used for a Windows activation previously. Though often you can activate an OEM key off of a main manufacturer of PCs, (like Dell, HP, Lenovo) a couple of times before you have to make a call and verify it with MS.
    I have had to make that call a lot back in the Win 7 days when activating an OEM key from say HP with a standard OEM install. Mostly because the activation knew it was not a direct match. But all the automated call would do is verify the key and activate it, no problem.
    I have not had to do this with Windows 10 or 11. Ever. And I have activated from Windows 7 keys many, many times the past few years without any issues at all. Either from direct upgrades, or fresh installs.
    Nice part about the newer OEM systems these days, the keys are stored directly in the motherboard from the various OEMs. That means, as long as that motherboard works, you can use ANY release version of either Home or Pro (whichever it came with) of Windows you want. 8, 10, or 11. Best part is, once you activate a key with a machine, it stays with that hardware, you will never have to type it in or activate it again, even for a fresh install on new drives. As long as the motherboard doesn't change. And even then, if you managed to link the machine properly to your microsoft account, you often can still transfer that license to a new board if the previous motherboard dies.
    The more you know.

    • @edwardmacnab354
      @edwardmacnab354 Год назад

      i don't even understand what you said

    • @triforcelink
      @triforcelink Год назад +1

      That’s pretty cool that a new key gets stored on the motherboard.

  • @CoMmAnDrX
    @CoMmAnDrX Год назад

    OEM aka companies like HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and so on have the key embedded in the firmware. So if you have to swap the board you will have no activation issues. I've swapped many boards with the key embedded going back to Windows 8.0 with no issues.

    • @skilz8098
      @skilz8098 Год назад

      That's fine if you buy a manufactured pc... try that when you custom build your own...

  • @GummyBearA25
    @GummyBearA25 Год назад

    Hey Guys... Running my 3 PC's ( Ryzen 5 , I3 7100 and 10th Gen 10700 ) on OEM Keys that came off HP Elite , 2nd and 3hd Gen desk tops. So OEM keys might be different ?

  • @MrRadsVarietyChannel
    @MrRadsVarietyChannel Год назад

    Can I upgrade to Windows 11 and have it still activated with my Windows 10 activation?

  • @Pabula
    @Pabula Год назад

    What software is on your top right corner, that measure cpu, gpa temperature ?

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      Made a video about it not so long ago.

    • @Pabula
      @Pabula Год назад +1

      @@LiorTestg thanks

  • @DrRoos
    @DrRoos Год назад

    I have a Dell computer with a corrupted windows os. I would like to reinstall windows 10. It will not reset. I have windows 10 os on a flash drive I used to install on another computer. Can I use the flash to reinstall windows? Not sure what to do when it asks for product key or if it will ask. I do not know how to get product key from the Dell.

  • @muppetarms8406
    @muppetarms8406 Год назад

    Hi when I try this I get a popup with Windows Script Host is disabled on this machine. Contact your Administrator, but you gest it I am the Administrator and have full access. How do I fix this?

  • @1300l
    @1300l Год назад

    I used my old Windows 8.1 key on 10 and now 11.
    It all work fine

  • @PCIeTeam
    @PCIeTeam Год назад

    I used an OEM with a 10 1607 key (Acer Aspire E15 E5-575G-728J), and for some reason, my Windows 11 Home SL VM accepted it.

  • @mac1326
    @mac1326 Год назад

    what is MAK license key?

  • @ronaldw2453
    @ronaldw2453 Год назад

    You can get that info thru the run command instead of command prompt.

  • @Submody2023
    @Submody2023 Год назад

    Can I use this to find out what my key code is?

  • @sumuduranathunga
    @sumuduranathunga Год назад

    My laptop came with Windows 10 home OEM upgraded to w11 home. Also I got Windows 10 pro key for my desktop it's 2.5USD by online store. I checked it's RETAIL key. Idk how they sell those key cheap. Btw I linked it to my Microsoft account too..

