I don't think they're even OEM keys (ie. the "system builder" ones that newegg sells). They're probably a combination of academic/bizspark/msdn/volume licenses that aren't permitted for everyday use.
Windows that come preinstalled from a hardware vendor have OEM lisc.
If you buy windows that isn't OEM the keys are now bound to your email address (more accurately your Microsoft account) those version of windows are easily transportable between hardware.
People often make the mistake of purchasing OEM windows because of the reduced cost but fail to realize they are hardware bound at registration.
This is silly and inaccurate since at least 2012. OEM Windows keys are stored in the BIOS and can be activated without knowing the key. Also, you do not have to torrent Windows ISOs, they're freely available from Microsoft via the Media Creation Tool.
Correct. If you need to do a fresh install on the same or new drive, then you'll need a new key. I only use these cheap OEM keys for VMs and use more expensive retail keys that persist with MS login on physical hardware. Although I know plenty of people that build own gaming machines with OEM keys.
The OEM key would be usually encoded into the BIOS on newer releases of Windows, and could be read from a working Windows install using a freeware utility. In practice, it was unlikely you'd have to reinstall on a freshly wiped PC that you don't have an OEM key for.
Thank You nightski. These are not OEM licenses, I bought the Windows Pro one fair and square and full. Can you send a link to an how to? I do confirm that I could not do it there was nothing on the MS license site that lets me do the switch. Nothing I confirm.
This is not true at all, you can transfer the license. Unless it was an OEM license and is tied to the hardware. It has nothing to do with your MS account. I've done this many times when upgrading hardware for myself and my family using different combinations of Home/Pro licenses.
OEMs and businesses are allowed to buy keys in bulk, and sometimes resell spare ones they don't need. (Or, worse, buy them in bulk with the direct intention of reselling them.)
I bought a couple of Windows 10 keys a few years ago, and they only worked for a few months before Microsoft blocked them. And fair enough, I suppose.
It's worth noting that if you have a valid key for Windows 7, 8, or 10 that you are not using, it will be accepted in Windows 11.
Last time I bought a very cheap Windows 9? (circa $35) it was simply an OEM edition that required you to call MS and tell them you are registering new hardware. It obviously implied you could not reuse the key for new hardware.
But that was a genuine key.
PS: I just checked the listing you gave and yes - that is an OEM version where they clearly describe that you would need to personally register your copy over phone and that you can only use it for one PC.
It seems like you are at least partially wrong about them being generally a scam.
Once upon a time dell would let you return the OEM CD if you weren't going to use windows. I wonder if they still do that. They could invalidate the OEM key to windows, not sure if microsoft would care to implement that and give dell the money back.
I think they are supposed to be non transferable as well (can't transfer to a new PC)
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