Operating System Licenses

Which Windows licenses are available, and who are they for?

The LIONFIN license catalog has three operating system licenses: Windows 11 Pro OEM for a single computer, Windows 10 Pro OEM for devices that do not meet the Windows 11 requirements, and Windows 11 Enterprise for corporate device fleets. Your use case decides which one fits:

These products are desktop operating system licenses. If you will run Windows Server on a server, the licensing rules are different; send us your requirements in a support ticket. If you are looking for a ready-to-use Windows server you connect to with Remote Desktop, the RDP server plans are a better starting point.

What features does Windows 11 Pro offer?

On top of everything in the Home edition, Windows 11 Pro adds the security and management tools needed for business use: disk encryption, the ability to be reached over Remote Desktop, joining a corporate domain and local policy management. The main differences:

• BitLocker: encrypts the whole disk; even if a laptop is stolen or lost, the disk cannot be read on another device.
• Remote Desktop (host): the Home edition can only connect to other computers; Pro allows others to connect to it over RDP.
• Domain join: connect the computer to the company’s Active Directory or cloud-based identity management.
• Group Policy Editor: configure updates, security and user restrictions locally with gpedit.msc.
• Hyper-V: run virtual machines on compatible hardware.

If you need at least one of these features, or if disk encryption is mandatory for data security on your company computers, Pro is the right choice. For personal computers used only for the internet, office apps and media, the Home edition may be enough. The Pro license comes with a 64-bit digital product key; all current hardware is 64-bit.

Is Windows 10 Pro still worth buying?

Windows 10 Pro only makes sense for computers that do not meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements but still do the job; on a new device, choose Windows 11 Pro. The reason is the support timeline: Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Windows 10 keeps working after that date but no longer receives free security updates; Microsoft offers time-limited updates only through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme.

Consider Windows 10 Pro when:

• A computer cannot run Windows 11 because of an older processor or a motherboard without TPM 2.0, but replacing it is not yet planned.
• A machine uses legacy software or a hardware driver certified only for Windows 10.

If you will keep these devices connected to the internet, weigh up the ESU option together with your hardware refresh plan. An operating system that no longer receives updates is a serious security gap, especially on work computers used for email and browsing. Also bear in mind that a Windows 10 OEM license cannot be moved to a new device when the hardware is replaced.

Who needs Windows 11 Enterprise?

Windows 11 Enterprise is the edition designed for organisations that manage dozens or hundreds of computers centrally and need to enforce application control and advanced security policies. On top of everything in Pro, it offers enterprise management tools:

• AppLocker: lets users run only approved applications, blocking unauthorised installs and stopping a lot of malware from running.
• Central policy (GPO) management: apply security, update and user settings to every device from one place through the domain.
• Volume license key option: makes it easier to activate many devices without entering a key on each one.
• Installation and activation support: the deployment and activation method that suits your organisation is worked out together with the support team.

Two methods are commonly used for volume activation: a Multiple Activation Key (MAK), where each device activates once with Microsoft’s servers, and the Key Management Service (KMS), where an activation server inside the organisation validates devices at regular intervals. Which one fits depends on your device count and network. In small offices with a few computers, Pro and local policies are often enough; Enterprise shows its real value in large, centrally managed fleets.

What is the difference between OEM, retail and volume licenses?

An OEM license is bound to the first device it is activated on and cannot be moved to another computer; a retail license can be removed from an old device and transferred to a new one; a volume license is designed for organisations to activate many devices centrally. The Pro products in the LIONFIN catalog are OEM licenses.

In practice, an OEM license is the best choice when it will stay on the same computer for its whole life. Replacing a disk or adding memory does not affect the license; but after a major hardware change such as a motherboard swap, Windows may see the device as a new computer and the OEM license may not reactivate. Knowing the license types and terms before you order avoids surprises later.

What are the hardware requirements for Windows 11?

To install Windows 11, a computer needs a TPM 2.0 security chip, UEFI with Secure Boot support and a processor on Microsoft’s supported list. Microsoft’s published minimum requirements are:

• A 64-bit processor on the supported list, with at least two cores and 1 GHz or faster.
• At least 4 GB of memory and 64 GB of storage.
• UEFI firmware and Secure Boot.
• TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0.
• A DirectX 12-compatible graphics card.

