# How much should I pay for a Windows 10 Activation key? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 22, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744 "2016-11-22T15:24:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/1 "2016-11-22T15:24:59Z")
I just upgraded an old Windows XP laptop to Windows 10 by using a Windows 10 ISO burned to a DVD. I want to activate it; how much should I pay for a legit activation key? I’ve seen them on the web for anywhere from $19.99 to over $100. [This web site](https://bigshopz.myshopify.com/products/windows-10-home-product-key-code-32-64bit-full-version?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=23557463169) has one for $19.99, but is it legit? Obviously I don’t want to buy a key only to find out it doesn’t work, and then I’m unable to contact the seller. I could just use it unactivated, but are there any down sides to that? There are lots of web sites that claim to have free Windows keys, product keys, activation keys, generic keys, but guess what? They don’t work. What a surprise. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Qwakkeddup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/2 "2016-11-22T15:40:03Z")
Looking at [Microsoft.com](http://Microsoft.com), Windows 10 home is $119.00. The only cheap method I would know of would be to buy a new computer with it already installed. It is very hard to tell if an online seller is actually licensed to sell windows, but if it is lower than Microsoft’s price I would think it is a scam. If the installation you used was downloaded from a reputable place, you should be able to activate it online. System properties should have a line telling you if it is activated or not with a link to Microsoft so you can activate it there. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/3 "2016-11-22T15:56:17Z")
> [@Oglomott](#): > > I could just use it unactivated, but are there any down sides to that? Not really. You can’t do anything in the PERSONALIZATION settings (there are work-arounds for most of this), and there will be an ever-present watermark in the corner reminding you to activate. Other than that, AFAIK, fully-functional Windows 10. Thing is, Microsoft doesn’t really care that much if you activate Windows 10 or not; what they really want is for you to install it and buy stuff via their Store. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/4 "2016-11-22T16:09:29Z")
> [@Oglomott](#): > > I’ve seen them on the web for anywhere from $19.99 to over $100. [This web site](https://bigshopz.myshopify.com/products/windows-10-home-product-key-code-32-64bit-full-version?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=23557463169) has one for $19.99, but is it legit? Obviously I don’t want to buy a key only to find out it doesn’t work, and then I’m unable to contact the seller. I could just use it unactivated, but are there any down sides to that? It’s a scam site. Highly likely what you pay for will not work. Also, you also risk getting your identity stolen from such a scam site. The Microsoft price for Windows 10 Home license is $119.99. Legitimate sellers may discount that price a bit ([TigerDirect @ $99.00](http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9780557&CatId=306)) but no legitimate seller is going to discount the price way below their own costs. Right now Microsoft may not care, as you say, whether you activate it or not. But you can bet at some point they will, and lock up your system. ---
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/5 "2016-11-22T16:32:19Z")
Thanks all for the replies. I’ll probably just use it unactivated for now. It’s an old laptop; the cost of a (legit) key is probably more that the laptop is worth. It isn’t my primary PC or even my primary laptop. My other PC’s upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10 with no issues, but I know you can’t upgrade directly from XP to 10. I did this just for fun / experimental purposes mostly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/6 "2016-11-22T16:57:09Z")
> [@Oglomott](#): > > [This web site](https://bigshopz.myshopify.com/products/windows-10-home-product-key-code-32-64bit-full-version?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=23557463169) has one for $19.99, but is it legit? From your link: “We are Microsoft reseller and we sell ONLY genuine key directly from microsoft You will get link to download full version software and genuine product key from Microsoft” I just got one of [these](http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wakeboard-tower-pylon-10-foot-pole-165688696) shipped to me, and it came with the instructions “WARNING: Do Not Touch That Linked Ad” ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/7 "2016-11-22T16:58:13Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > The Microsoft price for Windows 10 Home license is $119.99. Legitimate sellers may discount that price a bit ([TigerDirect @ $99.00](http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9780557&CatId=306)) but no legitimate seller is going to discount the price way below their own costs. That link appears to be for the OEM version, and $99 is the standard price for it. The OEM version is intended for people who build computers for themselves or to sell. It has the same features as the retail version, and is perfect fine for most users, but it does have some limitations (limited customer support, cannot be transferred to another computer, etc). ---
