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win10 oem
Purchaced a OEM DVD of win10 --I am not sure what to look for when looking for the product code. I am accustomed to seeing 4 sets of 5 numbers but do not see the set on this package.
Purchaced a OEM DVD of win10 --I am not sure what to look for when looking for the product code. I am accustomed to seeing 4 sets of 5 numbers but do not see the set on this package.
An OEM DVD can be used to recover your present PC to it's orig state. It may also incl optional mfr software and drivers. It's key is tied to your orig device and can't be used on another one, thus no product key. If you bought a retail Win 10 DVD, it would have a key that can be installed on one device at any given time, thus transferable.
That is incorrect.
When buying valid OEM or System Builder version of Windows 10 from a respectable vendor, it comes with a product key (like this one) and can be used to clean install Windows 10 to a new PC that has never had any version of Windows installed.
The difference to Retail version is that the license is not transferable; when once activated on certain hardware it can only be used on same hardware.
In OP's case, if the DVD is genuine and vendor honest, it's the vendor who should provide the product key. As far as I have understood genuine Windows 10 is only available as software download or USB, the OEM and retail boxes only containing the product key or in case of USB also the install media.
In genuine Windows 10 OEM boxes product key sticker is clearly visible.
Kari
Sorry if I misunderstood the op's post. I was under the impression that by OEM, he meant the recovery dvd, a hard copy of the recovery drive which would be wiped in a clean install or if he made a usb copy.
I recently purchased this item from this retailer:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ome_10_64.html
The DVD arrived in a legitimate-looking envelope with a COA sticker, red warning tape with text saying (if you open this envelope you agree to the license terms... blah, blah) etc.
However nowhere on the outer envelope or on the inner envelope can I find a product key. There are several bar codes with numeric codes under them. Is one of those the product key? In all my past Windows purchases the product key is blatantly displayed on a yellow sticker with bold letters proclaiming "PRODUCT KEY". That sort of sticker is not present on my product.
Any ideas?
EDIT: I found another thread online with this image of the COA sticker:
My disc came with that sticker, but the product key is covered with some scratch-off gray stuff to hide it. DUH. There's even a little "key" icon next to it. Double-DUH. Nowhere does it say "product key" like it used to though. :)
Due to my involvement in Photography I am well aware of B&H Photovideo, The largest independent Photo/Tech store in the USA. If you have any issues or concerns - Contact them and they should sort the issue out quickly
I agree with Barman58. B&H Photovideo is an extremely reputable large retailer with a huge physical store in New York City.
From reading the OP's edit it appears that the Product key was present all the time, but protected against someone using it, (or selling the key online), by use of a scratch off panel - as is used in a lot of areas these days.
It seems that the old method of printing the key on the outside of the packaging with an obvious label ( that might have well said "Steal Me" rather than "Product Key") has been replaced with a method more appropriate to today's realities :)