23 April 2019

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Explained How to check Windows 10 License Type Is it Retail or OEM or Volume

 Tuesday, 23 April, 2019
 Explained Win 10 License Type Know How to check Windows 10 License Is it Retail or Volume or OEM
This article will explain you in easy language how to know type of windows 10 pc license which you have

This article will also help you if you are planning to buy new windows 10 license.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of Windows 10 licenses and how to know your Windows 10’s license type?

Mainly there are 3 types of licenses for Windows 10

1-Retail
2-OEM
3-Volume

1-Understand the meaning of Windows 10 Retail License?
Retail, product keys are what the customer gets when he buys a Full Packaged Product (FPP), commonly known as a "boxed copy", of Windows from a retail merchant or purchases Windows online from the Microsoft Store.

The term "retail" used in licensing has nothing to do with how the user purchases Windows, however, but refers to certain rights granted by retail licenses.

A retail license may be transferred to another computer so long as the number of computers licensed does not exceed the licensing limit.  In most cases, the limit is one.

Some retail licenses are not-for-resale.  Licenses obtained from a subscription such as MSDN, TechNet, BizSpark, and complimentary copies are not-for-resale.

Subscription and complimentary licenses are transferrable to a new computer by the subscriber/recipient only.  They may not be transferred with a computer that changes ownership.  Such licenses are classified as "retail" because, unlike OEM licenses, they are transferrable to a different computer.

Retail licenses may be either Upgrade licenses or Full Rights licenses.  Microsoft uses "upgrade" to mean both an installation methodology and a licensing right.

Don't confuse the two meanings.  As a licensing right "upgrade" means that the customer is given credit (residual value) for the old Windows license because it is being superseded by the new upgrade license.  Upgrade licenses are sold at a reduced price compared to the Full Rights license for this reason.  However, the user must own a previous Windows license qualifying for the upgrade in order to take advantage of the reduced price.  Further, the user may not re-use the old, superseded license.

Full Rights retail licenses do not supersede a preceding license regardless of how the software is installed.

In short Windows 10 Retail license is not specific to any PC and can be transferred from one PC to another. That is, you can remove Windows 10 from one PC and install and activate it on another computer.

2-Understand OEM Windows 10 License
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) license is used by PC manufacturers to offer Windows 10 preinstalled on their computers.
OEM license cannot be transferred from one computer to another.
These days, OEM product keys are embedded in the BIOS/UEFI firmware to avoid license theft.
If the OEM PC came preinstalled with Windows 10, then the product key will be embedded in the UEFI firmware chip.

OEM SLP and COA SLP product keys, are issued by large computer manufacturers and use SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) technology to bind the license to the original motherboard via the BIOS and software.

The OEM SLP keys self-activate if the corresponding data in the BIOS is correct.  OEM SLP keys, which the user can read in the MGADiag report or software like KeyFinder, cannot be used by the end user to manually activate Windows.

The COA SLP key is printed on a sticker affixed to the side of the computer case (desktops), or on the bottom of the case (laptops), or in the battery compartment (newer laptops).  This is the key for the user to enter manually should he need to activate Windows himself.

- OEM System Builder, product keys are for use by smaller system builders, computer shops, consultants, and others who provide computers and services to their customers.

A system builder is defined by the System Builder license as "an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, a refurbisher, or a software pre-installer that sells the Customer System(s) to a third party."

A person who builds a computer for his own use or for friends and family is not a system builder as defined by the System Builder license.  The correct license for these cases is Retail.

OEM keys are not-for-resale and may not be transferred to another computer.  They may, however, be transferred with the computer if the computer is transferred to new ownership.

3-Understand Volume Windows 10 License
KMS Client and Volume MAK product keys, are volume license keys that are not-for-resale.  They are issued by organizations for use on client computers associated in some way with the organization.  Volume license keys may not be transferred with the computer if the computer changes ownership.

A volume license key (VLK) denotes the product key used when installing software licensed in bulk, which allows a single product key to be used for multiple installations. For example, the Windows Enterprise edition is activated with a volume license key.


Now Learn to Check the Windows 10 License type

How to check the windows 10 pc license?
If Windows 10 is installed on your computer, you might be curious to know the type of Windows 10 license you have on your PC.

Here is How to check windows 10 license type?

1 – Open Command Prompt - Open the Command Prompt by typing CMD in the Start/taskbar search field and hitting Enter.

2-At the Command Prompt window, type the following command and then press Enter key.

Slmgr –dli or slmgr/dli

Both commands work. You can use any one of the command mentioned above.

Pressing the Enter key will open the Windows Script Host dialog, in that dialogue you will see the Windows 10 license type.

If you are using a retail license, you will see the RETAIL word instead of OEM. VOLUME word will show up if the license type is volume.

The dialog also displays the partial product key and current activation status.

Below are the screen shots

















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