The easiest way to check compatibility is Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. To see the TPM status, run tpm.msc via Win + R. On many computers TPM and Secure Boot exist in the hardware but are switched off in the BIOS/UEFI settings; in that case, turning the setting on is all you need. The minimum requirements are only for installing Windows; for a comfortable experience on work computers, more memory and an NVMe or SSD drive are usually recommended. For devices that do not meet the requirements, Windows 10 Pro OEM is listed; but keep in mind the support timeline described above.

How are licenses delivered and activated?

After your order is approved, the digital product key is sent by email and appears in your customer panel; you activate the license by entering the key on Windows’ Activation screen. Step by step:

1. Choose the edition on the plan card and complete the order.
2. After approval, receive the product key and the installation and activation guide by email.
3. For a clean install, prepare a USB stick with Microsoft’s official media creation tool and choose the correct edition (Pro) during setup.
4. In Windows 11, go to Settings → System → Activation → Change product key and enter the key.
5. Confirm on the same screen that activation is complete with the message “Windows is activated”.

IT teams who prefer the command line can use these commands in a command prompt opened as administrator:

slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr /ato
slmgr /dlv

The first command installs the key, the second starts activation and the third shows the license status in detail. Do not share your product key in screenshots, and keep the delivery email rather than deleting it.

How do you upgrade from Windows Home to Pro?

To move a computer running Windows 11 Home to Pro you do not need to reinstall; just enter the Pro product key under Settings → System → Activation → Change product key. Windows downloads the required components, restarts the computer and switches to Pro with your files, programs and settings preserved.

Before upgrading:

• Take a backup: the process is usually smooth, but backing up important files before any edition change is a good habit.
• Finish pending updates: outstanding Windows updates can cause errors during the upgrade.
• Internet connection: a connection is needed for the edition change and activation.
• The right language edition: the upgrade path can behave differently on Single Language Home editions; open a support ticket if you run into trouble.

Once the upgrade is complete, Pro features such as BitLocker, Remote Desktop and Group Policy become available. When you switch on BitLocker, always save the recovery key somewhere safe; if the key is lost, you cannot reach the data on the encrypted disk.

What should you do if you get an activation error?

Most activation errors come from entering a key for the wrong edition, internet connection problems or a major hardware change; start by running Windows’ built-in Troubleshooter. Common situations and fixes:

If the problem continues, attach a screenshot of the slmgr /dlv output and the error code (with most of the product key hidden) to a ticket from the Support section of the customer panel; our activation support team will guide you.

Can a desktop Windows license be used on a server?

No; Windows 11 Pro and Windows 10 Pro are desktop operating systems and are not designed for server roles, multi-user remote desktop access or hosting services. Desktop Windows allows only one interactive remote desktop session at a time; where several employees need to connect to the same machine, you need Windows Server plus separate client access licenses for remote desktop services (RDS CALs).

The right path for your needs:

• An always-on Windows machine one person uses remotely: LIONFIN RDP server plans come with Windows Server; you do not need to buy a desktop license.
• Several people using a business application remotely: server and user licensing need to be planned together; a VDS server with Windows Server is a common basis.
• Building your own Windows server: Windows Server is licensed per core; ask the support team if you need help with sizing.

Correct licensing matters both to avoid legal risk and to avoid surprises in an audit. If you are unsure about a scenario, describe it in a support ticket and we will work out the right product together.

What should you check when buying a license from a trustworthy seller?

A trustworthy Windows license is one bought from a seller that issues an invoice, clearly states the product type (OEM, retail, volume) and provides support for installation and activation. Some of the extremely cheap keys on the market were produced for other countries, have been revoked or were split off from volume license agreements without permission; they may work for a while and then be deactivated.

When buying, check:

• Are the license type and terms of use stated clearly? (OEM: single device, not transferable.)
• Is a proper invoice issued for the sale? For company computers, the invoice is the proof of your license for bookkeeping and in a possible software audit.
• Will someone help you if installation or activation goes wrong?
• Is the key sent to you personally, or shared on a forum or social media?

Unlicensed copies of Windows, or copies run with an “activation tool”, are one of the most common ways malware gets onto computers.