WINDOWS LICENCE FINDER
Which Windows Licence Do I Need?
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll help you find the right Windows licence for your PC. Most people will be finished in just a few steps.
Choose Windows with confidence
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How to choose the right Windows licence
Choosing a Windows licence can be confusing if you are not sure which version is already installed, whether Windows is activated, whether the PC can run Windows 11 or whether you need Windows Home or Pro.
The Ecokeys Windows Licence Finder checks these details before showing a licence. It also asks how many PCs need Windows and can identify situations where buying another licence may not be necessary.
You may not need to buy another Windows licence. If Windows is already activated or you are reinstalling the same Windows edition on the same PC, check the existing activation before purchasing again.
Do I need Windows 11 Home or Pro?
Windows 11 Home is suitable for most everyday personal use, gaming, studying and general home computing. Windows 11 Pro is intended for people who need additional business or advanced Windows features.
You do not need to know which edition you need before starting. The finder asks what you need to do with the PC and checks whether any Pro-specific features are required before showing a matching licence.
If you are unsure, use the finder rather than choosing Pro simply because it sounds like the higher edition.
Can my PC run Windows 11?
Before buying Windows 11, check that the PC can actually run it.
A Windows licence activates Windows; it does not make unsupported hardware compatible with Windows 11.
If Windows 11 is already installed and running on the PC, you can continue in the finder. Otherwise, use Microsoft PC Health Check or confirm Windows 11 support with the PC manufacturer or system builder.
Do I need to buy another Windows licence?
Not always.
If Windows is already activated, or you are reinstalling the same Windows edition on the same PC, you may already have a licence you can use.
That is why the finder checks your current Windows version and activation before recommending another purchase.
If you are having an activation problem rather than choosing a new licence, use our Windows activation guide instead.
What if I already have Windows 10?
If Windows 10 is already activated on this PC, do not automatically buy a Windows 11 licence.
First check whether the PC can run Windows 11. If the PC is eligible for Microsoft's Windows 11 upgrade, another Windows licence may not be required.
Standard Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025, so Windows 11 should normally be considered first on compatible hardware.
The finder checks your Windows version, activation and Windows 11 compatibility before showing a licence.
How many Windows licences do I need?
Each PC that needs its own Windows installation normally requires a suitable licence.
The finder asks how many PCs you need to cover before showing the available options. For Windows 11 Pro, this may include comparing single-PC licences with an available five-PC licence combination.
If a five-PC licence is selected, all five activations for each five-PC licence must be completed within 30 days of purchase.
For more than 10 PCs, the finder stops rather than guessing which licence combination you require.
How do I check which version of Windows I have?
If you are not sure whether the PC has Windows 10 or Windows 11, or whether it is Home or Pro, you can check in a few seconds.
- Press Windows + R on the keyboard.
- Type winver.
- Press Enter.
- Look for the Windows version and edition shown on screen.
You can also use the checker built into the Windows Licence Finder and continue from the correct point.
Using Windows on a Mac or virtual machine?
A Windows licence and the software used to run the virtual machine are separate products.
The finder includes a Mac and virtual-machine option so you can check the Windows side of your setup before buying.
For detailed information about running Windows on a Mac with Parallels, read our dedicated guide.
Windows Licence Finder FAQs
Which Windows licence do I need for a new PC?
If the PC does not already have Windows, first confirm that it can run Windows 11. The finder will then help you decide whether Windows Home or Pro is the better match and how many licences you need.
Do I need Windows 11 Home or Pro?
Windows 11 Home is suitable for most everyday personal use. Pro is mainly useful when you need specific business or advanced Windows features. The finder asks about those features before recommending an edition.
Can I buy Windows 11 if my PC does not meet the requirements?
A Windows 11 licence will not make unsupported hardware compatible with Windows 11. Check that Windows 11 will work on the PC before buying.
Do I need to buy Windows 11 if I already have Windows 10?
Not necessarily. If Windows 10 is activated and the PC qualifies for the Windows 11 upgrade, another Windows licence may not be required. Check the PC and its existing activation first.
Do I need another Windows licence if Windows is already activated?
Possibly not. The finder checks activation because an existing licence may already cover what you are trying to do, particularly when using the same Windows edition on the same PC.
How do I know which Windows version is installed?
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter, or use the version checker built into the finder.
Built around real Windows buying questions
The Ecokeys Windows Licence Finder is designed around the questions that need answering before choosing a Windows licence: what is already installed, whether Windows is activated, whether the PC can run Windows 11, whether Home or Pro is needed and how many PCs require licences.
It also checks situations where buying another licence may not be necessary.
Our aim is to help you work out what you actually need before you spend money.
Still not sure which Windows licence you need?
Use the finder above and answer the questions based on what you see on your PC. It will show a matching Windows option when possible, tell you what to check next, or let you know when another licence may not be required.
Start the Windows Licence Finder Browse all Windows licences
