How To Check Windows License
OEM and Retail Windows licenses are entirely unlike. Here is how to check if your Windows license is retail or OEM.
Microsoft provides three kinds of Windows licenses. They are the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), Retail, and Volume license. Depending on the license blazon, you have sure restrictions and privileges. For case, an OEM license is far more restrictive than a Retail license.
Whenever you buy a new Windows device or a copy of Windows from an offline or online store, you get an OEM or Retail license, respectively. Volume license, equally y'all can tell from the name, is more often than not reserved for organizations and corporates where bulk purchasing is common. Microsoft doesn't sell Volume licenses to individuals. I of the master reasons is that you have to purchase a minimum of 100 or more Windows copies.
With all the license types Microsoft provides, it is just natural that you might want to check if your Windows license is retail or OEM. Knowing the license type gives you lot boosted info on what you can and cannot do with the license. Thankfully, it is pretty easy to cheque.
Allow me bear witness y'all how to find your Windows license type without delay. The steps shown below will piece of work in all versions starting from Windows vii.
Leap to:
- Differences between OEM and Retail licenses
- Find Windows license type
Divergence between OEM and Retail license
Now, you might exist wondering about the significant differences between OEM and Retail licenses. Here are some of the major things yous need to know nearly OEM and Retail Windows licenses.
OEM License: An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license is what you become when yous buy a Windows device. For example, if you have purchased a laptop from Amazon, Dell, Microsoft, etc., you get an OEM license, most probably.
One of the meaning advantages of an OEM license is that information technology is much cheaper than a Retail license.
When it comes to disadvantages, there are a few. Mainly, an OEM license is tied to the device. This means you lot cannot transfer the license to another figurer or user. If something happens to the device, the OEM license becomes invalid. Other than that, OEM licenses get no guaranteed back up from free Microsoft Direct Support staff. There are also restrictions on upgrading from older to newer versions (unless Microsoft specifically allowed it).
If you are wondering, most cheap Windows licenses yous find in many online stores are OEM keys. As a general rule, you shouldn't buy cheap keys as they might terminate working whatever time.
Retail License: You get a Retail license when y'all purchase a new Windows copy (in DVD, USB, literal license lawmaking form) from the official or a reputed online or offline shop. Compared to the OEM license, a Retail license is much more expensive.
The major advantage of a retail license is that it is tied to the user. That means you have full rights to transfer the ownership from 1 machine to some other. You are non locked to a single Windows device. Of course, you lot tin only employ one retail license on one machine at a time. Other than that, you are too entitled to free Microsoft Direct Support. You can also upgrade from the older Windows version to a newer one if Microsoft allows it.
If you are wondering, both licenses are similar in terms of the operating organization features. They don't restrict Os features.
That beingness said, depending on the Windows edition, some Bone features might be restricted. For case, the Dwelling edition users don't have access to advanced tools similar the Group Policy Editor, Windows Sandbox, etc.
Now that you know the difference betwixt OEM and Retail licenses follow the beneath steps to check your Windows license type.
Check if Windows License is OEM or Retail
To find out if your Windows license is OEM or Retail, we can use the SLMGR tool built into Windows. All you take to do is execute the command to testify whether your license is OEM or Retail. Here is how to do it.
The steps shown beneath volition work in all versions of Windows, starting from Windows 7. That means, fifty-fifty if you lot are using Windows 7, 8, or x, yous tin follow the steps and go the same result.
- Press the Beginning key on your keyboard.
- Search for "CMD" in the Starting time menu.
- Right-click on the "Command Prompt" result.
- Select the "Run as administrator" choice.
- Type "slmgr -dli" and press Enter.
- You will run into the license type on the second line.
- Information technology will say if the license is Retail, OEM, or Volume.
- Click "Ok" to shut the window.
- With that, you at present know the Windows license type.
Detailed steps with a bit more info and screenshots:
First, we demand to open Command Prompt equally admin. To practise that, open the Showtime card, search for "CMD," right-click on the Control Prompt event and select the "Run as ambassador" choice. Windows 11 users can open Windows Last equally an admin so open the Command Prompt tab. If you don't know, y'all can open Windows Terminal past right-clicking on the Beginning menu or pressing the "Windows key + Ten" keyboard shortcut.
After opening the Command Prompt window, type "slmgr -dli" and printing the Enter cardinal. This action will execute the command immediately.
Equally before long equally you lot do that, Windows Script Host will open subsequently a couple of seconds. Y'all volition meet the license type in the 2nd line. See the below image for quick reference. For instance, I'grand using a Retail license central. Then, I'm seeing "Retail Aqueduct" in the second line. If you are using an OEM or Volume license, yous will see "OEM aqueduct" or "Volume channel" in the second line.
That is all. It is that elementary to check if your Windows license is OEM, Retail, or Volume.
I hope this uncomplicated Windows how-to guide helped you.
Like this guide? Check out how to find your Windows product key.
If you are stuck or need some assistance, comment below, and I will try to aid as much as possible.
Source: https://windowsloop.com/how-to-check-if-windows-license-is-retail-or-oem/
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