What is the difference between Windows OEM key and Retail key? Why is OEM key so cheap?

[alexrico]

What is the difference between Windows OEM key and Retail key? Why is OEM key so cheap?

 

[Brink]

Hello Alex, and welcome.

An OEM key is cheaper since it is not transferable to another computer. Once activated on a computer, it can only be used to activate that specific computer and no other.

A retail key is transferable to another computer.

Keys are tied to the motherboard, so if you change the motherboard, it's the same as a different computer.