Ask a new question

Is there a way BEFORE INSTALLING to validate a Windows 10 product key to determine if it is legitimate?

Is there a way BEFORE INSTALLING to validate a Windows 10 product key to determine if it is legitimate?

Is there a Microsoft web page where I can type the full key in and get back a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

I have a  "Pro Full Version" of Windows 10 purchased on Amazon for about $200. It has a little credit card in the box with a product key sticker on it. 

The reason I ask is that some reviewers indicate that they were unable to activate theirs but about 50% of the over 300 reviewers say everything went fine.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

Hello Tim,

Keys purchased on Amazon via non Microsoft websites are not really legitimate, as the only legitimate source is Microsoft.
You paid much money if you didn't by this with Microsoft.

If your activation don"t work, contact the seller.

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Tim. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP here to help you.

Yes, you can contact Microsoft Customer Service here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/405170... to validate the Product Key.

Always buy software from major retailers (e..g. Amazon mainline) or Microsoft who back their sales. If the key isn't genuine then I'd contact Amazon ASAP to see if they'll protect you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Well, it said "by Microsoft", and the price was hardly too-good-to-be-true.

I assumed that Amazon is legitimate, although I do know that auction sites are to be avoided.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Sorry, but it was a waste of time. Couldn't get through to a human being, and the automated system was treating me as if I was trying to activate at that very moment and required me to be seated in front of the machine.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

And it has been possible for years to buy Microsoft products from brick-and-mortar computer stores. Why should I assume  that a seller on Amazon is probably illegitimate when so much retail has moved to the internet?

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello,
The only legitimate keys are sold via Microsoft.
Independant sellers on Amazon are not legitimate.

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

The Windows Products offered by Amazon are FROM Microsoft.

Image

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I would just like to point out that what I believed I had bought was a legitimate Pro FULL VERSION (not OEM) copy of Microsoft Windows 10. 

The "Full Version" is not tied to a particular piece of equipment, unlike the OEM version, but allows the buyer to upgrade their hardware at a later point in time (e.g. a different motherboard).

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Oh. Wups!

Here you go:

Image

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello,
The only legitimate keys are sold via Microsoft.
Independant sellers on Amazon are not legitimate.

Directly strikes again.  This is absolutely not true.  Third-party sellers do sell legitimate packages.  If the key is sold by itself, without installation media and COA, it's bound to be non-genuine.  You have no basis for making the blanket statement that Windows packages sold by Amazon or other third-party sellers are not genuine.

2 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated April 19, 2025 Views 1,501 Applies to: