Windows Serial Key Rules

[letsmakedonuts]

To avoid the pain in the ass invalid key error message, what are the Windows serial key rules?

Here is what I know: (correct me if I’m wrong)
-A specific serial key can work on an x86 or x32 system (assuming all other serial key rules are met)
-A Windows Home serial key must be used on a Windows Home computer, same with starter/basic, -pro/business, and ultimate. You cannot mix.
-A retail serial key needs a retail CD (AKA bought from a retail store such as best buy)
-An OEM serial key needs an OEM CD (supplied by the manufacturer)
-A volume license serial key needs a volume license CD

Here is what I don’t know:
-Do service packs have anything to do with serial keys? For example, if my computer came with XP Home SP2, can I use an XP Home SP3 disk to reinstall the OS or will the serial key be invalid? (assuming the disk and the computer are OEM or whatever)
-If I have an OEM Gateway OS CD (not recovery), can I use that on a dell (or any other manufacturer) computer and use the dell serial key sticker attached to the computer? (Assuming both the gateway and dell were XP Home for example). Also, I heard that sometimes OEM serial keys are not only limited to OEM CDs, but also specific to the manufacturer AND model. Is this true?

 

[usacvlr]

Personally I use a retail copy of whatever OS I'm dealing with and that has never failed to work on any system, oem or otherwise.

 

[studiot]

Have you tried a forum search?

 

[joydivision]

You can use Home in a business as longs as it has the right COA, it just the home version dosn't work with domain servers.

 

[Psychoticus]

To avoid the pain in the ass invalid key error message, what are the Windows serial key rules?

Here is what I know: (correct me if I’m wrong)
-A specific serial key can work on an x86 or x32 system (assuming all other serial key rules are met)

x86 and x32 are the same thing, i think you mean x86(32bit) or x64(64bit)

-A Windows Home serial key must be used on a Windows Home computer, same with starter/basic, -pro/business, and ultimate. You cannot mix.

True as far as i know

-A retail serial key needs a retail CD (AKA bought from a retail store such as best buy)
-An OEM serial key needs an OEM CD (supplied by the manufacturer)
-A volume license serial key needs a volume license CD

Not exactly true, as for VLK (or MAK as they are now known) you need a vlk cd for anything after XP SP3, as for OEM you can use any type of cd you want as long as it's the same version e.g. XP Pro - XP Pro, and the same applies for retail

Here is what I don’t know:
-Do service packs have anything to do with serial keys? For example, if my computer came with XP Home SP2, can I use an XP Home SP3 disk to reinstall the OS or will the serial key be invalid? (assuming the disk and the computer are OEM or whatever)

i've had problems trying to do a repair if the OS is a different SP than the disk but other than that it should be ok

-If I have an OEM Gateway OS CD (not recovery), can I use that on a dell (or any other manufacturer) computer and use the dell serial key sticker attached to the computer? (Assuming both the gateway and dell were XP Home for example). Also, I heard that sometimes OEM serial keys are not only limited to OEM CDs, but also specific to the manufacturer AND model. Is this true?

i wouldn't think so

 

[daeemann]

The master SLP key of one OEM Home XP should work on any other major branded computer as long as you have the oembios files for that particular computer. The master SLP key is not the same as the COA Product key. The master slp is used by the large manufacturers to install windows on several computers. The COA key is for 1 computer only. If you use Jelly bean, that's the master slp key. The COA key can be used w/ a generic oem copy of xp but you may have to activate by phone. The master slp key can only be used if you have the right oembios files.

 

[JimO'C]

Personally I use a retail copy of whatever OS I'm dealing with and that has never failed to work on any system, oem or otherwise.

Yea you can never go wrong with Retail keys, thats why when I started my business we decided to only sell full retail keys not OEMs and Upgrades, just to be on the safe side

 

[RegEdit]

-A retail serial key needs a retail CD (AKA bought from a retail store such as best buy)
-An OEM serial key needs an OEM CD (supplied by the manufacturer)

So if a Dell Computer (that was running OEM) requires a reinstall, but you're missing the Dell Windows CD, are you saying that you can't reinstall with a retail version CD and then enter the product ID number from the sticker that's stuck to the computer? If not I would imaging that you could call Microsoft and explain it to them.

 

[Styxbound]

Keys

I don't know of any other area of repair where a comprehensive and definitive guide is so seriously needed. It would certainly be great if someone with the knowledge and a yen to publish would do this. They could put me down for the first copy.

 

[JimO'C]

I don't know of any other area of repair where a comprehensive and definitive guide is so seriously needed. It would certainly be great if someone with the knowledge and a yen to publish would do this. They could put me down for the first copy.

I work with the OS's made by Microsoft every day, I own a site that sells them.

