Windows 11 Pro Product Key help

very_452001 · Jan 30, 2024

Hi,

I have Windows 11 Pro Cd Key Retail Microsoft Global.

Used it once last year for 64-bit desktop computer. That computer still in use.

Now on my 64-bit laptop > Windows settings > Activation, I input this same key and it allows me to continue & start the upgrade of my edition of my current windows 11 home message on screen.

Questions:

- Will it work and will it be 64-bit or 32-bit?

cereberus · Jan 30, 2024

very_452001 said:
Hi,

I have Windows 11 Pro Cd Key Retail Microsoft Global.

Used it once last year for 64-bit desktop computer. That computer still in use.

Now on my 64-bit laptop > Windows settings > Activation, I input this same key and it allows me to continue & start the upgrade of my edition of my current windows 11 home message on screen.

Questions:

- Will it work and will it be 64-bit or 32-bit?

The key is independent of bit type.

Note - you are violating the EULA if you use the same key on 2 pcs and you run the risk of key eventually being blocked.

very_452001 · Jan 30, 2024

cereberus said:
The key is independent of bit type.

Note - you are violating the EULA if you use the same key on 2 pcs and you run the risk of key eventually being blocked.

On Microsoft website it says you can have both 32-bit and 64-bit at the same time.

Then why Windows allowing me to continue with the upgrade then if it Violates EULA?

bobkn · Jan 30, 2024

Windows 11 is 64 bit only. (There was a 32 bit version of Windows 10.)

Installation is one thing. Activation is another. Seems like you could have a problem activating it on the laptop. but maybe it'll take anyway.

hsehestedt · Jan 30, 2024

very_452001 said:
Then why Windows allowing me to continue with the upgrade then if it Violates EULA?

You can upgrade without an activation key. The real question is whether it will actually activate

cereberus · Jan 30, 2024

very_452001 said:
On Microsoft website it says you can have both 32-bit and 64-bit at the same time.

Then why Windows allowing me to continue with the upgrade then if it Violates EULA?

Windows has always been lenient, basically an honour system - just because you can do it does not make it right. The point is if a key is used too many times, it can get blocked, and you may not be able to use it on another pc in the future.

You can install 32bit and 64bit at same time, but technically you need a licence per installation but due to vagaries of digital licences, you cannot actually meet this EULA requirement (long story).

Having two installations on one pc does not break the spirit of the EULA i.e. one instance of Windows running with one licence, as you can only run one OS at same time on host pc.

That is different to having a copy on 2 pcs, as you could run two instances of the OS at same time from a single licence. This is essentially piracy, and this forum is not allowed to encourage piracy.

bobkn · Jan 30, 2024

I repeat: there is no 32 bit version of Windows 11.

Windows 10 was available in both X86 and X64.

Wynona · Jan 30, 2024

very_452001 said:
Hi,

I have Windows 11 Pro Cd Key Retail Microsoft Global.

Used it once last year for 64-bit desktop computer. That computer still in use.

Now on my 64-bit laptop > Windows settings > Activation, I input this same key and it allows me to continue & start the upgrade of my edition of my current windows 11 home message on screen.

Questions:

- Will it work and will it be 64-bit or 32-bit?

Are you upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11? If so, that upgrade is free, so you shouldn't need a key. Just tell it you don't have a key.

I'm not sure, but I don't think Windows 11 comes in a 32 bit version, so your install should be 64 bit.

idgat · Jan 30, 2024

very_452001 said:
On Microsoft website it says you can have both 32-bit and 64-bit at the same time.

Citation? Quote URL.

hsehestedt · Jan 30, 2024

Just for clarification...

A Windows 10 key is equivalent to a Windows 11 key. The same key can be used for EITHER Win 10 or 11. The confusion regarding 32-bit vs 64-bit may arise from the fact that Win 10 is available in both 32-bit (x86) as well as 64-bit (x64). The same license key can be used for either x86 or x64 on Win 10 or x64 on Win 11 (since there is no x86 for Win 11).

Put another way, the same key can install any one of the following:

Win 10 32-bit (x86)
Win 10 64-bit (x64)
Win 11 64-bit (x64)

The only difference in keys is which EDITION of Windows it allows you to install. Each edition has its own key. Editions are Home, Pro, Education, etc. In addition, the volume license versions have a whole different set of keys.

very_452001 · Jan 31, 2024

cereberus said:
Windows has always been lenient, basically an honour system - just because you can do it does not make it right. The point is if a key is used too many times, it can get blocked, and you may not be able to use it on another pc in the future.

You can install 32bit and 64bit at same time, but technically you need a licence per installation but due to vagaries of digital licences, you cannot actually meet this EULA requirement (long story).

Having two installations on one pc does not break the spirit of the EULA i.e. one instance of Windows running with one licence, as you can only run one OS at same time on host pc.

That is different to having a copy on 2 pcs, as you could run two instances of the OS at same time from a single licence. This is essentially piracy, and this forum is not allowed to encourage piracy.

Hi I have retail key not the OEM key.

Does it mean it will work?

glasskuter · Jan 31, 2024

I am forever amazed what folks will attempt to do to knowingly break EULAs. Why not buy a PRO license for $40 for the laptop and not risk having activation issues on both machines?

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro | StackSocial

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

www.stacksocial.com

very_452001 · Jan 31, 2024

Retail key means I can use it on more than 1 computer and OEM key means just 1 computer?

cereberus · Jan 31, 2024

very_452001 said:
Hi I have retail key not the OEM key.

Does it mean it will work?

Retail just means licence is transferable. It does not give you the right to use same key on multiple pcs at the same time.

Any discussion saying you can is against the rules of this forum.

glasskuter · Jan 31, 2024

very_452001 said:
Retail key means I can use it on more than 1 computer

Wrong. @cereberus is correct in his answer.

very_452001 · Jan 31, 2024

cereberus said:
Retail just means licence is transferable. It does not give you the right to use same key on multiple pcs at the same time.

Any discussion saying you can is against the rules of this forum.

Okay when you say transferable, do you mean its gets deactivated on the old computer and activated on the new computer?

bobkn · Feb 1, 2024

very_452001 said:
Okay when you say transferable, do you mean its gets deactivated on the old computer and activated on the new computer?

Honor system.

There is no explicit de-activation.

very_452001 · Feb 1, 2024

bobkn said:
Honor system.

There is no explicit de-activation.

Sorry what do you mean by Honor?

bobkn · Feb 1, 2024

very_452001 said:
Sorry what do you mean by Honor?

Pretty much the common meaning in the English language.

Definition of HONOR SYSTEM

a system (as at a college) whereby persons are trusted to abide by the regulations (as for a code of conduct) without supervision or surveillance… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

You are supposed to remove Windows from the old machine, but there is no enforcement of that. The only consequence that I know of is that Microsoft's activation servers may refuse to allow a key to activate a new installation.

very_452001 · Feb 1, 2024

Wynona said:
Are you upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11? If so, that upgrade is free, so you shouldn't need a key. Just tell it you don't have a key.

I'm not sure, but I don't think Windows 11 comes in a 32 bit version, so your install should be 64 bit.

Windows 11 Home to Pro