  • @bigboigaming8158
    @bigboigaming8158 Год назад

    So when you say one pc at a time, will it deactivate the other one?

  • @XENONEOMORPH1979
    @XENONEOMORPH1979 Год назад

    retail key for this machine only if i do replace a gpu then i would have to change th ekey i do not mind but if it a drive i seem to get away with it as i clone the drive.

  • @kingklump
    @kingklump Год назад

    Interesting... I transferred a hard drive with a full Windows 10 install with an OEM key from an HP to a custom built system, and windows is still fully activated. I take it that's not normal?

  • @YCFT69
    @YCFT69 Год назад +3

    Hey Britec. I wanna ask you a question. Is the app called "Explorer patcher" safe? I heard that it can damage your computer.

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +7

      Video coming Monday

    • @YCFT69
      @YCFT69 Год назад +2

      @@Britec09 ok

  • @koosschutter1675
    @koosschutter1675 Год назад

    How do I transfer a retail key from one pc to another?
    I had to reinstall windows 7 once and the key worked again but I'm hoping it would work on another, hopefully at the same time.

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      Made a video I think. Check out my play list, if you can't find it, I will make another one.

    • @koosschutter1675
      @koosschutter1675 Год назад

      @@Britec09 I found it thank you very much. Is there a server that remembered my pc, because I had to reinstall my entire dual boot system after I couldn't boot?

  • @Zakir_CivilEng
    @Zakir_CivilEng Год назад

    Sir how I can show desk details in my desktop as like yours please?

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      ruclips.net/video/lAPbBdPlKOg/видео.html

  • @creed5248
    @creed5248 Год назад +1

    Last I checked they / Microsoft was still allowing free upgrades from Windows 7 installations . Seems like they don't care as much about charging for newer Operating systems . Maybe because of all the ad stuff built in nowadays ?

  • @tridens6708
    @tridens6708 Год назад

    Retail keys or Oem cod stiker

  • @dogcowrph
    @dogcowrph Год назад

    There is no key on MacOS. You can always dual boot, triple boot or boot from any OS you wish on an Apple product.
    I never use Windows at home unless there’s some bit of software that I can’t get on my Mac or if I want to take work home with me (which is almost never). I’ve been doing this since the nineties (although this was VERY slow back them.
    Thanks for the video.

  • @paulwarner5395
    @paulwarner5395 Год назад

    Both my Win 10 and 11 versions are activated via Insider Preview channels.

  • @derekdonlon5291
    @derekdonlon5291 Год назад

    Dell Optiplex 3050 win 11 pro, very good to find out its genuine 😁

  • @Scion141
    @Scion141 Год назад +2

    Maybe someone here can explain this to me. A year or two after Windows 8 (Pro) was released, I bought a physical copy at a store, as it was being sold for cheap. I installed it on my PC, and years later, I took the free upgrade to Windows 10. A few years after that, I bought a laptop that came with Windows 10 Home Edition. A year later, I remembered my Windows 8 Pro, and decided to try using it on my laptop, and try upgrading from Home to Pro. I did, and it worked. My PC has Windows 10 Pro, and so does my laptop, using the same Windows 8 Pro product key.
    When I check the Product ID on both, the only difference is the last two characters.

    • @ronhammant7309
      @ronhammant7309 Год назад +1

      My original Win 7 also will install with the same product key on any home built PC, as the OS's are no longer supported, it seems irrelevant to Microsoft as their thinking is to isolate from pre-Win 10 operating systems due to their different OS platforms, 'Pre-10 OS's do not matter!'. PS, I'd find any way possible to continue using Win 7, it allows for more personal PC freedom, anything past Win 7/8 you belong to Microsoft. This is what I believe and I'm open to correction.

