Could I reuse a written down Windows 11 Home OEM key on the same computer after switching to Pro incase I need to downgrade?

[Parroty69]

I’ve recently bought a Windows 11 Pro key, but I am not sure about the reliability of this key so I want to have the option of downgrading if the key doesn’t work or expires after a certain amount of time like a Volume licensing key. I want to write down the original OEM key and incase I need to downgrade, use it again. It technically doesn’t violate OEM terms since I’m using it on the same computer right?

 

[punkncat]

If you purchased it as a separate key code I think you should be fine. If you purchased it as an "upgrade" code then perhaps not.

Think it might be prudent to be sure that key is tied to your MS account and then "remove" it before updating and installing the pro version. I am not sure what part Hardware ID could play in this.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Where did you buy the key? If you bought it from Microsoft or a major retailer that sells PCs, then there's nothing to worry about the reliability of the key. If you bought it anywhere else, like say eBay, Kinguin, etc. then I wouldn't even bother using the key.

Regarding OEM licenses, they live with the motherboard you activated the computer on. It doesn't matter if you activated another license on the same motherboard. You just can't take the license elsewhere.

 

[punkncat]

Where did you buy the key? If you bought it from Microsoft or a major retailer that sells PCs, then there's nothing to worry about the reliability of the key. If you bought it anywhere else, like say eBay, Kinguin, etc. then I wouldn't even bother using the key.

I find it a bit funny how many of the YT influencers out there have changed their mind about this aspect. A couple of years ago it was very few of them that would suggest using a grey market key. At that time a majority of the influencers would 'gang up' (as it were) about the irresponsible nature of such and such reviewer making that suggestion.
Fast forward to now and it is truly astonishing how many of those same influencers are accepting money from, being sponsored by, offering discount codes for said grey market keys. Even in some cases going to the trouble to create a contrived situation like "calling MS" to try and show how it's ok to do so.

It has been apparent for some time that MS is aware of the situation, but the current reaction appears to be that they care more about the data mining coming out of more people being on their OS, than the money spent on the license. It goes to show that the metadata is far more profitable.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I find it a bit funny how many of the YT influencers out there have changed their mind about this aspect. A couple of years ago it was very few of them that would suggest using a grey market key. At that time a majority of the influencers would 'gang up' (as it were) about the irresponsible nature of such and such reviewer making that suggestion.
Fast forward to now and it is truly astonishing how many of those same influencers are accepting money from, being sponsored by, offering discount codes for said grey market keys. Even in some cases going to the trouble to create a contrived situation like "calling MS" to try and show how it's ok to do so.

It has been apparent for some time that MS is aware of the situation, but the current reaction appears to be that they care more about the data mining coming out of more people being on their OS, than the money spent on the license. It goes to show that the metadata is far more profitable.

I would argue that this isn't a recent thing about Microsoft not caring about people trying to either not pay for a license or getting it cheaper.

Yes you could say now it's about data mining, but more importantly for a software company, it's about market share and relevance. If people only know how to use Windows, that keeps them from using Linux or macOS because unless something really egregious happens, it's very hard to change once you're in one thing. And if people only know how to use Windows, then large volume customers will be pretty much forced to buy Windows machines.

Also it's more cost effective to gut a company of its money than it is to go after grandma because she didn't know her grandson installed Windows with an iffy key.

 

[USAFRet]

I find it a bit funny how many of the YT influencers out there have changed their mind about this aspect. A couple of years ago it was very few of them that would suggest using a grey market key. At that time a majority of the influencers would 'gang up' (as it were) about the irresponsible nature of such and such reviewer making that suggestion.
Fast forward to now and it is truly astonishing how many of those same influencers are accepting money from, being sponsored by, offering discount codes for said grey market keys. Even in some cases going to the trouble to create a contrived situation like "calling MS" to try and show how it's ok to do so.

It has been apparent for some time that MS is aware of the situation, but the current reaction appears to be that they care more about the data mining coming out of more people being on their OS, than the money spent on the license. It goes to show that the metadata is far more profitable.

The utubers have been shilling the cheap keys for a LONG time.
Why? Because they're getting paid for it.

 

[punkncat]

I would argue that this isn't a recent thing about Microsoft not caring about people trying to either not pay for a license or getting it cheaper.

Yes you could say now it's about data mining, but more importantly for a software company, it's about market share and relevance. If people only know how to use Windows, that keeps them from using Linux or macOS because unless something really egregious happens, it's very hard to change once you're in one thing. And if people only know how to use Windows, then large volume customers will be pretty much forced to buy Windows machines.

Also it's more cost effective to gut a company of its money than it is to go after grandma because she didn't know her grandson installed Windows with an iffy key.

As a side argument to that point, and I am not saying you are wrong, but IF this was the case in entirety, why would MS be limiting the hardware compatibility the way they are with 11?

Instant knee jerk reaction is to say they want to sell more hardware in the interests of their partners in OEM.
People in the know are already aware that certain aspects of the hardware limitations are purely needless in regard to the capabilities of much of the older equipment rendered obsolete by them.

In my own way of consideration, I think MS is doing Linux a HUGE service. Of course, as to "market share and relevance" knowledge base, I myself am a victim of acquaintance to what I have been working with. I am far more familiar with Windows than Linux. I have been trying to learn but not very proficient.

I think you make a strong case, either way.

 

[USAFRet]

I’ve recently bought a Windows 11 Pro key, but I am not sure about the reliability of this key so I want to have the option of downgrading if the key doesn’t work or expires after a certain amount of time like a Volume licensing key. I want to write down the original OEM key and incase I need to downgrade, use it again. It technically doesn’t violate OEM terms since I’m using it on the same computer right?

Where did the original Win 11 Home license come from?
Where did the Pro come from?

 

[USAFRet]

why would MS be limiting the hardware compatibility the way they are with 11?

MS was pushing the TPM requirement for years.
The hardware manufacturers pushed back, as in "We're not gonna do that."
MS finally forced the issue.

 

[punkncat]

MS was pushing the TPM requirement for years.
The hardware manufacturers pushed back, as in "We're not gonna do that."
MS finally forced the issue.

As you mention, TPM has been a known variable for years and PC going WELL back past 8th gen are perfectly capable of running with one in place or even just 'turned on'.

 

[hotaru.hino]

As a side argument to that point, and I am not saying you are wrong, but IF this was the case in entirety, why would MS be limiting the hardware compatibility the way they are with 11?

Instant knee jerk reaction is to say they want to sell more hardware in the interests of their partners in OEM.
People in the know are already aware that certain aspects of the hardware limitations are purely needless in regard to the capabilities of much of the older equipment rendered obsolete by them.

The counterpoint to this however is that Microsoft promised Windows 10 updates for another 5 years after Windows 11 launched. By the time Windows 10 update support ends, and assuming system builders stopped offering 7th gen parts in 2018, that's about 7 years of usage of that computer. The only people that would drive a sudden tick in hardware sales are people with FOMO.

And even then, people can still continue to use Windows 10 after update support ends. Also as far as I can tell, this means activation won't sunset either, considering a quick Google search tells me that you can still activate Windows 7. But even if Microsoft shuts down the activation servers, I'm sure someone's figured out how to activate it like they did with XP.

Either way, I have no reason to believe Microsoft will do anything different than they've always been doing in the past 20 years.