How to Verify a License Before You Buy
Red flags and green lights when buying Microsoft keys online — how to tell a real license from a scam.
Last updated · January 2026
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01Green lights
- Seller provides invoices and order documentation
- Clear refund and replacement policy
- Delivery by email with activation support
- Price is discounted but not absurdly low
02Red flags
- “Lifetime” keys for subscription products
- Prices below ~70% off retail for Windows/Office
- No contact details, no company information
- Activation via “tools” instead of Microsoft’s own flow
- Marketplace listings with hundreds of identical “buy it now” offers
03After purchase
A genuine key activates through Settings > Activation or setup.office.com — no third-party tools. If a seller tells you to run a crack, walk away.
See also: risks of gray-market keys.
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