I see many websites that sell very cheap windows 10 product keys

Hello,

In the internet, I see many websites in the US and in many countries like in Thailan, my hometown, are selling windows 10 product key at very cheap price. Some of them sell at $10 for a windows 10 pro product key, and they receive good reviews from users. 

This is what I am wondering:

- Does Microsoft know about this?

- How can they sell product keys at very cheap price?

- Are they authorized seller?

- How can they get the keys?

- Do Microsoft give them permission to sell product keys at very cheap price?

I don't know if the keys are genuine, but they receive good reviews from buyers.

*** UPDATE ***

The buyers also receive digital license activation method.

Regard,

Sura Wankam

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Hi Sura,

- There's no telling if Microsoft acknowledges these websites, but it's likely.
- Most of the time, these sellers provide volume license keys, or keys that are used by organizations, which are usually stolen. The "volume" in volume license keys means that it can be used and activated with a volume, or a mass, of computers. They are not meant to be used in a personal setting.
- These sites are no way affiliated with Microsoft, they are not authorized resellers.
- Refer to the second question.
- It doesn't seem that Microsoft is approving of what they are doing. It may work for some people, but for some others, they find that their license might deactivate out of nowhere and be deemed as non-genuine.

I'd recommend that you purchase from a known authorized reseller, or through the Microsoft Store directly, if you want to guarantee to get mileage out of your Windows license, because it's not worth going through the trouble of having your license deemed illegitimate later on.

Hope this helps.

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These sites generally sell volume license keys. And more than often they fail or Windows is not able to activate them or they fail later on when number of license keys exceed in Microsoft servers than what was permitted.

You should buy the keys only reputed sellers where you get good support / replacement guarantee.

The reviews which are written there generally cooked up. Don't fall for them.
Sincerely yours,
Vijay A. Verma @ https://excelbianalytics.com

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The buyers also receive Digital License activation method. What does this mean?

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Sura,

I assume they're talking about digital entitlements. Simply put, a license can be unique to your computer given it retains its original motherboard, and you won't have to ever enter a product key when you reinstall Windows.

This can happen on whatever route you go, those sellers, or through Microsoft directly. As long as your license is valid, you can reinstall Windows without a product key, which is convenient.

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Hi mEverBlack,

Sorry that I didn't tell you more information.

What I also found is that the sellers just sell product keys to the buyers. The product keys can use in the new computers and new windows. The sellers also claim that the keys are retail version (Full Package Product). And they also get many good reviews from buyers. I see some of the buyers reviewed that they got the message when typing "slmgr /xpr" in CMD, "The machine is permantly activated". I will attach the link for you to see. 

https://shopee.co.th/Windows-10-Pro-Home-Retail-(ย้ายเครื่องได้-แท้100-)-i.33325706.929177354

In this Thai website, the seller is selling windows 10 product key retail version only at 140 baht, which costs around $4.49. In the reviews of the buyers, they love it! 

The keys give Digital License actvation method and the message "The machine is permanently activated"

I don't know how the sellers can sell Windows 10 Professional Product Key at this cheap price? 

Has Microsoft been violated?

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Hi Sura,

These are not genuine product keys for the general public. They are volume licence keys. They will work for a time and then they will require re-arming.

In a company or organisation these product keys are used to install hundreds, maybe thousands of PC's and on a regular basis, the company server will re-arm those PC's - that is why these product keys are of no use to the general public

This is a scam and and as the saying goes - if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is !!
___________________________________________________________________

Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 - 17.3", i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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The are likely reselling MSDN keys.

About MSDN or TechNet Product Keys
They are genuine Microsoft product keys, they are actually retail licenses, but it is intended for a particular product channel either the Microsoft Software Developer Network (MSDN) or TechNet for IT Professionals who pay a subscription fee. The main purpose is for evaluation purposes. The great thing about them, unlike trial Microsoft software, MSDN or TechNet keys don't expire. Because the agreement under which the subscription is provided is a single license, none of the software should be distributed outside of it. Even though its $50,000 worth of licenses, it is for one person only to use and no one else. Unfortunately, regardless of the licensing terms, persons still abuse the program, either giveaway product keys or resell it on auction sites. Microsoft licenses it in good faith that customers won't do so, but I guess human nature wins out.

In your case, what probably happened is, you bought an MSDN licensed key, which carries up to 10 activations unlike full packaged retail licenses which only carry 1 activation. The person who sold it to you probably sold it to 10 other persons. Somewhere along the way, one of those persons might have installed it on a second system, activated it, because it went past 10 activation threshold, Microsoft detected it that it was being abused and blocked the key from further use.
Best,
Andre
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com

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Hi Andre Da Costa,

Thank you for this answer. Actually, I didn't buy the key from these sellers, I just found this website during surfing.

Still, I am wondering how the license description will look like if they are MSDN keys when typing slmgr /dli or slmgr /dlv in CMD.

I know that in Windows 10, there are 3 versions of product, OEM_DM, RETAIL, VOLUME_MAK. 

I would like to know what the channel version for MSDN keys would be.

In the picture cropped in Paint 3D below is my OEM channel when typing slmgr /dli in CMD. And in my retail version, the channel will change to "Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel."

But for the MSDN keys, could you please tell me how they should be? VOLUME_MAK? Or RETAIL? Or are there other ways to check?

If you can give the answer for this, it will be very useful for checking channel version in Windows 10.

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Its gonna appear like a normal retail license.

You have an OEM Windows 10 Pro license installed.

Learn more:
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-10-edi...
Best,
Andre
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com

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Sura,

I believe it’s just a case of your mileage may vary. What I do know certainly is that Microsoft does not condone this kind of activity, and to use it with your computer is not a sure thing.

So what Microsoft recommends is that you either purchase a Windows 10 license from them or any authorized reseller. If you purchase from these sellers that offer these keys on the cheap, there is no recourse when your license gets deactivated or is considered illegitimate.

What I am trying to say here is: be cautious. It’s a risk in itself to purchase one of these keys. Not saying for sure you’ll face issues, but you should keep your guard up.

Best of luck.

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Last updated October 28, 2024 Views 96,033 Applies to: