Retail vs OEM licenses explained
A Retail license can be moved to a new PC after you remove it from the old one. An OEM license is tied to the first PC it activates and cannot be moved. A Volume license (Professional Plus or LTSC editions) is issued under Microsoft volume licensing programs, activates one device and cannot be transferred. At AnyKeys, Windows keys are Retail licenses and Office keys are Volume licenses.
Retail, OEM and Volume compared
| Retail | OEM | Volume | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer to a new PC | Yes, after removing it from the old PC | No | No |
| Tied to | One PC at a time | The first PC it activates | The device it activates |
| Typical editions | Windows Home / Pro, Office Home & Business | Windows preinstalled on new PCs | Office Professional Plus / LTSC |
| Activation | Online | Online | Online or by phone |
| Microsoft account | Can be linked | Can be linked | Not linked |
What a Retail license allows
A Retail license belongs to you, not to a specific computer. Under Microsoft’s license terms, you can move it to a new PC as long as it is only active on one PC at a time. After a major hardware change, such as a new motherboard, you can reactivate with the same key, or with the Activation troubleshooter if the license is linked to your Microsoft account.
What an OEM license allows
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses are sold with new PCs, or to system builders. The license is tied to the first PC it activates and ends with that PC. If you replace the motherboard, Microsoft may treat it as a new PC that needs a new license.
Where Volume licenses fit
Volume licenses are issued under Microsoft volume licensing programs for editions such as Office Professional Plus and Office LTSC. A volume key activates one device, online or by phone, and is not linked to a Microsoft account, so it does not appear in account.microsoft.com and cannot be transferred.
How to check which license your PC has
- Open Command Prompt.
- Run
slmgr /dliand wait for the window to open. - Look at the description line: RETAIL channel, OEM_DM channel (OEM) or VOLUME_MAK channel (Volume).
For Office, run cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /dstatus and check the LICENSE NAME line.
Which license types does AnyKeys sell?
- Windows 11 and Windows 10 keys: Retail. You can move the license to a new PC after removing it from the old one.
- Microsoft Office keys: Volume (Professional Plus / LTSC editions). They activate one device and cannot be transferred.
Every product page shows its license type and restrictions before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is an OEM license worse than Retail?
The software is identical. The difference is the license: Retail can be moved to a new PC, OEM cannot.
Is a Volume license a lifetime license?
Yes. Office Professional Plus and LTSC Volume licenses are perpetual: there is no subscription or renewal.
