OEM vs Retail Windows keys

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).

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.

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.