Is this a retail or an OEM license? (For those who don’t know the difference, you can transfer your retail copy of Windows from one computer to another, whereas an OEM copy is locked to the first computer on which it was installed.)
That’s actually a great detail, I have my windows but had no idea, one of my friends want to build a
Pc and I will definitely let him know of this!
Based on the $199 markdown that the page had before it was removed, I’m guessing that this is the retail license key.
My understanding is that for custom PC builders it no longer matters. All OS licenses you can buy are now tied to your MS account, which renders them all Retail — you can activate them on one machine at a time, they aren’t locked into the first hardware you put them on. You can’t take the Windows off your Dell computer or whatever, but otherwise if you’re buying it, it’s Retail, not OEM.
Can anyone explain why this is so cheap? Seems kinda suspicious. Are these serials being delivered by Microsoft or some OEM reseller?
If you have Win 10, the upgrade to 11 is free from Microsoft.
If you have Win 11 Home, the upgrade to Pro is $99 from BB or Microsoft regular price.
Unsure if they ever go on sale.
Would you need to do a complete uninstall of 11 Home to use this 11 Pro version?
Or is it the wrong thing to purchase if you have 11 Home onboard?
Last question, promise!
Why only a 90 day warranty?
This is not an item that can be “lightly used” and returned open box.
You should just be able to replace your home with the pro license. If you’re a home user that has no fancy network/server setup at home. No need to buy a pro license.
Wow, this is a great price. I have a few projects I’ve been debating if I wanted to pay the $99 for a Pro upgrade, but this price makes it a no-brainer, as long as these really are legit… the cheapest I’ve ever seen a Pro upgrade is very, very rarely down to $89.99.
I’m a bit concerned because I am tempted to buy the max of 3 as I know I will use them in the future, but if the keys are at all dodgy I doubt I could get support down the road…
For a typical home user you likely don’t really need Pro. But does have some nice features if you’re at all techy, such as Bitlocker for drive encryption (so someone can’t yank out your hard drive and read your data), Hyper-V for virtualization and Remote Desktop. Plus it gives you MUCH more control over the updating and “privacy” functionality (in quotes because yeah, no one really trusts Microsoft in either version).
Keep in mind that Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. Yes, you will likely be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free at any point, but if you’re stocking up on keys it might be something to think about. (although I suspect that these keys will just work directly in Windows 11, even if they’re officially 10 keys).
It APPEARS from this person’s post that they were able to install and activate Windows 10 using a Windows 11 key. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/590807/activating-windows-10-os-with-windows-11-key
Seems to me that 90 day Woot warranty means money back if these aren’t legit & can pass muster w/ MS (so long as you don’t wait to activate).
Just noticed Woot is charging sales tax to CA although with a caveat that it’s just an estimate. They really shouldn’t, as digital items are tax free here. It doesn’t sound like these are the “code in a box” licenses, just like an email will contain the code.
Are Software and Digital Products taxable in California?.
Agree! Not techy, but interested in privacy and data control (looking at YOU, Chat GPT!).
Also want the cleanest running system to delay upgrades a bit, and if I prevent a few ads that’s a plus.
Honestly was considering linux but what a hassel. Apple considered too. Would take an investment to move everything over, tho’.
Pro is like putting a patch on it and hoping it helps.
If you already have Win 11 Home is it worth it for 50 bucks to upgrade to Pro? Looking at the info here it doesn’t seem like it. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compare-windows-11-home-vs-pro-versions
Woot staff please address -
- Is this via a Microsoft sanctioned channel or via an installer selling from his licenses?
- Any guarantee that Microsoft will support an install (and not disable ?)
- Can it be shared by desktop and laptop of same person?
Can this be installed on a clean hard drive in a laptop? I’m running Ubuntu currently and might consider adding windows and giving to wife.
Will these work to activate Windows on ARM installations?
Caution: I just read the recent Win 11 patches are causing Ryzen based systems to glitch erratically.
I have a Ryzen CPU and Windows 11 Pro has been fine for me. I just checked and I have all the latest updates installed.