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· 5 min de lectura· Actualizada el 2026-03-18

OEM vs Retail Windows keys

OEM Windows keys are cheap but tied to one motherboard. Retail keys are transferable. Here's exactly what changes and which you should buy.

  • Windows 11
  • Licensing
  • Retail

The functional difference

An OEM key is permanently tied to the first motherboard it activates against. Replace the motherboard and the activation dies. You'd need to buy another key.

A Retail key is transferable. Move it to a new PC by deactivating it on the old one (or letting Microsoft auto-detect the hardware change after a Microsoft account sign-in).

PropertyOEMRetail
Transferable to a new PCNoYes
Microsoft direct supportNoYes
Tied to motherboardYesNo
Hardware-change recoveryManual call to MS, often refusedAuto via Microsoft account
Typical street price (Win 11 Pro)€7–€15€18–€30
Volume use in businessAllowed only on builder hardwareAllowed anywhere

Price and support

OEM keys are cheaper because Microsoft sells them at a discount to system builders, with the catch that Microsoft will not support them directly — support is the OEM's responsibility (you).

Retail keys come with Microsoft direct support and a higher price tag.

OEM at a glance

Pros

  • Lowest sticker price
  • Identical feature set to Retail
  • Activates instantly

Cons

  • Locked to one motherboard for life
  • No Microsoft support
  • Often disabled by Microsoft when resold

Which should you buy here?

All Windows keys we sell are Retail. Lifetime activation, transferable to a new PC, full Microsoft account binding available.

We deliberately don't stock OEM keys — the savings aren't worth the activation lock-in for most customers.

Preguntas frecuentes

Can I move an OEM key from a dead PC?
Officially no. Microsoft binds OEM keys to the first motherboard hardware ID. In practice you can sometimes call MS support and explain — they may re-activate once, but it's not guaranteed.
Is a Retail key the same as a 'Full Packaged Product' (FPP) key?
Yes. FPP is Microsoft's internal term for the boxed Retail SKU. Same activation rights, just delivered electronically.

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