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As I have done in the recent past, today I purchased a Windows 10 Pro product key on Amazon for $189 and the email I received from Amazon contained a 25-character product key, however unlike the product keys I have received in the past (which are a mix of letters and numbers) the key I received today is entirely digits, with no letters. When I try to enter this product key I receive an error code "Some of these characters can't appear in the product key". Apparently, the number "1" is not an acceptable character in a product key, yet the product key I received through Amazon has four "1"s.
What's the deal?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Dave,
I can't comprehend how this could have happened. I used the same product link on Amazon that I have used in the past (in fact I went to my Order history and clicked the link to a previous order) where just 2 weeks ago I purchased 2 valid product keys.
How can Amazon be a platform for illegitimate Windows product keys? I can't imagine Amazon hasn't closed any security breach. How is this possible??
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Hi, Matt,
Microsoft warns at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Shop....
Beware of Product Keys Sold Separately
With the exception of Product Key Cards (PKC’s) distributed with COA’s, Microsoft does not distribute products keys as standalone products. If you see a listing on an auction site, online classified ad, or other online page advertising product keys for sale, it’s a good indication that the keys are likely stolen or counterfeit. If you were to purchase and use a stolen or counterfeit product key to activate Windows installed on your PC, the key may not work for activation, may already be in use on another PC, or it might be blocked from use later by Microsoft when the key is reported stolen.
Sad to say but you may be a victim of unfair men.
Hi Matt actually this happens all the time on those websites . . .
Contact the seller, and try to resolve this, perhaps it is an error . . .
If not, contact Amazon, they must refund your cash and will ban that seller from further use of their services . . .
Hi Matt, that is a non-legit Product Key!
Windows Product Keys are never all numbers and yes the number 1 is not a legitimate character in a Windows Product Key . .
You should contact the seller and block payment on that purchase . . .