    • @problemchild959
      @problemchild959 Год назад +1

      If you check it also most like says activated with a digital something (forget the exact wording). that's because when you do an Upgrade, it generates a new key. so by installing it on a second machine which has a different hardware id and then doing the upgrade, it made a new key for that computer. its actually a pretty simple way of getting around buying windows 10 if you had an upgrade-able system. I have a friend who has installed Windows 10 on 5 machines using the *same* windows 7 key. not sure if it still works but at one time as long as it wasn't an OEM key, you could install windows 10 with a windows 7 key because of the free upgrade, and it would also generate a new key because the keys for each os are different.

    • @Scion141
      @Scion141 Год назад

      @@problemchild959 Ah, that makes sense.

  • @johnsenchak1428
    @johnsenchak1428 Год назад

    It can also be a digital entitlement key from a Windows 7/8 upgrade to Windows 10 and then to 11, ......

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      Yes, digital entitlement registers your hardware the same as OEM

  • @herrogamer2606
    @herrogamer2606 2 месяца назад

    I have a volume key, and i think its pirated, i get an option to update windows, if i update windows, i think it will overwrite the crack and will ask me to enter a new key , so shall i update or just go through the hassle of reinstalling windows from scratch, i just bought a retail key.

  • @abcdefg8999
    @abcdefg8999 Год назад

    no if you tried to switch from other os and switch back to win. 10 it doesnt work

  • @jiggybucksington
    @jiggybucksington Год назад

    I activated two copies of windows 7 12 years ago with DazLoader. One pro one normal. I’ve gotten free upgrades to 10 and 11 on my newest machine and I’ve reused the same two keys on my Microsoft account at least 7 different computers and never had an issue. And I never called anyone about an activation there’s an option when the keys are in your Microsoft account that asks if you’ve changed hardware recently. I’ve only had one instance where it didn’t activate the computer I was on. But I’m about to run these commands tho to see what kind of activation I have.

    • @tcntad87
      @tcntad87 Год назад

      Its not DazLoader, its Windows Loader, its developed by Daz on MDL Forums (And probably others) It uses SLIC method (usually deployed buy OEM manufactures) which runs before you login/windows boot.

    • @jiggybucksington
      @jiggybucksington Год назад

      @@tcntad87 it was definitely Daz loader and 12 years later my windows 11 pro pc is genuine because of the windows 7 I installed with that loader in 2010

    • @tcntad87
      @tcntad87 Год назад

      @@jiggybucksington its Windows Loader. Yea i know, beacuse w10 was free if you upgraded and had genuine license., Thats what the loader does, it runs before Windows fully started and telling windows is activated.

    • @problemchild959
      @problemchild959 Год назад

      you couldn't be farther from the truth sorry. I've had a pc deactivate over a hard drive change or motherboard change. there is a reason they put the key on a sticker on the side. its not tied to the hardware its tied to the installation id which is generated based on the hardware at the time of activation. it was a system designed so that if you attempted to clone a drive (extremely easy) and put it in a second machine, it would deactivate to prevent you using it for free. every single time I called the phone activation and said yep I had to replace some hardware and verify this was the only computer with that key installed, they gave me my code and windows was reactivated.

  • @SH_SLR722s
    @SH_SLR722s 5 месяцев назад

    I've bought Lenovo laptop (Refurbished), and then I found out that this laptop had installed Windows 10 Pro, then i checked in cmd with command slmgr /dli and it showed me that i had Volume kms_client key, then i decided to clean install Windows 10 and after Windows was installed i saw that my Lenovo laptop was automatically activated with Windows 10 Home, i checked command in cmd and now it shows me OEM_dm channel, which means my laptop has OEM key

  • @V530-15ICR
    @V530-15ICR Год назад +2

    I activate windows for free on my VMs using kms keys without needing to disable antivirus or download anything, just changing some regedit settings and using the slmgr command

