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They also talk about the veracity of these "cheap keys"
Of course you have to be able to trust the seller. If it's some shady website that's new then they could just be selling you some random letters. I saw in the article about how Newegg doesn't offer refunds for keys but of course not. Someone could just buy it, activate my Windows, then demand a refund saying it doesn't work. Instant free Windows.
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It is perfectly legal in EU (and UK) to sell the OEM license after one has sold the computer. By the EU law, the operating system license is tied to the hardware only on the initial sale and becomes a self-contained, individual object of sale afterwards. Owner may sell it as he pleases, as long as the hardware the license was initially tied to has been sold separately and does not entertain this very license.
That's interesting. I wonder how Microsoft does activation on different hardware if they're required to do so by law?
 
Did I say that? No, I did not. However I can all but guarantee that your key is not legitimate.

Of you paid anything less enabled $79 for Windows 10 Home then the chances are high it's a fraudulent key. If you paid less than $19 then it's an absolute given.

Feel free to attempt to justify this to yourself if you want. That won't change any of the facts though.

If you feel so gosh darned sure it's legit then feel free to run
Code:
slmgr /dli
in an elevated prompt to see if it's a Licensed Retail key.

Ahem.... US$10, ESD, bought online, Windows 10 Pro.

Ran slmgr /dli just for you:

Annotation 2020-05-10 003407.png


So I say if you paid more than $10 you got ripped off :)
 
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