How reliable are third-party keys?
How reliable are third-party keys?
I've been weighing whether to get a direct key from Microsoft or a third-party option. I spoke to four people face-to-face, with two advising against buying third-party keys and two suggesting it's okay. If I choose a third-party key, which retailer should I consider? One person suggested Kinguin, while two PC build videos mentioned urcdkeys and bobs keys. Any other recommendations? Thanks.
If Microsoft is available, choose the one that suits you. If not, explore other alternatives.
It's essentially a risk. You do your homework, collect data... but then you have to make a decision. I think this community doesn't focus much on the "shady" side of keys, so you might not find helpful advice. If you need a genuine Windows Pro key, the safest bet is to visit Microsfot directly. From other resellers you could save some cash, but beware—you might end up losing out, since you still won't have the product.
Bought many units without any issues. The only concern is they might deactivate eventually, which would likely occur around 15 times before it becomes more expensive than purchasing a regular version.
I purchased it 20 years ago, somehow managed to activate five PCs with it while keeping the old ones active, then all of them were deactivated together on one day. Not a good idea.