[GTO]

Guys, what's a good place to buy a Windows 11 Pro key? I had got one from Amazon for my Macbook 16 Intel and it activated just fine (IIRC, cost 3k). Had even called Microsoft for support once and had no issues at all.

Thanks.

[Guite]

Originally Posted by GTO

Guys, what's a good place to buy a Windows 11 Pro key? I had got one from Amazon for my Macbook 16 Intel and it activated just fine (IIRC, cost 3k). Thanks.

Amazon still remains a good place to buy Microsoft retail and OEM products. I have bought multiple licenses of MS Office and Windows 10: all activated just fine. In your case you can even buy Windows 10, install it and upgrade for free when prompted.

I checked right now and some vendors are selling Windows 11 for Rs 300 or so. That looks fishy. I had spend anywhere between 2500 to 4000 rupees per license.

Funnily enough one seller delivered a printer piece of paper, having qr code and url of a Google form. After filling it, they are supposed to mail your the license to your email address. Why can't they just mail to your Amazon registered mail ID? Anyway, it didn't work, the Google form entry thingy. So I contacted the seller by WhatsApp, who then sent me the license key by WhatsApp.

[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by GTO

Guys, what's a good place to buy a Windows 11 Pro key? I had got one from Amazon for my Macbook 16 Intel and it activated just fine (IIRC, cost 3k). Thanks.

This is a legit website for buying software and game keys internationally.

https://www.g2a.com/

[--gKrish--]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

This is a legit website for buying software and game keys internationally.

https://www.g2a.com/

Redditors are unanimously calling them a scam/grey market resellers. I have come across people selling volume licenses/OEM keys to individuals online. Need to rule this out before giving them any money.

To me, their pricing looks too good to be true for standalone licenses.

[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by --gKrish--

Redditors are unanimously calling them a scam/grey market resellers. I have come across people selling volume licenses/OEM keys to individuals online. Need to rule this out before giving them any money.

To me, their pricing looks too good to be true for standalone licenses.

I have purchased game keys and they all work. Its obvious that they are selling OEM keys which were not supposed to be sold to retail customers. Now if someone wants a legit key then Microsoft store will be the only expensive option. Otherwise if one wants to save money without worrying about its source these may be good bets.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by --gKrish--

Redditors are unanimously calling them a scam/grey market resellers.

…

To me, their pricing looks too good to be true for standalone licenses.

I have purchased game keys from the below site and have had no issues in the past. Should be same for application software keys too. The reviews on the resellers should be a good enough indication of how trustworthy those sellers are.

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

https://www.g2a.com/

[MotoBlip]

There's a safe and free(and open-source) way to activate Windows or Microsoft Office called Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS). I've tried it myself on some test virtual machines, and they work really well. In fact, there have been cases where even official Microsoft support has used this tool to help users with activation issues. So, while I'm not saying you should use it, I just want to mention that it does work and is probably just as legitimate as buying keys online for ₹300-400.

[condor]

I dont think Windows itself will be a problem because the laptops are available with the OS. What I am looking for is a proper licence for MS Office. MS is slowly moving this online subscription based model. But my usage is limited - hence would prefer a stand-alone licence that I can keep using (while hoping version compatibility with files from later versions does not become a problem in due course)

[arnieshwartz]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

This is a legit website for buying software and game keys internationally.

https://www.g2a.com/

I purchased a standalone license for Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2019 for $12.98 that did not work. Contacted the seller (Applkeys) and am yet to receive a response.

For Windows and Office, I have purchased multiple licenses from Kinguin.net and have had zero issues to date.

[arnieshwartz]

Originally Posted by arnieshwartz

I purchased a standalone license via G2A for Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2019 for $12.98 that did not work. Contacted the seller (Applkeys) and am yet to receive a response.

Quick Update: I reached out to the seller, Applkeys, on G2A and they were kind enough to provide a direct URL to download the standalone installer as well as a license key that worked. So not altogether a seamless process as I'd hoped but the after-sales support really helped.

