Is it legal to buy cheap Windows and Office licences?

On the Microsoft Store Windows 11 Pro costs €259, with us Windows 11 Pro costs 7,99€. It’s normal to wonder how that’s possible and whether everything is above board. Here we explain why digital licences cost less, what European law says and how to spot a reliable seller.

1. Why they cost less

Microsoft sells the retail version at list price. But there are other channels: volume licences bought by companies and distributors, OEM licences meant for PC makers (like Windows 11 Pro for 1 PC) and resold licences. Online resellers buy in large quantities, have no boxes or shops and deliver only the key by email: that’s why the price is much lower.

2. What European law says

With the UsedSoft v Oracle judgment of 3 July 2012 (case C-128/11), the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that whoever sold a perpetual software licence cannot prevent its resale: the distribution right is “exhausted” by the first sale. This also applies to software downloaded from the internet, provided the first buyer stops using their copy.

In practice: buying a genuine licence from a reseller in the EU is legal. This applies to Windows, Office and other programs. Using illegally generated or stolen keys, or keys meant for a different use than stated, remains prohibited. This article is for information only and is not legal advice.

3. How to spot a reliable seller

What to check	Good sign	Warning sign
Who sells	Company with name, registration number and address	Only a made-up name or a social media profile
Invoice	Invoice or purchase receipt	No receipt
Guarantee	Replacement or refund if the key doesn’t work	“No refunds”
Support	Help with activation and downloads	No contact after payment
Reviews	Verified, recent reviews	No reviews or only identical ones
Activation	Key entered in the program or in Settings	Cracks, “activators” or programs to download to force activation

4. How we work

• Digital Ms Deals is the trading name of DIGITAL MS DEALS LIMITED (see about us), a company registered in England and Wales, based in London.
• You can enter your VAT number at checkout.
• Keys are activated the way Microsoft intends: in Settings › Activation for Windows, in the program for Office. The official installation files are on the downloads page.
• If Office doesn’t activate online, we help you with phone activation and the Get CID tool.
• If a key doesn’t work, we help you activate it or replace it, as set out in our Warranty policy. Write to us from the Activation and download support centre.

See Windows 11 Pro

See Office 2024 Professional Plus

You may also like: Most common Windows and Office activation errors and how to fix them.

Read also Office phone activation: how to get the Confirmation ID.

Learn more: Black Friday 2026: Windows and Office prices compared.

Frequently asked questions

Do I risk anything using a cheap key?

If the key is genuine and activated correctly, no. Avoid cracks and activators instead: they are illegal and often contain malware. To protect your PC, use a good antivirus.

Can Microsoft deactivate my licence?

A genuine licence activated correctly stays active. If you see an error code, check the most common activation errors. If a key were ever blocked, a serious seller replaces it.

Are OEM licences legal?

Yes, they are genuine licences tied to the PC you first activate them on.