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/8 "2016-11-22T18:17:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > From your link: “We are Microsoft reseller and we sell ONLY genuine key directly from microsoft > You will get link to download full version software and genuine product key from Microsoft” > I just got one of [these](http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wakeboard-tower-pylon-10-foot-pole-165688696) shipped to me, and it came with the instructions “WARNING: Do Not Touch That Linked Ad” So for $19.99, he sells you the link to buy the software and legit key, directly from Microsoft. Ain’t people wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/9 "2016-11-22T18:25:28Z")
Can’t Microsoft see via the internet that a key is being used by more than one computer? Or that a key has not been purchased from Microsoft? I’ve always paid for software I use (from Microsoft) and avoided problems. I’ve noticed that people who use copies of other people’s software seem to have all sorts of trouble! (Hint!) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/10 "2016-11-22T19:49:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > …I just got one of [these](http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wakeboard-tower-pylon-10-foot-pole-165688696) shipped to me, and it came with the instructions “WARNING: Do Not Touch That Linked Ad” Ok, I was a little confused for a moment, but nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/11 "2016-11-22T22:01:11Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Can’t Microsoft see via the internet that a key is being used by more than one computer? > > Or that a key has not been purchased from Microsoft? > > I’ve always paid for software I use (from Microsoft) and avoided problems. I’ve noticed that people who use copies of other people’s software seem to have all sorts of trouble! (Hint!) Yes, usually if you try to activate Windows with a key that’s already used, activation will fail. However, some keys are good for more than one install, you can buy a volume license in some cases. There is no way to get a key that isn’t generated from Microsoft. The only way to get a license to install Windows is to buy it from Microsoft. ---
**Author:** ![Emerald\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Emerald\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emerald_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/12 "2016-11-22T22:39:58Z")
I purchased two keys from Play Asia ([http://www.play-asia.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-3264-bit-oem/13/709747](http://www.play-asia.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-3264-bit-oem/13/709747)) and both work fine. I purchased one six weeks ago, and another two weeks ago. Their customer support was pretty helpful as well. I mistakenly thought I could use an OEM key to activate an already installed Windows 10, but I needed to do a clean install from scratch instead. Also note that OEM keys are tied to a single motherboard. I assume these are legit keys that Microsoft sells to Asian PC manufacturers cheap. I haven’t heard of them cancelling a key because it was resold, I think Microsoft is just happy when people don’t pirate it. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/13 "2016-11-22T23:33:41Z")
On the last day the upgrade was available for free I went ahead and let it download and install, knowing that I didn’t want it yet. I went into the registry, got my product activation key, and reverted to windows 7 after saving the key in a text file. I now have an unused, and as far as I know completely valid key that I plan to use one day when the OS has matured a bit more. There was nothing to prevent someone from doing this with 100 computers or 1,000 or 10,000. This theory may prove wrong when the time comes and I find that the key no longer works, but from what I’ve read online so far I think that it should work fine. So technically, although maybe not legally, I could sell that key to someone for 20 bucks and they would get a fully working key. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/14 "2016-11-22T23:44:18Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > This theory may prove wrong when the time comes and I find that the key no longer works, but from what I’ve read online so far I think that it should work fine. So technically, although maybe not legally, I could sell that key to someone for 20 bucks and they would get a fully working key. That key will be tied to your hardware. Microsoft are usually pretty good about letting you re-use it if you ring them when prompted and give a good reason, such as motherboard failure. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/15 "2016-11-23T16:30:35Z")
You can still upgrade for free is you are willing to click a button on the Microsoft website that says “Yes, I use assistive technologies and I am ready for my free upgrade to Windows 10.” You don’t have to specify which assistive technologies you use and you don’t have to actually use them, you just have to click the button. This not a third party thing; it is directly from Microsoft. [Windows 10 free upgrade for customers who use assistive technologies](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade) ---
**Author:** ![doubleminus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@doubleminus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doubleminus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/16 "2016-11-23T20:37:30Z")
You can look [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/). Looks pretty OK. Have never used this though. I have no idea how they do it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-i-pay-for-a-windows-10-activation-key/772744/18 "2017-06-07T14:51:10Z")
I would like to share this very interesting spam report with you. ( **Fabrice** )