Anyway to get windows 10 cheap. As long as you hold onto the Windows 7 key, when you make a hardware change and Windows says you are no longer activated, you simply hop on chat with a Microsoft support person, tell them what you changes, give them your key, and they'll fix it.
There are some websites on the internet that claim to sell original Windows 10 keys for a nominal price. How do they get such Windows 10 keys for less? Are such grey market keys legal and safe? Do they work? In this post, we will discuss these aspects of cheap Windows 10 keys.
The cost of Windows 10 in the Microsoft Store is around $199 for Windows 10 Pro and $139 for Windows 10 Home.
But some websites, identify the countries where cheap Windows 10 key are available. They then purchase some keys at a low price like $10 or $20!
These Windows 10 keys may look legal, but they are not. Microsoft has priced Windows 10 OS at different rates in different countries. There are reasons why Microsoft has different pricing for different countries. These reasons are based on the currency strength of the countries and some other factors. Besides, the law is different for digital purchases in different countries.
Are cheap Windows 10 keys legit?
It is not legit to buy a cheap Windows 10 key from such websites. Microsoft does not endorse it and will file a lawsuit against the people behind such websites if it finds out the websites that sell such keys and bulk deactivate all such leaked keys.
How do they sell Windows key at such low prices?
Cheap Windows 10 keys could be:
Keys bought from a country where prices are lower
MAK or KMS keys
OEM keys
Used keys
Keys for Student & other groups
Pirated versions.
One method is buying from a country whose currency is weaker and selling them to other countries where the currency is stronger. That looks legit but is not.
Do not fall into a trap where you get Windows keys by paying as low as $5 to $10. Those are usually MAK or KMS keys. MAK keys are used to activate a specific number of devices. The count is pre-configured as a deal between Microsoft and Enterprise. Also, Enterprises use a KMS key using which they need to configure an in-house server using Microsoft’s Software Licensing Service. Such keys are bought it the bulk and then sold cheaply online.
Leaked OEM keys too are purchased by some websites who then sell dozens of copies to unsuspecting people.
Used or 2nd-hand keys can also find their way to this grey market. These in all, likelihood could work.
Microsoft offers keys to students, teachers, and other groups free or at discounts. Such keys can also find their way into this grey market.
Then there are cracks and patches available too, but they are illegal. You should know that already and stay away from them. This might even compromise your computer.
Read: How long can you use Windows 10 without Activation?
Do cheap Windows 10 keys work?
If you have purchased a cheap Windows 10 key from any website other than Microsoft and partner websites, you have to make sure that the keys are being sold legally. Microsoft makes it very clear which websites are their partner websites and legal. You should always buy a valid or legit Windows 10 license key. Buy it only from Microsoft or their official partner sites.
The keys will work as long as they are not caught. Once Microsoft finds out that the key is not legal, they’ll show you a message that you may have purchased an illegal key. You can continue using it even after you get the message, but most elements of original software are blocked. And there will be a watermark everywhere saying”, “This copy of Windows is not genuine.” Besides, you may also receive a legal notice from Microsoft.
Read: How to check if the Windows Key is Genuine or Legit?
Amazon and eBay too sell low priced keys, but they may or may not be illegal. There may be people or entities selling original Windows 10 keys on suche eCommerce sites. You have to make sure you are not being tricked into purchasing illegal Windows 10 key. If the price looks too less compared to the key cost in your country, it may be a con seller. If you are buying on these sites, make sure that you are buying from an official Microsoft or their partner account.
Summary
Cheap Windows 10 key may not work right from the beginning, or it may work for a while and then stop, or if you are lucky, it may end up working for long! But know that the key you are using may not be legit. And for those reasons, we recommend that you always buy genuine Windows 10 product keys from the Microsoft Store or one of their official Partners.
Don’t fall for such tricks. The cheap Windows 10 key you purchased on a third-party website is not legal. These grey market keys carry the risk of getting caught, and once it is caught, it is over. If luck favors you, you may get some time to use it. You may go undetected for a week, month, or year, or maybe also for a lifetime – and that a choice you will have to make.
Your views, thoughts, comments, observations?
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Its likely not a genuine Windows 10 key because no third party vendor apart from Amazon and Microsoft are allowed to license digital downloads.
So anyone claiming to sell keys is likely not legal.
That vendor is likely selling MSDN keys:
About MSDN Product Keys
They are genuine Microsoft product keys, they are actually retail licenses, but it is intended for a particular product channel either the Microsoft Software Developer Network (MSDN) or TechNet for IT Professionals who pay a subscription fee. The main purpose is for evaluation purposes. The great thing about them, unlike trial Microsoft software, MSDN or TechNet keys don't expire. Because the agreement under which the subscription is provided is a single license, none of the software should be distributed outside of it. Even though its $50,000 worth of licenses, it is for one person only to use and no one else. Unfortunately, regardless of the licensing terms, persons still abuse the program, either giveaway product keys or resell it on auction sites. Microsoft licenses it in good faith that customers won't do so, but I guess human nature wins out.
In your case, what probably happened is, you bought an MSDN licensed key, which carries up to 10 activations unlike full packaged retail licenses which only carry 1 activation. The person who sold it to you probably sold it to 10 other persons. Somewhere along the way, one of those persons might have installed it on a second system, activated it, because it went past 10 activation threshold, Microsoft detected it that it was being abused and blocked the key from further use.
Purchase a genuine license: Buy Windows 10 Home/Pro