Can I use an old Windows 11 Home OEM key on this same computer if I later switch to Pro so I can go back down to Home?
Can I use an old Windows 11 Home OEM key on this same computer if I later switch to Pro so I can go back down to Home?
I just got a Windows 11 Pro key, but I'm worried about how reliable it is so I want to keep an option to change plans if this one stops working or runs out. I want to write down my original key and maybe use it later in case I need to switch to another version. Technically, does that not break the rules since I'm using it on my own machine?
If you bought this as a separate key code, you should probably be okay. If you got an upgrade code though, maybe that isn't true. You might want to check if that key is linked to your Microsoft account and then delete it before installing the pro version. I'm not sure what role hardware ID could have here.
Did you buy the key? If you got it from Microsoft or a big store that sells computers, then don't worry about it working well. But if you got it anywhere else, like eBay or Kinguin, I wouldn't even try to use the key. About OEM licenses: they stick to the computer where you activated it. No matter which license number is on there, you can't move the key to a different PC.
I find it funny how many YT influencers have suddenly changed their minds. Back a couple of years ago, very few would suggest using a grey market key. Then everyone else got angry at that reviewer. But now, lots of those same people are getting paid to sell the keys and give discount codes. They even go so far as to pretend they are calling "MS" just to look good about it. MS knows what's happening, but right now they seem more focused on stealing user data from all these people than collecting money for their license. It shows that having your phone track you is way more valuable than spending a few dollars on a key.
You know, these guys on YouTube have been pushing out cheap game keys way back when. The reason? They actually get paid to sell them.
As a side note to that point, and I'm not saying you're wrong, BUT IF this were true for everything, why would Microsoft be sticking to hardware limits like they do with Windows 11? Instant reaction is that they just want to push more hardware into the hands of their partners in OEMs. People already know some of these limits are pointless because so much older gear has been made obsolete by them anyway. In my own way, I think MS is doing Linux a big favor. Of course, when it comes to "market share and relevance," I'm just learning from what I've worked with. I actually know more about Windows than Linux right now. I'm trying to learn but not very well. I think your point makes sense either way.
Where was the original Windows 11 Home key really bought? And where did the Pro one come from?