Windows 10: Windows 10 upgrade applied to OEM key instead of retail key.

Discus and support Windows 10 upgrade applied to OEM key instead of retail key. in Windows 10 Updates and Activation to solve the problem; I just purchased the "upgrade to windows 10 pro" for $100 on the Microsoft store, and during the process had to put in an activation key. After... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Updates and Activation' started by macmacmac8942809o24890412, May 23, 2020.

  1. Windows 10 upgrade applied to OEM key instead of retail key.


    I just purchased the "upgrade to windows 10 pro" for $100 on the Microsoft store, and during the process had to put in an activation key. After purchasing the upgrade, I was upset to learn that it applied the upgrade to an OEM copy of windows that I am running on my computer instead of the retail activation key that I provided.


    My concern is that if I want to install windows 10 pro on a new machine down the road, I won't be able to.


    What is the best course of action, should I just ask for a refund on the upgrade or should I attempt to get support to swap the upgrade from my OEM to my retail key.


    Thanks

    :)
     
    macmacmac8942809o24890412, May 23, 2020
    #1
  2. OneMoar Win User

    my windows 10 oem didn't come with a product key

    indeed OEM's have embedded keys a OEM upgrade is for machines with OEM copies and DO NOT COME WITH A KEY! sadly many vendors confuse the two because pre-windows 10 'OEM" came with a key
    a end user should always buy a Retail OR "System builder OEM" copy when it comes to windows 10 system builder is not `OEM` you can blame microsoft for the retarded terminology screw up

    it sounds like the op bought a pirated copy with no key microsoft does not ship windows 10 on optical disks .... they use flash drives
     
    OneMoar, May 23, 2020
    #2
  3. taz420nj Win User
    my windows 10 oem didn't come with a product key

    LOL yes they do. Legit OEM copies DO come with a key - on a sticker that you affix to the case. OEM and SLP (System Locked Preactivation) are NOT the same thing. SLP is what large OEMs like Dell, HP, etc do, where every system came out of the factory activated with the same "Manufacturer's Master" key in XP, Vista, and 7. Reinstalling with the factory image preserves this activation. However if you dig that key out with Magical Jellybean and try to do a clean install with it, activation will fail. That's why every machine that came out of a factory ALSO had a COA with a unique key. That is what you need to use for a clean install. Starting with 8, large OEMs began embedding the unique key into the BIOS, which is why they no longer come with a unique key sticker. However, you can still buy legit OEM versions of every version (the ones that small shops would use for their custom machines) - including 10 - which come with the sticker with a unique key.

    The only differences between OEM and Retail versions is that the OEM version locks to the first motherboard it is activated on, while Retail can be moved to a different one. OEM also come with no support.
     
    taz420nj, May 23, 2020
    #3
  4. Caring1 Win User

    Windows 10 upgrade applied to OEM key instead of retail key.

    Windows 7 OEM key

    Generally the upgrade has to be done first, before a clean install can be done, and it's not really relevant to transferring the key to another system.
     
    Caring1, May 23, 2020
    #4
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Windows 10 upgrade applied to OEM key instead of retail key.

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