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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(115.19999999999999, 69%, 21%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EMS%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of my friend is in a petty debate with a retailer. So the retailer key does not work when my friend ask for a refund the retailer asked him the redeem date of his key, so i'm wondering is there a redeem date on a windows 11 key, have the key with me if there is a redeem date. In my personal opinion there is no such thing so far i know.
Windows 11 product keys do not have a specific redeem date associated with them. However, the activation process may be subject to certain conditions, such as the need for an internet connection for license renewal. If a key is not used within a certain timeframe, it may not be valid, but this is typically related to the activation rather than a strict redeem date. Therefore, your understanding is correct that there is no explicit redeem date for a Windows 11 key.
References:
If you mean does a Windows product key have an expiry date if unused, then no, Windows keys do not expire if they are unused, Microsoft never sets an expiry date on a product key.
Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.
On the that app, click 'Check Edition', then enter your product key into that app.
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide the product key in the screenshot.
Thank you for the screenshot, that indicates that is a Windows OEM key usually used for pre-installed Windows licences by a PC manufacturer.
If your friend tries to activate the licence, and it is indicated the licence has already been used, then the retailer should provide your friend with a new licence, this has nothing to do with an expiry date.
Did what you asked and my friend said it's been already in use when he asked for refund the retailer constantly asking for a redeem date on that key which is weird. Screenshot 2025-12-14 215032.png
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(204.8, 96%, 29%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3END%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Your screenshot shows an OEM licence for Home edition. That type of licence is normally sold to a system builder and required to be entered during installation. (when asked for a product key)
Is your friend using the key during the install or trying to activate a windows installation which is already running?
trying to activate
I would suggest a clean install using the product key during the install.