Shoot me an email with what you guys think needs to be in this, and I'll write one up

james@MicrosoftWholesale.net

 

[RegEdit]

I do some freelance repair. Most of my customers don't have their original windows CD for their OEM computer. I always thought you could use ANY windows CD as long as it was the same as far as Home Edition, Business, or Ultimate, and of course the bit rate had to match (32 or 64). Then when it comes time to enter the product key you just use THEIR product key. But if I use a retail CD for the reinstall will that accept an OEM product key?

I wish they'd teach this stuff for the COMP TIA A + course but they do not. No wonder people just out of school can't repair a computer to save their life. Fixing computers is 10% school and 90% forums and hand-on.

 

[JimO'C]

I do some freelance repair. Most of my customers don't have their original windows CD for their OEM computer. I always thought you could use ANY windows CD as long as it was the same as far as Home Edition, Business, or Ultimate, and of course the bit rate had to match (32 or 64). Then when it comes time to enter the product key you just use THEIR product key. But if I use a retail CD for the reinstall will that accept an OEM product key?

I wish they'd teach this stuff for the COMP TIA A + course but they do not. No wonder people just out of school can't repair a computer to save their life. Fixing computers is 10% school and 90% forums and hand-on.

In personal experence it USULY works to use a retail disk with an OEM key

but your breaking the EULA

 

[Alan22]

There's a big difference between what can be done (with a little tweaking & workarounds) and what is legal. Using disc A to install Windows on a computer that originally used disc B may work, but this may not be legal. Although the software may be the same the license agreements are different.

Check out the Microsoft OEM Partner Center for more information on licensing.

I've posted the following several times (direct from Microsoft):
Source
Q. If I need to reinstall the operating system on a machine from a direct OEM (e.g., Dell) that my customer has brought in, how should I do this?
A. A customer who wants you to reinstall Windows must provide recovery media from the direct OEM, because the software is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM System Builder media to reinstall the operating system, or any other version of media (e.g., TechNet, MSDN, Action Pack, etc.), because these versions differ from the original OEM Windows license your customer acquired from the direct OEM. A customer who doesn't have a backup copy of the software for reinstallation will need to contact the original OEM and request replacement recovery media; you can use that media to reinstall the operating system on that machine.

 

[RegEdit]

In personal experence it USULY works to use a retail disk with an OEM key but your breaking the EULA

Actually someone was telling me that on Microsoft's own site they recommend borrowing a Windows CD from a friend if you need to do a reinstall but lost your Windows CD. It's the product key that matters. As long as that is valid and attached to that specific computer I believe it's OK as far Microsoft is concerned.

I've tested using a different XP Pro OEM CD for a reinstall. It worked. I need to test mixing retail and OEM for Vista and XP.

 

[HubCityPC]

I work with the OS's made by Microsoft every day, I own a site that sells them.

Shoot me an email with what you guys think needs to be in this, and I'll write one up

james@MicrosoftWholesale.net

Jim I don't have any specific suggestions but maybe some type of chart showing what will or won't work. Whatever you feel would be appropriate. I know I as well as others would benefit greatly from such a guide.

Thank you for being willing to do this.

Kevin

 

[JimO'C]

Jim I don't have any specific suggestions but maybe some type of chart showing what will or won't work. Whatever you feel would be appropriate. I know I as well as others would benefit greatly from such a guide.

Thank you for being willing to do this.

Kevin

Yea I was thinking a chart too

I will have 2 charts 1 "What Will Work" and 2 "What will Work but is illegal"

 

[@ncient geek]

God, this was adressed in detail several times before

 

[alsTech]

I work with the OS's made by Microsoft every day, I own a site that sells them.

Shoot me an email with what you guys think needs to be in this, and I'll write one up

james@MicrosoftWholesale.net

What do you do about windows Lic. sticker if you're downloading the OS and emailing the serial#. Doesn't the Lic.# have to be displayed on the box?

 

[Alan22]

This is not intended to insult anyone.....just an observation from reading posts concerning Windows licensing.

There are some people here, computer repair professionals, who are misguided when it comes to proper Windows licensing and post inaccurate information as fact without any references to back up their claims.

Using a Windows disc that was not intended for the target system may result in being able to install & activate Windows, but it may not be legal to do so. Different Windows versions have different End User License Agreements and as computer professionals we are bound to adhere to them. It is not the end user that is agreeing to them, it is the installer....you.

All the information concerning proper Windows licensing is on Microsoft's website. I'm not referring to the forums, I'm referring to KB articles and the OEM Partner Center. I've posted links a few times....even in this thread.

In an effort to distribute accurate information, I submit the following links:
Microsoft OEM partner Center FAQs
How to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs, and replace product manuals
Microsoft Software License Terms (Windows 7)

 

[Alan22]

What do you do about windows Lic. sticker if you're downloading the OS and emailing the serial#. Doesn't the Lic.# have to be displayed on the box?

Not necessarily. It depends on how the license was obtained. For instance, purchasing & downloading Windows 7 from the Microsoft store does not result in the purchaser receiving a coa sticker. The key is presented online, emailed &/or stored in a digital locker.