1 – Verify Activation Windows: To verify if your Windows product key is genuine, you can check your activation status in Windows settings or use Command Prompt to view license information. A genuine key will show Windows as “activated” with a digital license, or with a digital license linked to your account,
Use Command Prompt:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type
slmgr /dliand press Enter. - A pop-up window will display details about your Windows license, including its status (activated) and whether it’s OEM or Retail.
- You can also use
slmgr /dlvfor more detailed information.
2 – Verify Activation Office: To verify if your Office product key is genuine, you can check for the key within your account, on the product packaging, or by using the Genuine Software checker tool.
Check via CMD (Command Prompt):
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKeyand press Enter. - If the product key is stored in the BIOS/UEFI, it will be displayed.
3. Check the Current License Status
- Use the following command in the Command Prompt, replacing the path with the correct one for your setup:
cscript “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS” /dstatus
- This command will display information about your Office license, including the last 5 characters of your product key.
4. Remove the Product Key (Non Working keys):
- Use the following command, replacing
<LAST 5 CHARACTERS>with the actual last 5 characters of your product key: - cscript “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS” /unpkey:<LAST 5 CHARACTERS>
- Run the
/dstatuscommand again to confirm that the product key is no longer listed.
- You can also open an Office application (like Word or Excel) to see if it prompts you to activate Office, indicating the key has been successfully removed, according to Top Password.
6. OEM Vs Retail License Key: The main difference is transferability and support. An OEM license is cheaper but tied to the first computer it’s installed on, cannot be transferred to new hardware, and is supported by the hardware manufacturer. A retail license is more expensive but can be transferred to a new PC and receives direct support from .
- Intended for: System builders who manufacture and sell PCs, like Dell or HP.
- Cost: Cheaper than retail licenses because they are bought in bulk and don’t include direct support.
- Transferability: Not transferable. Once activated on a computer, the license is permanently tied to that hardware.
- Support: Supported by the computer’s manufacturer (the OEM).
- How to check: Run
slmgr /dliin the Command Prompt and look for “OEM channel” or “OEM” in the license type.
- Intended for: Individual users and small businesses.
- Cost: More expensive because it’s a full-price version.
- Transferability: Transferable. You can uninstall it from one PC and activate it on a new PC, as long as it’s only used on one PC at a time.
- Choose OEM if: You are buying a new computer with Windows already installed, and you do not plan to move your license to a different PC in the future.
- Choose Retail if: You want the flexibility to transfer your Windows license to a new computer, or if you prefer direct support .
Some retail licenses (like Windows or Office 365) can be linked to your account.
Once bound, you can transfer the license to another PC (if permitted by the license type) or reactivate after hardware changes.
📌 Example: A Windows 10 Home retail license bought online is activated on a laptop and bound to both the laptop’s hardware and the account used during setup.
8- To check the your system configuration on a Windows computer using the Run command :
Open the Run dialog box (Windows key + R). Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
This will open the System Information window, which provides detailed information organized into categories like System Summary,Hardware Resources, Components, and Software Environment.
9- Windows Home to Pro upgrade key: (Only Upgrade)
VD4D4-NDBGX-MTQ2D-G2D9B-F9CKG
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
| Feature | Internet Activation | Telephone Activation |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Online via servers | Call and follow prompts |
| Speed | Fast (usually seconds) | Slower (can take several minutes) |
| Internet Required | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Human Involvement | ❌ None (automated) | ☎️ May involve automated system or live agent |
| Use Case | Most common for personal users | Often used when internet is not available or online activation fails |
| Process | System contacts servers to verify the key and activate the product | User gives an Installation ID and receives a Confirmation ID to enter manually |
| Retries Allowed | Limited retries before lockout | Usually more flexible |
| Security Level | Secure (encrypted transmission) | Also secure (verbal/visual confirmation) |
| Supported Versions | All modern products | All, including legacy systems (XP, Office 2010, etc.) |
