They’re offered at very low prices because they’re often sold in bulk or through unofficial channels.
They’re offered at very low prices because they’re often sold in bulk or through unofficial channels.
They seem so inexpensive. What’s the reason? Are they using outdated parts or reusing old boards? It’s surprising you paid only £2 or $3 for it!
OEM keys are designed for manufacturers, not for individual buyers. They tend to be very affordable. The fact that you can’t reuse them is a significant issue.
I'd be very wary about a Windows key priced at three dollars on eBay. Typically, OEM keys are tied to a particular device (often the motherboard), making it hard to use them during upgrades.
That's incorrect. I purchased an OEM Windows 7 home key, set it up on an iMac, then took out the key and installed Windows 7 on my PC using the same key. Later, I upgraded to Windows 10 with the same key.
OEM keys are distributed to companies like HP and Dell, though they’re not intended for regular buyers. Retailers such as Newegg ignore this distinction. Usually, these keys are tied to the device permanently, and Microsoft doesn’t provide customer service for OEM versions of Windows. Typically, it’s the manufacturer who handles any issues. Under the OEM agreement, Microsoft isn’t required to allow key transfers, which is a good thing.
Since these items are obtained illegally and sold on sites such as eBay and Kinguin to everyday buyers, they violate the Windows EULA and render them unsuitable for their original purpose.
It's not a violation; the eBay listing included quotes from Microsoft and Bayst & Co. regarding these keys, which is acceptable. Additionally, the seller was completely legitimate, handling over 1,000 orders daily!