The license type is the most important line on a product page and the one people skip. It decides where you can use the software, how many devices it covers and what happens when you change hardware. Here are the four types you will meet when buying Windows, Office and server software.
Buying Guides
Retail, OEM, Volume and Bind Licenses Explained
What the license type on a product page actually means, who each one suits, and how to choose between a single-PC key and a multi-PC pack.
Direct Answer
Retail keys are standard single-user licenses, OEM keys stay with the PC they are first activated on, volume (MAK) keys activate a fixed number of PCs, and bind keys attach to a Microsoft account. Pick the one that matches how you will use the software.
| Type | Tied to | Covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | You (the licensee) | One device at a time | Home users and small offices who may upgrade or replace a PC |
| OEM | The first device it is activated on | One device | New builds and PCs that will stay as they are |
| Volume (MAK) | The key, with a set number of activations | Several PCs (for example 20 or 50) | Offices, labs and rollouts needing the same edition everywhere |
| Bind | A Microsoft account | Per the product listing | Office and similar products that live on your account |
Pro Tip
If you may replace or rebuild the PC within a few years, choose retail over OEM. The small price difference buys you flexibility.
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