How do ‘pirated’ license keys of, for example Windows, work on multiple different computers, regardless of where they are or how old the key is?

Question

So, we have probably all at one point seen those free activation keys for Windows, that seem to work on multiple different computers, even several years after they were posted. How does that work?

Is it a sort of unlimited, universal key that works for everyone?

It always amazed me that a 10 year old Windows XP key could work on multiple different computers at the same time, cause when I think license keys, I think One time usage, one device usage or having to transfer it to a new system somehow.

Any explanation would be great, thank you.

In: Technology

Answer 1

For XP, Windows 95 and other older versions the key wasn’t actually all that unique, it just had to fit into a specific pattern. For example [111-1111111](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwyH59nACzQ) was a valid Windows 95 key because the last 7 digits add up to a multiple of 7