Purchasing a new windows 10 or 11 license for a new PC build

Forums › Desktop computing › Purchasing a new windows 10 or 11 license for a new PC build

mattwnz

20561 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4822

#310716 16-Nov-2023 01:29

I was wondering what the most affordable way to buy a windows 10 or 11 license was these days when building a new PC. I used to just get an OEM licnese and DVD with the PC company I purchased the hardware from. However it looks like you can save a lot by buying a license online. eg PC WOrld even sell OEM licenses such as at https://software.pcworld.com/p43717-windows_10_professional . Anyone got any suggestions on the best way and most affordable way to buy a legit license of windows.

mentalinc

3403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1035

Trusted

#3160038 16-Nov-2023 07:32

How you define "legit" is the question.

Legit is the price you pay from a computer store in NZ.

The one you linked are legit in that they will activate windows and work fine, but fit more in the grey market. They are reselling OEM licences - https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/EU-court-legalises-second-hand-software

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

Qazzy03

550 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 497

#3160040 16-Nov-2023 07:39

I have used "gray market" keys for a couple of friends/family builds and they have always been fine.
I always do a bit of digging on the site /reseller but price was usually between $20-30 NZD.

My personal O/S I brought was way back as a student with the univeristy, they and Microsoft often can have deals if you are studying.

This is from Microsoft themselves:
"With the exception of Product Key Cards (PKC’s) distributed with COA’s, Microsoft does not distribute products keys as standalone products."

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Shop.aspx

So I am not sure if PC World is any better than a grey market seller or has a deal with Microsoft? Microsoft themselves makes it hard to figure out who their official partners are.

eonsim

405 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 192

Trusted

#3160051 16-Nov-2023 08:18

I've also gone with some of the key resellers before often saving ~$100. At the end of the day it is a legitimate key that Microsoft has received some money from. Just without the higher income country 'tax' slapped on the top. I'm not a fan of the approach we'll charge person A x, person B y, and C z. Just because they appear to live in different places...

cruxis

514 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 349

#3160057 16-Nov-2023 08:36

I just grab them from a link from a sponser of a tech youtube channel I like to support for a discount, they are always spamming them.

Sites like VIP-scdkey.com

jjnz1

1371 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 195

Lifetime subscriber

#3160060 16-Nov-2023 08:46

I use Keysfan dot com. My chat conversations with MS say its a genuine product licence. Only $10.25 USD for Windows 11 Pro 1 PC with 62% off. I have purchased lots of these and other MS products.

I did read somewhere, that these licences are OEM licences resold when corporations install their own enterprise licence on the hardware, a process backed by the EU Courts.

DimasikTurbo

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

ID Verified

#3160132 16-Nov-2023 13:04

I bought windows 10 pro key twice on ebay with instant delivery by email. Around 12-14 NZD each time.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

gbwelly

1264 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 777

Subscriber

#3160220 16-Nov-2023 16:53

Lots of suggestions, weird how much pearl clutching happened when I suggested buying Office from Techspot, and yet this thread seems to keep on trucking with even shadier sounding sites.

1101

3145 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1149

#3161746 20-Nov-2023 19:49

Quote "legit license of windows"

There is only 1 legit option.
Go to a store. pay full retail.

Any other option is NOT legit , and will in some way be breaking MS's T&C's .
Will it work: yes. Is it legit : no. Could it be deactivated or blocked in the future :yes (had it happen to a customer we sold these dodgy keys to)

Activation does not mean you have a valid legit lic : thats from MS themselves.

cddt

2050 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1982

#3161753 20-Nov-2023 20:33

A lot of people who don't care about the CGA will buy a product from an online store overseas that's cheaper than a local shop. E.g. HDDs from Amazon.

I don't see how activation keys are much different.

eonsim

405 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 192

Trusted

#3161757 20-Nov-2023 20:52

1101:

Quote "legit license of windows"

There is only 1 legit option.
Go to a store. pay full retail.

Any other option is NOT legit , and will in some way be breaking MS's T&C's .
Will it work: yes. Is it legit : no. Could it be deactivated or blocked in the future :yes (had it happen to a customer we sold these dodgy keys to)

Activation does not mean you have a valid legit lic : thats from MS themselves.

You do realize NZ has legislation allowing parallel importing? It is legal in NZ to buy products sold overseas at lower prices and bring them into the country and even resell them...

jjnz1

1371 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 195

Lifetime subscriber

#3161809 21-Nov-2023 07:20

1101:
Quote "legit license of windows"

There is only 1 legit option.
Go to a store. pay full retail.

Any other option is NOT legit , and will in some way be breaking MS's T&C's .
Will it work: yes. Is it legit : no. Could it be deactivated or blocked in the future :yes (had it happen to a customer we sold these dodgy keys to)

Activation does not mean you have a valid legit lic : thats from MS themselves.

This advice is incorrect.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

SpartanVXL

1529 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 675

#3161906 21-Nov-2023 09:57

Why are people saying to go to a retail store as the only (direct) option? You can simply install without a key and then login with a MS account and buy a licence off the built-in store app. Sure it’s still expensive compared to getting it from a key seller, but you can’t get more legit than the horse’s mouth (or rear depending on your opinion of MS).