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Confusion between retail and oem boxes.

Anonymous
2020-09-28T05:46:41+00:00

When buying physical box of the Windows 10, how do you tell if it's Retail or OEM version? Is there a code or wording I should watch out for? I have seen image of the packaging online but there's no OEM or Retail labeling on the box. I can only check the version via cmd which defeats the purpose.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-17T20:48:32+00:00

    Is there any way to tell the difference from the box?  Many sellers do not indicate which version, and I would like to know how to determine this before I purchase and install it.

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  2. Lester Bernard Reyes 80,290 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-09-28T06:56:06+00:00

    Hi and thanks for reaching out. My name is Bernard. I'm a Microsoft Windows expert and a Microsoft Windows fan like you. I'll be happy to help you out today.

    Technically all genuine product key sold by Microsoft that comes in box is a retail key, those product keys are transferrable if ever the device is faulty, while OEM product keys are the one pre-installed on the PC when you purchase a computer with Windows 10 installed in it.

    Usually third party retailers are offering OEM keys, but take note these are non-transferrable keys.

    Let me know how does it goes and I hope that helps.

    Bernard

    Independent Advisor

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