Originally Posted by Guite

I checked right now and some vendors are selling Windows 11 for Rs 300 or so. That looks fishy. I had spend anywhere between 2500 to 4000 rupees per license.

I've had good and bad experiences with such vendors. Some are downright scams whilst others are presumably exploiting loopholes in the activation process with VLKs or whatever. Somewhat of a grey area.

1. The purchase of Adobe Acrobat Pro from Computer Dukan was a scam. The vendor shared a download link of a zip file and I realised it was a cracked version. Windows Defender blocked access suspecting a Trojan and that was that.

2. On the other hand, my purchase of Office 2021 Professional Plus from GlamTech Enterprises was seamless. The only hassle, if you will, was having to deal with the phone activation process.

[Guite]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

This is a legit website for buying software and game keys internationally.

https://www.g2a.com/

That's good to know. I have saved the url for future use and have checked out some software. I will try one small purchase first.

Originally Posted by --gKrish--

I have come across people selling volume licenses/OEM keys to individuals online. Need to rule this out before giving them any money.

As a buyer, in my opinion, I am buying legit software. About the OEM part I think it is between seller and software developer. Microsoft (or Adobe, etc) will very well know the seller. The fact that the seller can sell means there exist some implicit understanding.

Originally Posted by arnieshwartz

2. On the other hand, my purchase of Office 2021 Professional Plus from GlamTech Enterprises was seamless. The only hassle, if you will, was having to deal with the phone activation process.

I never had to do any phone activation for Microsoft products. I either update /upgrade the license information or put it in my Microsoft account. I don't remember all the exact steps, but never had to do phone activation.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by --gKrish--

To me, their pricing looks too good to be true for standalone licenses.

This is an old video, but I doubt anything has changed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oVy1R6bX3Ls&t=324

Besides, there are plenty of alternatives (including open-source) these days if the “official” software doesn’t seem worth it at the developer’s quoted price.

[phamilyman]

My jugaad? friend who then worked in MS, had someone pick up a Win 10 license from the MS Store in MS HQ. Costed INR2k

Two sources I know - YMMV:

Acquaintances have bought office licenses from neowin so may be worth checking out
https://deals.neowin.net/sales/micro...-pro?scsonar=1

Entrepreneur has been pitching the same price to me on Instagram for the longest:
https://store.entrepreneur.com/sales...windows-11-pro
This is a side business of the eponymous mag

Originally Posted by condor

I dont think Windows itself will be a problem because the laptops are available with the OS. What I am looking for is a proper licence for MS Office. MS is slowly moving this online subscription based model. But my usage is limited - hence would prefer a stand-alone licence that I can keep using (while hoping version compatibility with files from later versions does not become a problem in due course)

Condor bhai, they also have office 2021 and 2019. This has been tested by friends.

[skillaft]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

I have purchased game keys and they all work. Its obvious that they are selling OEM keys which were not supposed to be sold to retail customers. Now if someone wants a legit key then Microsoft store will be the only expensive option. Otherwise if one wants to save money without worrying about its source these may be good bets.

These keys work no doubt and they even provide support incase the key does not work. But g2a is a website which is not recommended because it is a grey market. Even game developers say that rather pirate it than buy from g2a.

[mugen_pinaki27]

Originally Posted by GTO

Guys, what's a good place to buy a Windows 11 Pro key? I had got one from Amazon for my Macbook 16 Intel and it activated just fine (IIRC, cost 3k). Had even called Microsoft for support once and had no issues at all.

Thanks.

Hey GTO, bought a couple of MS Office keys from this guy twice. He's based in Bengaluru. The payment and activation process were swiftly handled by this guy. He also sells MS Windows keys. Hope this helps!


https://www.easykeyhub.com/product/w...se-key-retail/

Easy Key Hub
+91 81006 07749