Licence question.

Borders2 · Tuesday at 2:34 AM

I had a computer built for me and the person put on a win 11 license of some sort. I've lost contact with them and thecomputer is now saying it needs activation wihich ai says means the licence was short lived lets say, and has run out.

Where would the best place be to purchase a genuine one please?

wiganken · Tuesday at 3:03 AM

Genuine Windows 11 Home licence (Non-transferable) for £59.99 from Windows 11 Home - 57% off RRP | Computeractive Software Store

There may be some out there that are cheaper but I can't say if they will be genuine.

Scott · Tuesday at 3:19 AM

Choose Home or Pro. Been using keys from here for all 3 computers. No issues.

Microsoft-Verified Partner! Upgrade Your Windows OS and Enjoy Enhanced UI, Better Multitasking, and Improved Security

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www.stacksocial.com

spapakons · Tuesday at 3:51 AM

wiganken said:
Genuine Windows 11 Home licence (Non-transferable) for £59.99 from Windows 11 Home - 57% off RRP | Computeractive Software Store

There may be some out there that are cheaper but I can't say if they will be genuine.

Check if you can buy the key from Microsoft Store. It might be cheaper as well, because 59.99 pounds looks like a little expensive (compared to other sites for which I am not sure if they are legit). In general, you might find genuine OEM keys (meant only for certain brands, against EULA to install on another PC) or volume keys (meant only for employees of specific organizations) that are cheaper but violates EULA. However I find it preferable than using an illegal method of activation.

PS: Most likely your current key is a volume key which was illegally activated. Microsoft made volume keys to expire every six months so you must tell your IT to activate them again and therefore verify you are still working for the company that gave you the key. Any other method of activation is obviously illegal. Thankfully, unlike Windows XP you can use an OEM or retail key to re-activate Windows 11. Volume keys for XP required a special version called Windows 11 Professional Corporate (or similar) and could not activate the OEM or retail versions. Similarly you could not make your installation legit by just replacing the key with an OEM or retail key, you had to reinstall Windows XP using the OEM or retail CD-ROM! So if anyone had an illegally activated copy of XP and it was blocked and required activation again, he was screwed! He had to reinstall Windows. Not really convenient.

idgat · Tuesday at 4:03 AM

Borders2 said:
ai says means the licence was short lived lets say, and has run out.

There is no such thing. A license is either genuine, or not. The latter I'm now guessing.

spapakons · Tuesday at 4:05 AM

idgat said:
There is no such thing. A license is either genuine, or not. The latter I'm now guessing.

Like I said, probably an illegally activated volume key that expires after 6 months and requires activation by the company IT.

Shambles Bank · Tuesday at 4:10 AM

You can purchase W11 Pro licence keys for US8.00 if you know how to use a search engine. Whether you think it's moral or not, is a question for oneself.

wiganken · Tuesday at 4:40 AM

Borders2 said:
Where would the best place be to purchase a genuine one please?

The OP specifically stated they wanted a genuine licence.

Shambles Bank · Tuesday at 4:49 AM

wiganken said:
The OP specifically stated they wanted a genuine licence.

Borders2 said:
Where would the best place be to purchase a genuine one please?

If it's a completely legit licence from Microsoft you're after, then buy it direct from Microsoft online at GBP219.99 for Windows 11 Pro if you're in the UK, or USD199.99 from the US Microsoft website.

Borders2 · Tuesday at 5:04 AM

Shambles Bank said:
If it's a completely legit licence from Microsoft you're after, then buy it direct from Microsoft online at GBP219.99 for Windows 11 Pro if you're in the UK, or USD199.99 from the US Microsoft website.

Crikey!

Shambles Bank · Tuesday at 5:09 AM

I refer you to my first post.

At the end of the day, it's up to you. I'm not advising or telling you what you should do or think.

What I would do however, is another matter entirely.

z3r010 · Tuesday at 5:13 AM

The Stack Social keys mentioned above are cheap and have worked well for me and other members of the site.

Quandary · Tuesday at 7:46 AM

Two purchase from StackSocial here in the past month. Both verified and activated with Microsoft. Great price.

NormanF · Tuesday at 8:09 AM

Most PCs come with a digital licence bound to a Microsoft account. In most cases, it will be Pro. If you need another level like Pro for Workstations, Education or LTSC, you will need to buy and activate a new licence.

jwent333 · Tuesday at 8:11 AM

I have bought about 15 or so Windows Pro keys from Pc Sales Online over the last 7 or so years, never had an issue and they have excellent customer support if you have any issue activating it.

Jeff

telepro21 · Tuesday at 8:12 AM

From an elevated Command Prompt, (Run as Administrator), execute the following command: slmgr /dli
After execution, a pop-up dialog box will show you exactly the type of license you have. For example, my result is attached. Depending on what your result states, you can then choose which direction to go for Activation or a new license. NOTE: A license that returns the result RETAIL, is one that is typically purchased direct from Microsoft, as mine was when I built my PC.

Shambles Bank · Tuesday at 8:12 AM

NormanF said:
Most PCs come with a digital licence bound to a Microsoft account. In most cases, it will be Pro. If you need another level like Pro for Workstations, Education or LTSC, you will need to buy and activate a new licence.

Obviously if you build your own PC, then they don't and you have to purchase a licence. This is where the likes of outlets already mentioned come in very useful.

NormanF · Tuesday at 8:17 AM

Shambles Bank said:
Obviously if you build your own PC, then they don't and you have to purchase a licence. This is where the likes of outlets already mentioned come in very useful.

Yes. OEM PCs have Windows preinstalled and entry level PCs will have Home. Premium PCs and high end workstations will have Pro. A licence is bound to a user account.

BarryGuff · Tuesday at 8:20 AM

@telepro21: It's interesting (or concerning?) that my partial product key is the same as yours ("3V66T"). Attached is my screenshot.

Shambles Bank · Tuesday at 8:26 AM

After seeing that, I just checked my own. It isn't the same as yours!

Licence question.

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