Windows 11 Pro Product Key help

very_452001 · Feb 1, 2024

bobkn said:
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.

Okay I think I fully understand now many thanks.

Berton · Feb 1, 2024

very_452001 said:
Retail key means I can use it on more than 1 computer and OEM key means just 1 computer?

The EULA allows OEM only on the computer it came with and the Retail can be put on a Replacement computer but not both at the same time. System Builder keys were pretty much the same as OEM when I was building computers in a shop.

klazzarus · Feb 9, 2024

Windows check activation status every 30 days, so if you have the same OEM key on 2 computers, one of them will lose the activation and you will have the code error 0xC004C008 if you try to use the key again,

NavyLCDR · Feb 11, 2024

klazzarus said:
Windows check activation status every 30 days, so if you have the same OEM key on 2 computers, one of them will lose the activation and you will have the code error 0xC004C008 if you try to use the key again,

There is zero truth to that.

hsehestedt · Feb 11, 2024

NavyLCDR is correct. Only volume license editions require periodic licensing checks.

MisterEd · Feb 12, 2024

hsehestedt said:
NavyLCDR is correct. Only volume license editions require periodic licensing checks.

Don't you mean Windows activated with KMS volume license keys?
That's probably not done for Windows activated with MAK volume license keys.

BTW, I have a laptop with Windows 10 Pro that was activated with a MAK volume license key. And yes it is legal.