What if I told you that there is a marketplace website at Kinguin.net where you can acquire Windows 10 keys for as low as $30? Your next question is most likely. Kinguin, a natural person?

Before we answer that question, we should presumably explain the context in which you are using the word “legit.”

If you define genuine as the legitimate purchase of a Windows key or game key, then the answer is that Kinguin is mainly not legit.

If you define legit as being able to obtain a Windows key or game key from Kinguin and have it function, then the answer is that Kinguin is somewhat authentic.

I am expecting that the majority of individuals will choose the first definition of legitimate. And, if that is the case, you should avoid Kinguin.net and instead purchase your games and Windows versions the old-fashioned method.

But for those who don’t mind the risk—or the unethical aspect of the whole thing—Kinguin can be a cheap way to acquire Windows or a popular game you have wanted to play for a fraction of the price it would usually be.

How Does Kinguin Work?

Kinguin does not sell games or copies of Windows. Kinguin, on the other hand, is a marketplace where people may sell their Windows keys or game keys.

On their marketplace, you can find everything from Windows keys (both Pro and Home editions), World of Warcraft time cards, CSGO skins, game keys for major games (like PUBG), and software (like anti-virus programs and Microsoft Home Office.)

You visit their website and click on the thing you desire. Then you’re transported to that product’s marketplace page, where you may browse through the different people selling that product (or, instead, the key for that product) (or, instead, the key for that product.)

You next select the seller from whom you wish to purchase (which will be the vendor with the most orders placed and the highest seller rating) and click on the ‘Buy Now’ button.

After that, you will go through the checkout process.

What if I purchase from Kinguin and the key does not work?

The major issue with Kinguin’s marketplace is that Kinguin does not check to determine if the keys sold by their merchants are genuine or not.

There have been numerous reports of customers purchasing keys from Kinguin just to discover that the key was already in use.

A Redditor bought a key for a famous game, but when they tried to activate it, it indicated it was already in use.

And, when he tried to get Kinguin’s help, he had a tough time convincing them to uphold the code he had paid.

In the end, they did reimburse him the money, but who knows whether they would have done the right thing if that user’s Reddit thread had not blown up?

This Redditor is not the only one who has had a negative experience with Kinguin but there are many.

Kinguin’s Buyer’s Protection. A Moderately Shady Resolution to Invalid Keys

Kinguin does offer Buyer’s Assurance for their keys. Kinguin says the following about their Buyer’s Protection.

You are protected against any quality problems of this product caused by the seller (invalid, duplicate keys, etc.). (Invalid, duplicate keys, etc.).

By disabling it, the client assumes entire liability for any inherent concerns.

Or, in other words, if you didn’t buy Buyer’s Protection from Kinguin, you have no assurance if the key is invalid, which is highly ridiculous.

Kinguin’s Buyer’s Protection varies based on the purchase, but it is usually no more than $7 or so. And, so it takes the cost of stuff like Windows 10 from $30 to ~$37, which, in the broad scheme of things, is still considerably less pricey than buying a copy of Windows from Amazon or Microsoft.

(For games, the Buyer’s Protection is less.)

Kinguin Buyer Protection Plan Decoded

But the point that you must pay extra to ensure your purchase is safeguarded makes the whole business model much shadier. You would believe that you would be safe regardless.

They are effectively saying, “Our marketplace is nasty, and you’re probably going to get scammed, but if you pay us a few bucks, we’ll make sure to safeguard you from the dishonest sellers we allow onto our marketplace.” In any event, the Buyer’s Protection does safeguard you, and if you want to acquire Kinguin discount coupons, you must add them to your transaction. And, even with the Buyer’s Protection cost included in, most things still cost quite a deal less than if you were to buy them through usual ways.

Though it is crazy that you must pay them more to have your goods insured.

Where Do All These Free Keys Come From for Kinguin Sellers?

There is some disagreement about where these merchants receive all these game keys.

A few years ago, some hackers used a stolen credit card to purchase Ubisoft game codes, which they then sold to buyers on Kinguin.

Ubisoft first revoked access to those titles from individuals who were duped into using stolen codes. However, they changed their minds and permitted those users to keep their codes.

In other circumstances, vendors obtain their keys through sales or promotions and then resell them on the marketplace.

Kinguin’s Result

As a result, some dealers acquire game keys in bulk when they go on sale, hoard them until the offer ends, and then sell them for more than they paid for them on Kinguin.

Other sellers are simply normal users who receive free game codes through odd promotions but do not desire the code and instead sell it for a profit.

The issue is that you never know where your key is coming from. Because, while some keys may be legitimate (for example, if a vendor is merely unloading some free keys got through a promotion), there are other occasions where you may be purchasing from a seller who obtained their key fraudulently.

Should You Buy from Kinguin?

I’m stunned I can’t answer that question for you. I bought a copy of Windows 10 Pro from them to test it out.

And the key worked perfectly.

However, the key first refused, and I had to spend some time contacting support to get it running.

However, in my experience, their customer service was quite helpful, and they were able to get the code confirmed with Microsoft for me, and it has been working ever since.

To be clear, I frequently build PCs for others (particularly for the winners of our PC giveaway contest), and I would never purchase a Windows key from Kinguin to install on a computer that I was creating for someone else.

And the rationale for this is that if that key is ever deleted, I don’t want that individual to have to deal with it.

Kinguin – Unmasked

However, I decided to give Kinguin a shot for my most recent build and see how it went. So far, I have experienced no issues.

So, whether you should buy from Kinguin.net comes down to whether you are A) alright with the ethical nature of it all and B) willing to pay Buyer’s Protection for your codes to ensure you don’t lose your money.

For my part, I’m not likely to buy from them again. When I went via them for my Windows 10 key the first time, I had no idea I could be acquiring stolen codes. One thing would be if I could guarantee that I could get codes from folks who are simply offloading free codes obtained through promotions.

However, the possibility of helping scammers and fraudsters is uncomfortable.

Also, I wasn’t aware at the time, but purchasing a Windows 10 key from an unlicensed third-party seller is against Microsoft’s conditions. So, while it is incredibly affordable to buy a copy of Windows 10 through Kinguin, it isn’t something that Microsoft themselves supports. I have since replaced the key I got with a key that I bought directly from Microsoft.

Kinguin – Final Verdict

Ultimately, the primary line is that Kinguin is a “grey” marketplace where you can get game keys and Windows keys for meager costs. There are, however, drawbacks to those low prices. Namely, Kinguin has had a murky business strategy and that purchasing things through them is unethical when you consider where the codes you are buying could originate from.

So, you can buy from them. But be aware of the various hazards that could arise if you chose to do so.

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