How Microsoft Product Keys Work | Licensing Explained

38 thoughts on “How Microsoft Product Keys Work | Licensing Explained”

1. I forgot to mention in the video, but sometime "shady" key websites buy legit single use product keys with stolen credit cards / gift cards as well. Then they deactivate after the charge back happens several months later. There is just so many ways product keys can get deactivated / activated it is hard to cover all the angles. Fun fact: Earlier in the year Microsoft's activation server was on the fritz and I had a bunch of LEGIT keys become deactivated for a day.

2. The $200 Windows 10/11 Pro key you buy "from the store" is what is called Retail, and can be transferred. Simply re-enter the key on your updated hardware, and if it doesn't activate automatically follow the instructions for phone activation. I've done that multiple times in the past, even had to attest to the system that my key was installed on only one piece of hardware (in my case due to motherboard upgrades).

3. CDN77 is shady; they openly support an extremist streaming service.

4. Is BIND key safe?

5. OK I guess I won't get my answer here you to involve with saying people who can't afford it are all crooks except Microsoft isn't. By the way selling large volume is not criminal especially when it's a fraction compared to full price who are the real criminals. But I know a few people that had their key working for over 6 years and still working.

6. Does this also apply to software/programs that aren't Windows?
   For example, a video game, or software for cameras/scanners/etc.

7. I have never had one "dry up" after many years.

8. So amazon and walmart are "shady" websites and they are selling "illegal" activation keys?

9. if you want to run Windows in a virtual machine, what kind of license do you need ?

10. I really should have hoarded more Windows keys when I was a CS Undergraduate Student and therefore they were free… Big regret.

11. If I replace the main board on my PC, will windows 10 still work?

12. I am trying to upgrade from windows 8.1 to windows 10. So many places say its free. I have tried a bunch of different ways to install and have not had any success. What is my best option? Apparently I have until January 2023 to update or my operating system will be obsolete. Thank You.

13. 14 years ago I started buying MS Visio, office as my work dissapeared today in retirement new softare purcheses Demanded a New CPU & MB. Thank GOD I waas using a RETAIL MSPro 10. Love your whole instruction on the the license transfer etc. FAN 3 years+

14. Just run VLMCSD on a RaspPie and activate any Windows product that supports KMS activation. Can use untouched ISOs so no chance of any malicious software and will pass all genuine checks. Activates all Windows from Vista up as well as Server and Office.

15. You speak of shady keys but genuine ones are no better. I have older software that you get a confirmation key and this will work forever. I can reinstall it. Of course with these two the product could be put on other machines. Newer versions require activation. Often periodic reactivation. Now what happens some years later when they withdraw the activation server? The product stops working and you lose your data. But that is not a part of the original licence. Great. You could sue the company if you have a spare few hundred thousand dollars. So I continue to use the older versions which just work.

16. i bought a retail product key on ebay for under £ 3 back in 2012 and it still works to this day, the key was sent to me via email.

17. so wheres the best place to buy a new key?

18. Hey Chris, MS can stick their keys up their butt.

19. When you said “it sticks to that hardware” By that you mean the HD/SSD or motherboard?

20. Dont buy windows from amazon or amy other retailer. There's a good chance that even legit keys will be deauthorised at some point and unless you can prove your purchase to microsoft they won't do squat to help you.

    If you absolutely have to buy windows, buy it from MS directly so they can't snake their way out of reactivating it later or better yet, don't give them your money.

21. where can i find that screen saver on ur servers
    the matrix ones

22. Mad props for the Weyland-Yutani Corp T shirt…Welwala

23. The EU Supreme Court has ruled that it's perfectly legal to resell unused software keys, based on the "principle of exhaustion", which states that a copyright owner's right to control copies of their work “exhausts” on its first sale by the copyright owner. So it's not "disgruntled IT employees" who sell the excess keys, it's part of company policy; they are simply assets that can be sold. Thus, in Europe, there is a legal market of second-hand activation keys.

24. Can KMS key be embed in the hardware of a computer?

25. Just a quick question, i have Windows Srv 2012R2 Standard MAK B that reads 3/43. Does it mean i can use the product key 43 times .
    If so, can i used it on different HP Servers?

26. Great video. I have a laptop from certified refurbisher, legitimate sticker on bottom. But when I run Nirsoft it shows me a different Product Key. Why? Does Product Key change with update? Thanks.

27. I have a good Windows 10 key I have never used that came with the Windows 10 I bought this week.

28. This is the first video I've seen on Windows keys that actually makes sense. Thanks Chris!

29. i was expecting you tell me how it works, not this

30. Says the guy who used an Auto KMS client hook on Server 2019.

31. I bought a brand new gaming pc and they said PK is in the mother board already but it is not activating. What can I do?…. 🤷🏻‍♂️

32. I rather buy it for cheap and use it for a year than buy it for hundreds of dollars

33. this video is a bit old, but I have the Windows 10 Pro license tied to my MS Account and I don't ever remember buying one, it's kinda neat, every PC I connect my Microsoft account is good to go for a few years now, just sad that it forces me to login with my MS Account when I wanted a local account.

34. I dont care wether its legal or not, all i want is just original software running on my machine. So $2 for 1 year MAK license? Ill go for it.

35. Thanks! This has always been a mystery for me. It all makes total sense now.

36. I was using windows in then i got ubuntu working again. Well now i keep a backup ubuntu on a a drive n windows what. Well less i need some windows only software which is ever less n less

37. Just use a .bat file, good for office too

38. Video starts at 2:10

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