Windows 10: How to tell if Windows 10 license is OEM, Retail or Volume (MAK/KMS)

We all have heard about Windows Keys all the time. This Product Key activates Windows on your computer so you can use it without any limitation. There are multiple places from where you can buy a Windows key. It can [...]

This post How to tell if Windows 10 license is OEM, Retail or Volume (MAK/KMS) is from TheWindowsClub.com.

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Windows 10 Pro Retail or OEM or Volume License

Hi Raju,

This is an interesting topic. If the last three letters of your Product ID ends with
OEM, then your license was issued by manufacturer. These type of licenses cannot be transferred to another computer because it is tied up with the device itself. Otherwise, if it doesn't end with OEM, your copy of Windows is from a retail merchant.
These licenses can be transferred to another computer. Unless your device was issued by your company, or from an organization, then it could have been activated under Volume licensing.

To be sure, check the type of license you that you have by following these steps:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type slmgr -dli and press Enter.
• It will show you a pop up box telling you what type of license you are using.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

go from the oem to the volume licensing

Do your machines travel a lot?

Meaning will they be possibly off network for more than 100 days?

If so, then use the MAK volume licensing.

If not then use the KMS volume licensing.

MAK is a one time activation therefore it is good as long as the operating system is installed. But you can't recycle the licenses.

KMS is a server that runs on your network that activates the devices. And the devices will reactivate every 180 days. Therefore, you can recycle licenses.

We always use KMS for desktops and MAK for mobile devices.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/licensing/produ...

 

Windows 10 Pro Retail or OEM or Volume License

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I am not a Tech Savvy hence unable to understand how to access command prompt on newly installed Windows 10 Pro. I am still learning & getting adapted on Windows 10 features.

I had asked the dealer to install either retail or OEM version of 64 Bit Windows 10 on my PC.

Product ID is: 00331-10000-00001-AA575

Can you please guide me now whether it is:

1. Windows 10 Pro Retail

2. Windows 10 OEM

3. Windows 10 Volume License.

Immediately upon installation, I asked the dealer why OEM alphabets are not there in the product ID to which he said that for Windows 10 edition OEM alphabets are not used.

When I contacted Microsoft chat support team for seeking help on Windows 10 updates, the team said my product is volume license hence I should contact volume license team. It was shock of disbelief for me to know instead of OEM whether the dealer has installed
volume license version.

I would appreciate your prompt response to above.

Thanks and regards