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

alexrico

alexrico

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    window 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    CPU
    2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Onboard
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    1TB Samsung 980 PRO M.2,
    6TB WD Black WD6001FZWX
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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