If you are considering a Windows 11 Pro licence and see widely varying prices, pause for a moment: the offers are not all the same. At Licensgo, we sell genuine licences with digital product key delivery by email and business invoices. Here we clearly explain the difference between OEM and Retail, with practical examples to help you choose.
1Why the same Windows has very different prices
The reason is simple: different licence types have different rules. Two common models are OEM and Retail. Each has different transfer restrictions, support and pricing, which explains why a key for the same software can cost much less or much more.
- a licence tied to the hardware (less expensive);
- a licence tied to the user (more expensive but transferable).
Price is not the only indicator of reliability: always check that the licence is genuine and comes with an invoice.
2OEM — tied to the PC
An OEM licence is designed to be tied to the hardware of the first PC on which it is activated. It is common on prebuilt PCs and through lower-cost sales channels.
If you replace the motherboard or PC, OEM activation cannot be transferred: the system may display messages such as ‘licence not found’, and you will need to buy a new licence to reactivate Windows.
- tied to the motherboard;
- valid for one device only;
- less expensive but not transferable.
If you plan frequent motherboard upgrades, avoid OEM: you will lose activation.
3Retail — the licence follows you
A Retail licence is sold to an individual user: you can uninstall it from one PC and reactivate it on another, with only one active installation at a time. This explains the higher price, and Microsoft provides direct support for transfers and activation problems.
- transferable between PCs (only one active installation);
- more expensive but ideal if you change devices;
- direct Microsoft support for activation.
Keep the product key and details of the associated Microsoft account to make transfers easier.
4Which licence suits you
Choose according to your needs: if you will keep your PC for a long time, such as a desktop you rarely upgrade or a laptop you will use for years, an OEM licence can be cost-effective. If you change PCs often, replace components in custom builds or want the freedom to transfer your licence, choose Retail.
- frequently changing PCs or using custom builds: Retail;
- a PC or laptop you will keep for years: OEM.
Weigh the cost of a new licence against the benefit of transferability: for many users, Retail only makes sense if they expect to change devices at least once.
5How to activate Windows 11 Pro bought from Licensgo
After purchase, you receive the product key by email within minutes. To activate, open Settings › System › Activation › Change product key and enter the key you received. If needed, our support team can also guide you by email or through our contact form.
If you have questions about activation or encounter errors, see our practical activation and troubleshooting guide: Activate Windows 10 Pro: legitimate methods and activation troubleshooting.
If activation through the interface fails, try the activation troubleshooter in Settings › System › Activation.
6How to recognise a reliable seller
A reliable seller offers genuine licences, immediate product key delivery by email, business invoices and after-sales support. Licensgo provides all of these, with a choice of Microsoft Windows 11 Professional and alternatives such as Microsoft Windows 11 Home. Always check the product before purchasing.
To protect your data and settings before changing PCs, read our backup best practices: Practical backups: quick strategies to avoid data loss.
- genuine licence and digital key delivery;
- invoices for businesses and VAT-registered customers;
- support in English, by email or through our contact form.
If the price is well below market rates, check the licence type (OEM vs Retail) and whether an invoice is included: this often explains the difference.
