Tech

Windows 11 will cost more, Microsoft wants to end OEM keys

Microsoft could end the sale of Windows OEM keys. These keys, usually reserved for PC manufacturers, are regularly found on sale at unbeatable prices on the web. According to the former editor of Canard PC Hardware, the Redmond firm is seeking to set up a system for verifying the origin of the keys.

microsoft windows oem key
Credits: Unsplash

You have probably taken advantage of this when buying a used or new PC without an operating system. Rather than paying €100 or €150 to get an official Windows activation key, users have become accustomed to throwing themselves at Windows OEM keys.

These keys, normally reserved for manufacturers to include the OS in their laptop or desktop PCs, are regularly found on sale on specialized e-commerce sites at unbeatable prices. You can easily find activation keys between 10 and 20 €. For the consumer, the choice is quickly made. Especially since he is in his right.

This is not the case for resellers. Indeed, resale of OEM keys is not authorized by Microsoft. However, and according to the former editor-in-chief of Duck PC Hardware Samuel Demeulemeester alias Doc TB, the Redmond firm intends to remedy the problem. According to his information, the American company is currently working on a key origin verification system.

Also read: Windows 11 – it is no longer possible to buy a license, a first in 36 years of existence

microsoft windows oem key
Credits: Doc TB via Twitter

Microsoft could stop the resale of Windows OEM keys

Today, most of these $10 licenses are hijacked OEM keys. If tomorrow, these keys can only be activated after verification of the concordance between the equipment of the machine provided by the original OEM and that of the machine which seeks to activate, it is the end”. he wrote on Twitter.

To summarize, Microsoft’s idea is as follows: assign each OEM key a fingerprint corresponding to the device for which it is originally intended. With such a system, Microsoft would be able to authorize the activation of a Windows 10 or Windows 11 key only if there is a match between the OEM key and the original hardware. And by extension, the American giant put a definitive end to the resale of OEM keys on the Web.

It should be noted, however, that we do not yet know whether this protocol would be retroactive. Anyway and if this measure actually sees the light of day, users will have no choice but to go through official channels to obtain a Windows activation key. And to pay a much larger sum.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *