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At the Microsoft Store in the US, Windows 11 Home costs $139 and Windows 11 Pro costs $199.99. Independent stores sell Windows 11 keys for much less because they sell other kinds of licenses: OEM, Retail, phone-activation and volume (MAK) keys. Each type has its own rules for reinstalling Windows and moving to a new PC. This guide shows what each one costs and what you get for the money.
Windows key prices at a glance
| Where / key type | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store: Windows 11 Home | Full retail license, sold and supported by Microsoft | $139 USD |
| Microsoft Store: Windows 11 Pro | Full retail license, sold and supported by Microsoft | $199.99 USD |
| Microsoft Store: Home to Pro upgrade | Upgrades a PC that already runs Windows 11 Home | about $99 |
| Windows 11 Pro Retail key | Activates online and can move to a new PC, one PC at a time | $8.90 |
| Windows 11 Pro OEM key | Activates online and stays with the first PC it activates | $8.49 |
| Windows 11 Home OEM key | Activates online and stays with the first PC it activates | $7.50 |
| Windows 11 Pro MAK key | Volume license key for a PC that already runs Windows 11 Pro | $6.99 |
| Windows 11 Pro phone-activation key | Activates by phone with a Confirmation ID instead of online | $4.79 |
Microsoft prices are the US list prices at the time of writing. Keys Locker prices are live and update automatically.
Why are these keys so much cheaper than Microsoft’s?
The Microsoft Store sells a full retail license at list price, and Microsoft handles its support. Independent stores sell keys that come from other channels, and each type comes with limits that are reflected in its price:
- OEM keys are made for PC builders. They are tied to the first PC they activate, so they are the cheapest full license for a computer you plan to keep.
- Retail keys belong to you rather than to the PC. You can move one to a new computer, one PC at a time, which is why they cost a little more than OEM keys.
- Phone-activation keys activate through Microsoft’s phone activation system with a Confirmation ID instead of the online check. It takes a few more minutes.
- MAK (volume) keys come from Microsoft’s volume licensing for organizations. They activate a PC that already runs the right edition, but they can’t upgrade Windows Home to Pro.
Support is different too. When you buy a key from a store, that store, not Microsoft, replaces it if it doesn’t activate. That is why it matters who you buy from.
Which Windows key should you buy?
- Keeping your current PC for years: an OEM key is the cheapest full license. See the Windows 11 Pro OEM key.
- Replacing your PC soon: a Retail key can move with you. See the Windows 11 Pro Retail key.
- Upgrading Windows 11 Home to Pro: enter a Pro Retail key in Settings, or buy Microsoft’s own upgrade. MAK keys can’t do this.
- Your PC already runs Windows 11 Pro and only needs activating: a MAK key costs less. See the Windows 11 Pro MAK key.
- Lowest price, a few extra steps: a phone-activation key. See the Windows 11 Pro phone-activation key.
Is a Windows 10 key still worth buying?
Windows 10 reached its end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft still sends security updates to home PCs enrolled in its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which has been extended to October 2027; after that, Windows 10 gets no more fixes.
A Windows 10 key is mainly useful for a PC that can’t run Windows 11, for example one without TPM 2.0. A Windows 10 Home or Pro key also activates the same edition of Windows 11, so it isn’t wasted if you upgrade later.
What to check before you buy any Windows key
- The product page names the key type: OEM, Retail, phone activation, MAK or Microsoft account key.
- The edition matches your PC. A Home key activates Home and a Pro key activates Pro. Your edition is shown in Settings → System → About.
- You know how it activates: online, by phone or through a Microsoft account.
- The store gives a written replacement or refund guarantee if the key doesn’t activate.
- You pay through a secure checkout, such as a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one Windows key on two PCs?
No. A Windows license covers one PC at a time. A Retail key can move to a new PC once you stop using it on the old one; an OEM key stays with the first PC.
Do I need a new key when I reinstall Windows?
No. After activation, Microsoft remembers your PC (a digital license). Reinstall the same edition, connect to the internet and Windows activates again by itself.
How much does it cost to upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro?
Microsoft charges about $99 for the upgrade in the Microsoft Store app. You can also enter a Windows 11 Pro Retail key in Settings → System → Activation → Change product key.