Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume  

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    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume

    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume

    How to Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume
    Published by Category: Installation & Upgrade
    27 Oct 2019
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume


    When it comes to purchasing licenses for Windows there are a number of different channels that you can purchase through. The most common license types are Retail (FPP (Full Packaged Product)), OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), and Volume Licensing. Each Windows license type confers rights and imposes restrictions based on the Microsoft Software License Terms.

    This tutorial will show you how to determine if your Windows is activated with a Retail, OEM, or Volume channel license type.

    For more information, see: Licensing Logic: Whats the difference between OEM, Retail and Volume Licenses? | Microsoft Industry Blog


    License Type Description
    Retail This when you buy 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. Product keys can be transferred to another PC.
    OEM Product keys are issued by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and 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. If the OEM PC came preinstalled with Windows 8 or Windows 10, then the product key will be embedded in the UEFI firmware chip.
    Volume 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. This form of licensing typically applies for business, government and educational institutions, with prices for volume licensing varying depending on the type, quantity and applicable subscription-term. 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.



    Here's How:

    1 Open a command prompt.

    2 Type the slmgr -dli command into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume-slmgr_dli_command.png

    3 After a short moment, a Windows Script Host dialog will open to show you what license type your Windows is using. (see screenshots below)

    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume-retail_activation.png
    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume-oem_activation.jpg
    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume-volume-activation.png


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 7
    7 x64 Ultimate / Win10 Pro / Stephenson's Rocket / Lindows (yep) /
       #1

    Alternate(s)


    Highlight this: slmgr.vbs -dli Then do A or B below:

    A:
    Press Ctrl+C
    Press Key+R
    Press Ctrl+V
    Hit Enter


    B:
    Right-Click the highlighted command and select 'Copy'
    Press and release the Key OR Click the Icon on the Taskbar
    Press Ctrl+V
    Hit Enter


    Same end result, different entrance.
    (Addding the '.vbs' extension allows it to be run directly minus the console(?).)

    (Could just be my wacky system too... In that case, YMMV!!)

    Opinion Incoming:
    Brink et al., I think EVERY Micro-Soft™©® "agent/rep/programmer/associate/affiliate/help-desk-jockey/..." should be required to obtain, at a minimum, a B+ (Old-School A-F scale) on a seven/eight/tenforums.com +Cert. Program before ever touching a power button or initiating a 'Remote Assistance Session'...
    Keep up the good fight!!
    Last edited by Brink; 28 Aug 2017 at 10:53. Reason: removed broken images
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 15,426
    Windows10
       #2

    Problem with this, it does not do anything for telling status of digital licences from a 7/8 upgrade, as you only get a generic 10 key.

    According to EULA, upgrade gets same status as original install, but it is well established that you cannot (as far as we know) tell the history of a digital licence - this is why transferring digital licences to a new device works regardless of compliance with EULA.

    In reality, digital licences have blurred the boundary between oem and standalone.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #3

    Product keys are issued by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and 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. If the OEM PC came preinstalled with Windows 8 or Windows 10, then the product key will be embedded in the UEFI firmware chip.
    You can also buy an OEM license from Newegg for example. Many people do as it is cheaper than full retail even though according to the EULA it is only intended for new build PCs you intend to sell. It still has the transfer restrictions of a built in license but in that case the key isn't embedded in firmware.

    I think a distinction between OEM license you can buy and OEM license that comes preinstalled on a new Dell/Lenovo etc would help this tutorial.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #4

    cereberus said:
    transferring digital licences to a new device works regardless of compliance with EULA.
    It works in reality, but is it legal?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #5

    Matthew Wai said:
    It works in reality, but is it legal?
    No-one can answer you that question. If you acquired it in Germany it is (Germany is even listed as an exception in the MS EULA if you read it). Elsewhere it hasn't been tested in court so anyone's opinion would be just an opinion not a fact.

    You should let your conscience guide you. Assuming you know what is morally right and what is wrong you try to do the right thing. If you do then probably everyone will be happy.

    If you are asking if it is morally right to transfer a license you bought as OEM then I'd say yes it is as MS would stop it if they wanted to so implicitly you are complying with their wishes. Many would disagree. Discussion of morality isn't really constructive in an IT tutorial though so it is probably best to leave it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    @Brink,

    slmgr -dli cannot be used to determine the type of license Windows 10 was activated with originally. For example:

    Determine if Windows License Type is OEM, Retail, or Volume-capture.jpg

    Is my license OEM or is it Retail? There are many processes that will result in the Generic Windows 10 retail product key being installed with Windows 10 and that will always activate on the retail channel regardless of if the original license for Windows 10 was OEM or retail.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    NavyLCDR said:
    @Brink,

    slmgr -dli cannot be used to determine the type of license Windows 10 was activated with originally. For example:

    Is my license OEM or is it Retail? There are many processes that will result in the Generic Windows 10 retail product key being installed with Windows 10 and that will always activate on the retail channel regardless of if the original license for Windows 10 was OEM or retail.
    Hello John,

    It should show you what it currently is.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    Brink said:
    Hello John,

    It should show you what it currently is.
    So, are you saying that the license type for Windows 10 on a computer can change from OEM to Retail? If I purchase an OEM product key for a new computer and install and activate Windows with it, then I just change the product key to the generic retail product key, that my OEM license becomes Retail?

    Or, if I purchase an off-the-shelf computer system with a factory load of Windows 10 activated with the product key stored in UEFI (BIOS) firmware, and I just change the product key to the generic retail product key, that my OEM license becomes Retail?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    NavyLCDR said:
    So, are you saying that the license type for Windows 10 on a computer can change from OEM to Retail? If I purchase an OEM product key for a new computer and install and activate Windows with it, then I just change the product key to the generic retail product key, that my OEM license becomes Retail?

    Or, if I purchase an off-the-shelf computer system with a factory load of Windows 10 activated with the product key stored in UEFI (BIOS) firmware, and I just change the product key to the generic retail product key, that my OEM license becomes Retail?
    It will only show the license type of how it is currently activated.
      My Computers


 

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