Legitimate Software Licensing — What You Need to Know
At SoftLicenseDeals, we believe every customer deserves to know exactly what they are buying. This page explains how software licensing works, what makes a license legitimate, and why our keys are 100% genuine Microsoft licenses.
What is a Software License?
A software license is a legal agreement between the software publisher (in this case, Microsoft) and the end user. When you buy a Windows or Office license key, you are purchasing the right to use that software under the terms Microsoft sets — not the software itself.
This is why a genuine license key is valuable: it grants you permanent, legal access to the software and all its features, backed by Microsoft’s own activation infrastructure.
Types of Legitimate Microsoft Licenses
Retail Licenses
Retail licenses are sold directly to consumers. They are transferable — if you decommission one PC, you can move the license to a new machine. These are the licenses sold in physical boxes at stores like Best Buy or directly through Microsoft’s website.
OEM Licenses
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses are designed for PC builders and system integrators. They are permanently tied to the first device they activate and cannot be transferred. OEM licenses carry the same full software features as Retail — just without transferability.
Volume Licenses (MAK)
Volume licenses are sold through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing programs to businesses and authorized resellers. A MAK (Multiple Activation Key) allows multiple activations from a single key and supports offline activation. These are the licenses used by enterprises, IT departments and authorized resellers worldwide.
Subscription Licenses (Microsoft 365)
Subscription licenses like Microsoft 365 provide access to the latest Office apps on an annual or monthly basis. These are cloud-based and require renewal to maintain access.
How Do We Source Our Licenses?
SoftLicenseDeals sources licenses through authorized volume licensing channels. Our licenses are genuine Microsoft products that activate through Microsoft’s own servers — the same activation infrastructure used by enterprise customers worldwide.
When you activate a key purchased from SoftLicenseDeals:
- Your request goes directly to Microsoft’s activation servers
- Microsoft validates the key as genuine
- Your software is activated permanently (for perpetual licenses)
- You receive the same software experience as any retail customer
Is It Legal to Buy Software Keys from a Reseller?
Yes. The resale of genuine software licenses is legal in most jurisdictions worldwide, including the United States and the European Union. The EU Court of Justice confirmed in UsedSoft v Oracle (2012) that the resale of used software licenses is legal under the principle of exhaustion of rights. Similar legal frameworks apply in the US under the first-sale doctrine.
What matters is that the license is genuine — meaning it was originally issued by Microsoft and activates through Microsoft’s official servers. All licenses sold by SoftLicenseDeals meet this standard.
How to Verify Your License is Genuine
After activating your Windows or Office key, you can verify its legitimacy in minutes:
Verify Windows Activation
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Run:
slmgr /xpr - A genuine retail or OEM key will show: “The machine is permanently activated”
- A genuine MAK key will also show permanent activation
Verify Office Activation
- Open any Office application (Word, Excel, etc.)
- Go to File → Account
- Under Product Information, you should see “Product Activated”
- The license type and edition will be displayed
Red Flags — How to Spot an Illegitimate Key
- ❌ Prices too low to be genuine — a Windows 11 Pro retail key for $2 is not legitimate. Genuine volume licenses have a floor price below which resale is not viable
- ❌ Keys that activate initially but deactivate later — these are often keys sourced from stolen enterprise agreements that Microsoft eventually revokes
- ❌ No business identity or contact information — anonymous sellers on marketplace platforms carry high risk
- ❌ No replacement or refund policy — legitimate resellers stand behind their products
- ❌ KMS activation instead of MAK — some sellers provide KMS tools that activate Windows without a real key. This is illegal and will fail when Microsoft detects it
Why SoftLicenseDeals is a Trusted Source
- ✅ 100% genuine Microsoft licenses — all keys activate via Microsoft’s official servers
- ✅ Permanent activation — not KMS tools or workarounds
- ✅ Money back guarantee — if your key doesn’t work and we can’t resolve it
- ✅ Real business with real support — contact us at contact@softlicensedeals.com
- ✅ Instant digital delivery — keys sent to your email within 0–2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions About Software Licensing
Can I use a volume license key for personal use?
Technically yes — volume license keys activate the same software as retail keys. However, they are designed for business deployment and are not transferable between devices.
What happens if Microsoft deactivates my key?
If a key purchased from SoftLicenseDeals is ever deactivated, contact us immediately. We will provide a replacement key at no charge. This is covered by our money back guarantee.
Are MAK keys the same as KMS keys?
No. MAK (Multiple Activation Key) and KMS (Key Management Service) are both volume licensing methods, but they work differently. MAK keys activate permanently against Microsoft’s servers. KMS requires a KMS server and reactivates every 180 days. Legitimate resellers sell MAK keys — not KMS tools.
Is buying a second-hand software license legal?
Yes, in most countries. The EU Court of Justice ruling in UsedSoft v Oracle (2012) established the legality of reselling used software licenses in the EU. In the US, the first-sale doctrine provides similar protections. Always verify that your reseller provides genuine, Microsoft-validated licenses.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact our support team.