    • @YCFT69
      @YCFT69 Год назад +1

      Same

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад +1

      That is piracy

    • @sameerhussain2579
      @sameerhussain2579 Год назад +2

      @@Britec09 but it shouldn't matter as long as its a VM, right

    • @greenonline5469
      @greenonline5469 Год назад +2

      I've cracked Windows on all on my Windows XP, Vista and 7 VMs (not bothered on 8 and newer since they don't require activation). I've done it so well that even Microsoft's Genuine Advantage thingy that Windows Update downloads even passes my VMs off as genuine.
      Gotta know how to do it~

    • @V530-15ICR
      @V530-15ICR Год назад +1

      @@Britec09 it works good and idc if it's piracy

  • @Thrakus
    @Thrakus Год назад

    You can use a key as much as you like however Microsoft does like to lock your key after 5 times, bUT They let you keep using it if you contact them. Why do people repay for windows as we all have like 5 keys for win 7 10 we can use are an upgrade?

  • @mystynag6318
    @mystynag6318 Год назад

    Hello all my files has Change to bbii virus and I need Help to get original files. Help me

  • @yankees2000
    @yankees2000 Год назад +1

    I've just got new Motherboard and Cpu (12th Gen from 8th gen) and new 3080 graphice card and put a ssd in with my saved back up OS and then I logged in with my Microsoft account and Activation showing "digital licence linked to your Microsoft account " - I did not try and activate it - it just activated the new system. - just noted that I'm still using the old computer (8th gen ) as a 2nd computer and that computer showing "digital licence linked to your Microsoft account " and this computer (12th gen) has cloned OS from that (8th gen) computer.

    • @STONE6969
      @STONE6969 Год назад +1

      You cloned your OS over to the new computer, that is the right way to keep using your key. awesome.

  • @f23948
    @f23948 Год назад

    I am using Linux Lite as my primary system, if I buy legit cheap OEM product key, is it legal or illegal to activate cheap OEM product key in Windows 10 or 11 in VirtualBox??? Please reply

    • @Britec09
      @Britec09  Год назад

      You don't need to activate widows in a vm

    • @f23948
      @f23948 Год назад

      @@Britec09 oh ok thank you

  • @vamboo8918
    @vamboo8918 Год назад

    What's happens if we use windows without activating it?

  • @DAZnBLAST
    @DAZnBLAST Год назад

    OEM comes with a manufactured machine, e.g. Dell, HP etc and is fixed to that machine running that exact hardware. Replace the hardware e.g. faster CPU etc and Microsoft will say, that Windows key is not for that machine running that new CPU etc. Buy another key.
    A retail key would work in the above scenario.

    • @notajp
      @notajp Год назад

      I have an old Compaq desktop that was running Vista. I upgraded to 10 using the online media creation tool. Didn’t have to buy a product key, it automatically activated. I swapped out the processor to a faster one and had no issues at all. Other than Windows running a bit faster, it was like nothing had changed…

    • @DAZnBLAST
      @DAZnBLAST Год назад

      @@notajp Upgrade to Windows 11, change hardware and watch what happens!

    • @baldy95307
      @baldy95307 Год назад

      @@DAZnBLAST Many OEM supplied systems have the product key embedded in the UEFI BIOS so changing out CPU, SSDs, or other attached hardware will not affect the activated product key. The same generally holds true for DIYers who have their home built computers activated with a purchased OEM key. Once activated, that product key is supposedly forever tied to that motherboard. Once again the user can change CPUs, SSDs, and other hardware without affecting the activation status. This rule applies to Win10 and Win11. Sometimes a user may change out a motherboard, re-install Windows using the previous OEM key, and somehow Microsoft may allow the re-activation. Microsoft has been very lax in enforcing the rule about OEM product keys. Some are lucky while some aren't. But for those that don't get re-activation, what's another $15 for a new OEM key? Nobody has yet been able to determine exactly why it works for some but not for others and Microsoft ain't talking.

  • @triprasa7
    @triprasa7 9 месяцев назад

    4:23 OEM keys