OEM vs Retail vs Volume Licence: What’s the Difference?
Three labels that cause most of the confusion
By Atif H., CEO, AME Enterprise
Three labels cause most of the confusion when buying Microsoft software.
Retail
Bought separately, and you can move it to another PC when you replace your computer (the licence terms allow transfer, one PC at a time). Best if you upgrade hardware often.
OEM
Tied to the first computer it’s installed on, and normally cheaper. Good for a new build or a one-time PC setup. Microsoft’s terms still apply, so check them before reselling or reusing.
Volume licensing
Designed for organisations buying many licences, with central management and agreements that suit companies, schools and government.
| Retail | OEM | Volume | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moves to a new PC | Yes | No | Per agreement |
| Price | Higher | Lower | Discounted at scale |
| Best for | Individuals | Single PC builds | 5+ users or companies |
Whichever type you pick, buy from a seller who gives you an invoice, states the licence type clearly, and supports you after the sale.
Not sure which fits? Tell us how many PCs you’re setting up and we’ll recommend the right licence, or read about how we source our software.
Which licence should you buy in Malaysia?
Building or buying a new desktop: an OEM licence is usually the best value because the licence stays with that PC for its life. Upgrading your PC every few years: a retail licence is more flexible because it can be moved to a replacement computer (one at a time). Setting up many PCs for a company: ask about volume licensing or a business quote so you get management tools and a proper paper trail.
Do OEM and retail Windows 11 Pro have the same features?
Yes. Windows 11 Pro features such as BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop host, Hyper-V virtualization and domain join are the same. The difference is the licence terms, mainly whether you can move the licence to another PC, and the price.
Is an OEM licence legal for a normal user?
An OEM licence is a real Microsoft licence, and it is intended for a new PC build or a clean install on one computer. Microsoft’s licence terms still apply, so read them before reselling or reusing a key. The most important thing is to buy from a seller who states the licence type clearly and gives you an invoice.
How to compare prices fairly
Compare like with like: retail against retail, OEM against OEM. If one seller is far cheaper than every other, ask which licence type it is and what happens if the key stops working. Check for a warranty, an invoice, a delivery method and a real contact channel. Our guide on how to check if your Windows licence is genuine shows three quick checks you can do yourself.
Shop genuine Windows 11 Pro
Choose Windows 11 Pro retail for flexibility or Windows 11 Pro OEM for a lower price on a new build. Both include a genuine key, a warranty and free shipping in Malaysia. Buying for a team? See our business pricing page or read how Malaysian businesses should buy Microsoft licences.
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