How to check your Windows license type

Question

How to Check Your Exact License Type

To find out exactly what kind of license is keeping your Windows activated:

Press the Windows Key and type cmd.
Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Type slmgr /dli and press Enter.
A pop-up will appear. Check the Description line.
- RETAIL: You purchased it directly or have a transferable key.
- OEM_DM: It came pre-installed on your motherboard by the manufacturer.
- VOLUME_MAK: It is a corporate/work license

I checked one of my Dell. It says VOLUNE_MAK channel

Volume_MAK channel indicates your Windows operating system is activated via a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) meant for businesses, schools, or government organizations.

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

okay great I did it with Window 11 pro.

on the prior Dell PC I first succeeded with 10 Pro activation

then I did a clean Windows 11 pro install

entering the MAK key

first it said can not connect despite Wi-Fi connected to internet

it offered an automated phone activation button which I clicked and opened up a white country window, of course no US included again,

but I restarted the pc, this time it gave red error: can not activate because already used on other device. but I use the old trick again and this time a blue automated phone small windows pops up, and that is a more human friendly normal window that does include US.

I activated Windows 11 Pro in the same manner I did with Windows 7 Pro x64 in last couple of days. sorry bro I consider this is my own solution accepted.

Thanks to Chino who helped a lot.

redxps630 · Answer

In settings>update&security>activation this Dell just says 'Windows is activated' no details  whereas my other Dells often say 'Windows is activated with a digital license'

Chino de Oro · Answer

As long as it's not KMS key, it is not good, must be renewed every 180 days. If you must reinstall Windows, you will need to run KMS activation from the host server.

While the system with digital license will be activated when online.

redxps630 · Answer

I have an apparently good soft copy of a Windows 10 Pro key and a real physical card of Windows 10 home key. I prefer pro. when I used the Pro key my Dells said cannot activate because the key was already used on another device. I am experimenting other ways to have Dell take this Pro key. It worked for me on one Dell laptop but I could not recall exactly how I did it. I think it was an MAK key. I will keep trying

(edited)

Chino de Oro · Answer

Check your inbox.

redxps630 · Answer

thanks. I did it again for Windows 10 Pro. it is like magic. MS certainly knows how to hide things. I first had Win 11 on a KMS license which I want to change to MAK. I was somehow able to open up the automated phone option after entering the key. but MS mysteriously listed all the countries in the world except US? Is it intentionally trying to frustrate US user? the country names begins with albania and ends with panama. read through the list twice no us lol. so I picked canada thinking that was what our potus considered future us. typed in installation id, got the confirmation id, but no go, it says can not activate, ask my administrator? really.

so I tried win 10 25H2. SLUI 4 no response (MS is said to have removed that option), but after typing in MAK key, it says no the license already used on other device. come on that is what MSK key is. it is supposed to deploy on multiple devices. A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) is a Microsoft volume licensing method that allows organizations to activate multiple devices using a single key. so might as well try the old trick again. and this time magically the automated service small window shows up and United States is present. go it activated now.

redxps630 · Answer

after it worked for 2-3 times, this trick failed on a Dell Inspiron 3650. not sure why. every time it auto launches the white auto phone window which is dreadful.

update: now my smartphone activate using the MS link is blocked.

The request is blocked.

I have to use desktop to go on the activation link which still works. looks like MS is trying hard to block what they do not like seeing user activating Windows using telephone/text method.

Optiplex Desktops

How to check your Windows license type

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