Windows 10 ESD, OEM, OEI, Retail, GGK, VL what's the difference?

Windows 10 ESD, OEM, OEI, Retail, GGK, VL what's the difference?

We often hear about ESD, OEM and Retail licenses, but what are these licenses really? What's their difference? Can anyone downgrade?

First of all there are not only OEM and Retail, but: OEM, OEI, Retail, GGK, VL, MAK, KMS, MSDN, Refurbished etc.
Some sold digitally (ESD), some boxed, others in both ways. Let's see them together:

Windows 10 OEM

There is a lot of confusion about this license and it is often confused with the OEI license. The true OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license is a license sold with the PC. It is only used by System Builders with Microsoft.
These license keys are digital and integrated into the BIOS of the computer together with the serial of the PC. Often System Builders always use the same Windows 10 code (see DELL, ASUS, ACER etc.). For computers that are born with Windows 10, we find only a Microsoft holographic stamp of originality in front of the PC, without the license key. It cannot be sold separately and the only way to have it is combined with a PC.
Only System Builders can, through a national distributor, (list at the bottom of the article) have access to these types of contracts to integrate license keys on PCs.
The OEM license of Windows 10 Pro allows the legal downgrade to a previous Pro version of Windows (Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro). For instructions on how to downgrade properly, just contact your PC manufacturer.

The holographic sticker present on the Computers as shown in the image has various anti-forgery and anti-tampering features.

Windows 10 OEI or DSP OEI

Often when we hear and read about OEM license we are actually talking about an OEI (Delivery Service Partners Original Equipment Installation).
A license that can be purchased individually to combine it with a PC. The license is linked to the machine and once activated it is possible to reactivate it only on the same PC. The OEI license is a license that must be purchased by the assemblers who will include it with the PC.
The OEI licenses are sold in the DVD package + label with the product key code (commonly called COA).
The support is operated by the PC manufacturer, not Microsoft.
The Windows 10 Pro OEI license allows for a legal downgrade to an older Pro version of Windows (Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro). For instructions on how to properly downgrade, just contact the PC manufacturer.
ATTENTION to those who only sell you the COA label, these only label licenses are not original. DSP OEI licenses are sold paired with DVD + sticker, while COA labels alone are not legitimate licenses and as such cannot be resold as legitimate Microsoft software.

With the latest versions of Microsoft's CD or DVD products, additional optical security features are visible on both sides of the disc, near the inner hole and along the outer edge. These features are built into the disc: it is not a sticker. When the disc is turned upside down, the text or numbers are visible as a mirror image on the opposite side.

Here is the link to buy it from us:

Windows 10 Retail or FFP Retail

A license that can be freely purchased by everyone in an ESD digital version, or in a boxed version with USB.
It allows those who buy it to install Windows 10 on their computer with the possibility of transferring the license to another machine .
The support can be done by the vendor, or by Microsoft itself.
The Retail license does NOT allow downgrading to a previous version of Windows in any way.

The Certificate of Authenticity label, applied to the outside of the end user software packages, describes the product and indicates the country it is intended for use and the country of origin. The label has the following anti-counterfeiting characteristics:

1) Holographic functionality

2) Color Change Functionality

Here is the link to buy it from us:

Windows 10 Pro Retail HAV-00060 USB FPP P2 32-64 bit English International May 2020 Update (2004) Microsoft Corporation - 1 Windows 10 Pro Retail HAV-00060 USB FPP P2 32-64 bit English International May 2020 Update (2004) Microsoft Corporation - 1 2

Windows 10 Pro Retail HAV-00060 USB FPP P2 32-64 bit English International May 2020 Update (2004)

HAV-00060
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Box Retail FPP P2 May 2020 Update (2004) 32/64 bit Version Retail HAV-00060 ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL Microsoft Windows 10 on USB Disk ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL (with the possibility to change the Windows language) EAN: 0889842533989 It is NOT possible to downgrade to Windows 8.1 / 8 / 7 We are Microsoft Partners, click here and...
Out-of-Stock
€105.74
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Windows 10 GGK

We come now to the lesser known one, the GGK (Get Genuine Kit).
This is used to make a counterfeit or unlicensed version of Windows original. A simple and effective solution that includes, like the OEI version, a DVD and a COA label to be affixed to the PC.
The GGK license, like an OEI license, is not transferable and is linked to the machine.
The support is provided directly by Microsoft.
The GGK license does NOT allow in any way to downgrade to a previous version of Windows.

For anti-counterfeiting, the same rules apply as for OEI versions, on the latest versions of Microsoft products on CD or DVD, additional optical security features are visible on both sides of the disc, near the inner hole and along the outer edge. These features are built into the disc: it is not a sticker. When the disc is turned upside down, the text or numbers are visible as a mirror image on the opposite side.

Here is the link to buy it from us:

VL Licenses

Then we have the VL licenses (Volume License) are licenses with various types of contract (Open License, Education etc.). Depending on the type of company, school or public administration, they are digital licenses for which the customer, through a distributor or partner, enters into a contract to receive product keys of the products concerned for the agreed number of machines.
For a Volume Licensing contract, tailor-made estimates are made, while the end customer always receives access to the Microsoft Volume Licensing site from which to download the Software and activation keys.
ATTENTION: The customer always receives his access codes to the Microsoft Volume Licensing site.

You cannot receive Volume Licensing keys without accessing the Microsoft site. Volume Licensing keys are divided into two types:

  • MAK keys They are serial reusable several times depending on the number of licenses purchased for more computers. Each MAK key has a counter on the Volume Licensing site which indicates the number of installations made.
  • KMS keys Not to be confused with software used to hack windows. They are serial that need a centralized client server to be managed and installed. The customer thus has the ability to activate a specific number of workstations and to deactivate, when necessary, a workstation to free the license and move it to another machine.

