Open Command Prompt and run slmgr /dli. The Description line ends with your licence channel: RETAIL means a retail licence you can move to a new PC; OEM (such as OEM_DM) means it came with your PC and can’t be moved; VOLUME_KMSCLIENT or VOLUME_MAK means a volume licence belonging to an organisation. Paste the output below and this checker explains it for you.
slmgr /dli (Windows) or cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus (Office). Not sure how? See the steps below the tool.How to Get Your slmgr /dli Output
cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli and press Enter. Using cscript prints the result as text you can copy.slmgr /dli output for a retail Windows 11 Pro licence. Your details will differ.Plain slmgr /dli works too, but it shows the result in a pop-up window. Click the pop-up and press Ctrl + C to copy its text. For Office, open an administrator Command Prompt, go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16 and run cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus.
OEM vs Retail vs Volume: What Each Licence Means
| Channel shown by slmgr | What it means | Can it move to a new PC? |
|---|---|---|
| RETAIL | Retail | Yes, one PC at a time |
| OEM_DM | OEM, key stored in the PC’s firmware by the manufacturer | No |
| OEM_COA_NSLP / OEM_COA_SLP | OEM, key on a Certificate of Authenticity sticker | No |
| OEM_SLP / OEM_NONSLP | OEM, preinstalled by a system builder | No |
| VOLUME_KMSCLIENT | Volume, activates against a KMS server | Managed by the organisation |
| VOLUME_MAK | Volume, Multiple Activation Key | Managed by the organisation |
| TIMEBASED_EVAL | Evaluation or trial edition | No, it expires |
slmgr /dli and ospp.vbs /dstatus. Command reference: Microsoft Learn.Our longer guide on how to check if your Windows key is OEM or retail covers more methods, including checking the sticker or box your licence came in.
How to Move a Retail Licence to a New PC
Microsoft’s licence terms let you transfer a retail licence to another device you own, as long as you remove it from the first one (Windows 11 licence terms). On the old PC, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
slmgr /upk
slmgr /cpky/upk uninstalls the key, and /cpky removes it from the registry. On the new PC, enter the key in Settings › System › Activation › Change product key, or run slmgr /ipk followed by the key and then slmgr /ato.
What if my licence is a digital licence?
If you upgraded from a genuine retail copy and linked it to your Microsoft account, you can often reactivate after changing hardware. Open Settings › System › Activation › Troubleshoot and choose I changed hardware on this device recently (Microsoft Support). This doesn’t work for OEM licences.
Moving Office to a new PC
Retail Office licences can usually move too. Remove the key on the old PC with cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey: and the last five characters, then install it on the new PC. Our guide to changing the Office product key shows each step.
Need a Licence You Can Take With You?
If your checker result says OEM, your licence will stay with your current PC. A retail key moves with you to your next computer. Noxkeys sells genuine retail keys with instant email delivery.
Browse all Windows licences or contact us if you’re not sure which you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my Windows key is OEM or retail?
Open Command Prompt, run slmgr /dli and read the Description line. It ends with the licence channel: RETAIL for retail, a name starting with OEM for OEM, or VOLUME for volume licences.
What does OEM_DM mean?
OEM_DM means an OEM licence whose key is stored in the PC’s firmware by the manufacturer, which is common on laptops and branded desktops. It’s tied to that PC.
Can I transfer an OEM licence to a new PC?
No. OEM licences belong to the first computer they’re activated on. A new PC or a replacement motherboard needs a new licence.
Can I transfer a retail licence to a new PC?
Yes. Remove it from the old PC with slmgr /upk and slmgr /cpky, then install and activate it on the new one. It can only be active on one PC at a time.
What does VOLUME_KMSCLIENT mean?
It means Windows or Office is set to activate against an organisation’s KMS server. On a home PC, it usually means a generic key is installed and the copy isn’t genuinely activated.
Is my product key safe to paste into this checker?
Yes. slmgr /dli only shows the last five characters of your key, and the checker runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent or stored.
Why does slmgr /dli show RETAIL on a PC I bought with Windows?
Some PCs upgraded with a digital licence, or set up with retail media, report RETAIL. Check the sticker or paperwork if you’re unsure.
How do I check whether Office is retail or volume?
Run cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus from the Office16 folder. The LICENSE DESCRIPTION line shows RETAIL, VOLUME_MAK or VOLUME_KMSCLIENT.