StackSocial, an online marketplace owned by StackCommerce is seemingly always running the deal of a lifetime on Windows 11 Pro. StackSocial is offering the software with a retail value of $199 with 89% off. Reputable technology websites like ZDNET, CNET, Android Police, Cult of Mac, and PCMag are running commission-based promotions on Microsoft Software from StackSocial.

The screen capture above shows StackSocial’s ad running on ZDNET’s website and is attributed to a ZDNET associate editor. Obviously, for people unfamiliar with Microsoft licensing and product pricing, this must seem like a legitimate and amazing deal. Reading the entire promotion reinforces the impression that ZDNET is signing off on it. However, there is one section that makes little sense if it’s promoting a genuine Microsoft Windows license from this deal:

It’s important to note, however, that while StackSocial offers “lifetime” access to Windows 11 Pro, Microsoft could end the license. But that’s not to say that it will.
Source: zdnet.com available on archive.org

Now why would Microsoft revoke a valid product key? I’ve not heard of this practice before. It’s almost like ZDNET suspects something’s amiss. It reads like a huge red flag so I decided to contact ZDNET to ask if they could confirm that they’re promoting a genuine deal. I got a reply informing me that my inquiry had been forwarded to an editor but no further clarity on the subject was ever provided.

Buying Windows 11 Pro from StackSocial

Following the advice from ZDNET’s expert staff, I decided to treat myself to the best of what Microsoft has to offer by purchasing Windows 11 Pro from StackSocial for 20 dollars.

Before buying the product, I carefully read the product description and browsed the review section on StackSocial’s product page for Windows 11 Pro. The verified customers gave great product reviews so there should be no unexpected issues, right?

The buying and checkout process was kind of annoying with having to opt out of an endless stream of upsell offers, but in the end, the payment went through and the deal was completed.

Redeeming my Windows 11 Pro license

Unfortunately, another red flag appeared immediately as I wanted to redeem my product key. This time in the shape of the following ominous message from StackSocial’s purchase page:

None of the verified customer reviews mention this issue as far as I remember. Maybe it’s just a strange fringe case. On a more serious note though, you should never receive an error message about a “used key” when purchasing a license from an authorized Microsoft partner, or from Microsoft.

Activating Windows 11 Pro

Finally, after using my newly redeemed product key and upgrading to Windows 11 Pro, it was time to kick back and relax while enjoying my new Windows 11 Pro installation.

The error message “We can’t activate Windows on this device because the product key was already used on another device” means exactly what it states. When connecting to Microsoft activation servers, they perform a check to see if the product key has been used on other devices. In my case, this check came back positive for my product key and thus it’s illegible for use on my computer.

Before contacting StackSocial about this issue, I verified that the product key I redeemed was a retail key and not a volume key. The product key was indeed a retail key so that part checked out. The only issue was that too many people were using the same key.

Hello, StackSocial support

Curious to hear how StackSocial would explain this unfortunate situation I contacted their support and raised a few concerns regarding the product key. I got a reply where they apologized for my issues and attached step-by-step instructions on how to activate Windows 11 Pro by phone using “my” redeemed product key. None of my concerns were addressed, but they pointed out that StackSocial is a marketplace, and not the actual provider of the license.

Windows activation by phone

I have not performed this highly annoying exercise in decades. The phone validation process allows a workaround if the product key has been used on multiple devices. Without going into details, this works by resetting the activation count for the product key and reassociating the license with your hardware. Again, this is not something you should have to do after buying a genuine license and it’s prone to abuse.

Performing this exercise, I might end up deactivating the Windows installation of other people using the same product key. This might tie back to ZDNET’s note about Microsoft deactivating the license at any time, but it would be unfair to speculate on this. Once more I contacted StackSocial with my concerns, but they only repeated that they’re just a marketplace and that the licenses were provided by an authorized Microsoft partner.

Does StackSocial scam their customers?

StackSocial has a dedicated page addressing customers’ concerns. In short, they state the following: “StackSocial is a trustworthy online marketplace with reliable partners and deals you can count on”. Their deals are also promoted heavily by reputable partners as I mentioned earlier in this article. Many companies work with them to sell their products and services. However, that’s not to say every deal sold on their marketplace is legit.

I would be cautious of their deals on software from Microsoft. The following points should be taken into consideration before making a purchase.

1. Microsoft partners do not get an 89% discount on Windows retail licenses
2. A genuine Windows license does not fail product activation
3. Phone activation is not required for a genuine Windows license

Warning other potential customers

Discouraged by my experience and 20 bucks short after purchasing a non-genuine Windows Pro license, I decided to leave an honest review on StackSocial highlighting my issues. The review alas was never published. Seemingly, only positive reviews are welcome on their product deal pages.

Is Windows Pro for 20$ a good deal?

Definitively not. The right price for a non-genuine Windows 11 Pro license should be 0.00$. Jack Wallen is the man, but even so, you can’t trust ZDNET.