Most often these keys are what's called VLKs or Volume License Keys. These are keys that large companies buy, so that they can image one PC and have it work across all devices. For example Ben's Bargains University buys a VLK for 10,000 computers. A single key works for all 10,000 machines.
The second way these keys are acquired are by machines that are no longer in service. You know those "genuine stickers" you see on new computers? They have a key. Those keys are obtained and resold as "new", even though they are actually OEM keys.
I bought the MS Office version of this about 3 years ago for my son's laptop, it is still going strong. Not sure I would take the chance with an OS though.
These type of stuff has been all over for long time, I have been buying anti virus-Office-windows 7, 10 etc and all works fine for years. some do require more effort and some is cut and dry copy and paste but so far so good.
Most often these keys are what's called VLKs or Volume License Keys. These are keys that large companies buy, so that they can image one PC and have it work across all devices. For example Ben's Bargains University buys a VLK for 10,000 computers. A single key works for all 10,000 machines.
The second way these keys are acquired are by machines that are no longer in service. You know those "genuine stickers" you see on new computers? They have a key. Those keys are obtained and resold as "new", even though they are actually OEM keys.
It doesn't work like that anymore. Those large licenses are issued a license server connect to the enterprise AD. As long as a computer is connected to the active directory the license is valid. There are no alphanumerical licenses anymore.
I don't know this particular vendor, but I bought one and it worked fine (cost $10.42). I suspect that once Microsoft has registered your key, you'll be fine for as long as you have the machine. The one possibility of failure is if you crash and burn and have to reinstall Windows. If Microsoft has figured out that your key is illegal, it won't activate.. One of the old ways to get a free license was to copy it off a machine that came with Windows preinstalled, and use it. The key you got off the machine had never been used because the OEM used a single key for all its machines (of a certain vintage). Microsoft finally put a stopper in that, so that keys acquired in that manner stopped working. Most Windows 10 keys are embedded in the BIOS and trying to use one of them will not work on another machine.
Here's where I buy all my keys SCDKey. Example just bought latest Microsoft office and it included a windows 10 pro 64 Bit key for $40. They always have the best prices.
These keys are not illegal. Microsoft wants every single computer in the world to run their software, but there are a lot of poor countries.... So obviously they don't charge the same price for their software in a 3rd world country as they do in the United States. The keys are originally purchased for those poorer places.
It sure seems that NOBODY knows where these keys come from, or what the consequences of using them is going to be. A lot of "I know of someone that knows someone who's friend knew someone that bought a key like this and it WORKED!", is not a motivator for me.
These keys are illegal; it's stealing. They are either keygen keys or not licensed for the purpose for which they are being sold. Whether or not you can get away with the crime is a different matter but their use is a crime (software piracy).
That being said there are legal uses for them. For example, if you want to run a virtual Windows 7 installation under Windows 10 Pro, that IS legal as the host's EULA licenses the VM. Microsoft will not supply you with a Windows 7 key but, no matter how you acquire it, use of that key is legal.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvwjq3Zi3wE
In some cases, the keys come from a 3rd world country, but in many cases, it's just difficult to know where they originate.
The second way these keys are acquired are by machines that are no longer in service. You know those "genuine stickers" you see on new computers? They have a key. Those keys are obtained and resold as "new", even though they are actually OEM keys.
These type of stuff has been all over for long time, I have been buying anti virus-Office-windows 7, 10 etc and all works fine for years. some do require more effort and some is cut and dry copy and paste but so far so good.
The second way these keys are acquired are by machines that are no longer in service. You know those "genuine stickers" you see on new computers? They have a key. Those keys are obtained and resold as "new", even though they are actually OEM keys.
It doesn't work like that anymore. Those large licenses are issued a license server connect to the enterprise AD. As long as a computer is connected to the active directory the license is valid. There are no alphanumerical licenses anymore.
I don't know this particular vendor, but I bought one and it worked fine (cost $10.42). I suspect that once Microsoft has registered your key, you'll be fine for as long as you have the machine. The one possibility of failure is if you crash and burn and have to reinstall Windows. If Microsoft has figured out that your key is illegal, it won't activate..
One of the old ways to get a free license was to copy it off a machine that came with Windows preinstalled, and use it. The key you got off the machine had never been used because the OEM used a single key for all its machines (of a certain vintage). Microsoft finally put a stopper in that, so that keys acquired in that manner stopped working. Most Windows 10 keys are embedded in the BIOS and trying to use one of them will not work on another machine.
It sure seems that NOBODY knows where these keys come from, or what the consequences of using them is going to be. A lot of "I know of someone that knows someone who's friend knew someone that bought a key like this and it WORKED!", is not a motivator for me.
With that said...just an FYI...
I was able to upgrade my really old Dell Windows 7 OEM to Windows 10 for free. I just did the upgrade from the web and it never asked for a key.
That being said there are legal uses for them. For example, if you want to run a virtual Windows 7 installation under Windows 10 Pro, that IS legal as the host's EULA licenses the VM. Microsoft will not supply you with a Windows 7 key but, no matter how you acquire it, use of that key is legal.
Thank you!