Windows key: Retail, OEM or volume, what is the difference?
A Retail licence can be moved to another PC (one at a time). An OEM licence stays tied to the first device. A volume licence (MAK or KMS) is made for organisations. To find the type of a licence that is already activated, type slmgr /dli in the command prompt.
The three types of Windows licence
| Type | Who it is for | Changing PC | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Individuals and small businesses | Possible, on one PC at a time | Key of 25 characters entered in Windows |
| OEM | PC manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo…) | No: tied to the first device | Often automatic, Windows comes preinstalled |
| Volume (MAK / KMS) | Companies, schools, public bodies | Depends on the organisation’s contract | MAK: limited number of activations with Microsoft. KMS: server run by the company |
The exact transfer rules are in the publisher’s licence agreement. Remember the principle: Retail = movable, OEM = tied to the machine, volume = reserved for an organisation.
How can I tell which type my licence is?
Open the command prompt
Type “cmd” in the Windows search, then open the application.
Run the command
Type
slmgr /dlithen Enter. A window appears.Read the “Description” line
It shows the licence channel: Retail, OEM or volume (MAK, KMS). The window also shows whether Windows is activated.
What about second-hand licences?
Licenciel resells second-hand perpetual licences. In the European Union, the Court of Justice ruled in 2012 that the resale of a perpetual licence is allowed when the first buyer makes their copy unusable (UsedSoft ruling, C-128/11). The details of where our licences come from are on the page Our guarantees.
Four checks before buying a key
- The edition: Home or Pro, see the comparison.
- One PC per key: one key activates one computer.
- An invoice in the buyer’s name and a written activation guarantee.
- The official download: Windows installs from Microsoft’s servers, never from a third-party file.