The Windows 10 Pro VL licenses only allow the legal downgrade to a previous Pro version of Windows with the addition of the Software Assurance option. For instructions on how to downgrade properly, just contact your Microsoft Partner.

MSDN Licenses

(Microsoft Developer Network) are licenses for professionals, advantageous in price, can only be used by Microsoft partners for internal and demonstration use.

Windows 10 Refurbishment

These are licenses that we find on Computers remanufactured by Microsoft Refurbishment Partners and are licenses that bind to the machine to replace the original OEM which is often Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Summarizing the types

Windows 10 OEM

  • Individuals find them in pre-assembled PCs
  • only System Builders can purchase them to integrate them into PCs
  • it is tied to the machine
  • it has no packaging, the product key is in the bios
  • with Windows 10 Pro it is possible to downgrade to a previous version of Windows

Windows 10 OEI

  • private individuals can find them in pre-assembled PCs or by buying the DVD + COA box
  • they can be purchased from a Microsoft distributor or reseller
  • binds to the machine
  • DVD box + COA label with Microsoft OEI contract on the back of the box
  • with Windows 10 Pro it is possible to downgrade to a previous version of Windows

Windows 10 GGK

  • bought from a Microsoft Partner
  • they can be purchased from a Microsoft distributor or reseller
  • it binds to the machine you want to legalize
  • DVD box + COA label with Microsoft GGK contract on the back of the box
  • no chance to downgrade

Windows 10 Retail

  • you buy them from a reseller or Microsoft Partner
  • they can be purchased from a Microsoft distributor or reseller
  • you can change the PC as many times as you want
  • FFP Retail package with USB microsoft and cardboard with serial
  • ESD digital sale of the product key
  • no chance to downgrade

VL Licenses

  • buying it from a Microsoft Partner who will act as an intermediary to create a tailor-made contract
  • by purchasing it from a Microsoft Distributor who will act as a link to create a bespoke contract
  • MAK keys will be consumed with the number of activations. KMS keys allow you to change the PCs on which they are installed
  • Download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing site
  • Ability to downgrade with the purchase of Software Assurance

What does ESD license mean?

An ESD license is a license delivered digitally by mail, it is the alternative to the boxed license where a DVD or USB is sent to us.

How do I check the reliability of the seller?

Microsoft licenses can only be sold by Authorized Sales Partners.

To find out the list of sales partners just go to the site

https://www.microsoft.com/it-it/solution-providers/home

Be wary of vendors who are not in the Microsoft directory, or who cannot prove to you that they are Microsoft Resellers / Partners.

Each Partner and Reseller has a page on the Microsoft site, or has an MPN Partner Code. Each license must come from a Partner (who may have purchased it from another Partner or from a Microsoft distributor) Each Sales Partner can always sell all types of licenses, even the Retail and GGKs of their home country and can always offer you a VL contract.

Be wary of resellers who cannot in any way offer you all types of licenses. Even if they don't normally sell them, I can always give you a quote, even if it might not be convenient.

What is the downgrade right?

Some Windows 10 Pro licenses allow you to downgrade to Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro while maintaining your license to continue using programs not yet optimized for Windows 10.

Then when the program is updated and is fully compatible with Windows 10, you can go back to Windows 10 Pro without having to pay any extra. Downgrade rights are difficult to understand because there is often confusion between versions, so let's try to clarify.

First, all Windows 10 Pro licenses including the Software Assurance package can downgrade. After Assurance, all Windows 10 Pro OEM and OEI licenses can be downgraded.

Only the GGK licenses and the Retail licenses that do not allow the version downgrade in any way remain outside this discussion. To downgrade, and receive the serial of the previous version, there are several procedures, but all refer to the manufacturer and the retailer who will be able to guide you step by step.

You can read more about downgrade rights on the official Microsoft website:

https://download.microsoft.com/download/ 6/8/9 / 68964284-864d-4a6d-aed9-f2c1f8f23e14 / downgrade_rights.pdf

I bought a license that does not activate the first time is it pirated?

Before yelling at the fake, you need to figure out if you've followed the correct procedure.

If the serial does not activate Windows you must first call the retailer and ask for support, in fact, there are many activation errors that are not related to the code, but simply to overloaded or unreachable servers, missing network drivers, or as it happens often, remnants of system hacking software that do not allow Windows to activate correctly.

Call the dealer, ask him for explanations, who will be able to give you all the necessary explanations.

If the answers don't convince you, ask the reseller for proof that he is a Microsoft Partner.

Are all Windows 10 Pro licenses okay for upgrading from Windows 10 Home?

Each Windows 10 Pro serial allows you to upgrade from a Home version, problems and strange error codes may arise during the upgrade, to solve most of these, just disconnect the computer from the network when you upgrade and this will go smoothly.

After the upgrade, you can reconnect the network and the PC will activate with the version of Windows 10 Pro. A guide on how to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro:

https://support.microsoft.com/it-it/ help / 12384 / windows-10-upgrading-home-to-pro

Do all Windows 10 licenses allow you to change the language without reinstalling the operating system?

There is only one version limited to a single language, specifically Windows 10 Home Single Language Edition. Once installed this version cannot change language. The Windows 10 Home Single Language Edition is pre-installed on many stationary computers of major distribution brands. While all notebooks with Windows 10 Home and all other versions of Windows can change language directly from the Windows settings.

How do I check the list of Microsoft distributors?

If you are an IT company you can buy directly from Microsoft distributors

https://devicepartner.microsoft.com/en-us/connect/distributor

Beware of sites that claim to be Microsoft distributors, distributors only sell to companies in the sector, never to individuals and are always contactable from the link above to sell to companies in their country.

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