Ratgeber
Project or Visio: which program for which task?
Microsoft Project plans schedules and resources, Visio draws diagrams. Using examples, this comparison shows which program you need and when both are worthwhile.
5 min read
Guides
Guides on software licences
Buying advice, step-by-step guides and background on Windows, Office, Project and Visio – clearly explained by the Keychannel team.
- Ratgeber
Software licence types explained simply: OEM, consumer, volume and subscription
OEM, consumer licence, volume licence or subscription: how the licence types differ, and how the product key and digital licence relate to each other.
7 min read - Project
Buying Microsoft Project: Standard or Professional, 2021 or 2024
Project Standard or Professional, 2021 or 2024? This guide explains the differences, the end of support dates and what to consider when installing alongside Office.
6 min read - Office
Office end of support: 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 at a glance
Office 2016 and 2019 have not received security updates since October 2025, and Office 2021 follows on 13 October 2026. All dates and your options at a glance.
7 min read - Office
Office Professional Plus or Standard: which edition do you need?
Standard or Professional Plus? We show which programs both Office editions from 2016 to 2024 include and when the larger edition is worth it.
6 min read - Windows
Windows 11 system requirements 2026: check your PC's compatibility
What hardware does Windows 11 need? All minimum requirements, how to check with PC Health Check, tpm.msc and msinfo32, and what helps if something is missing.
6 min read - Windows
Finding your Windows product key: how it works on Windows 11 and 10
How to find your Windows product key on Windows 11 and 10: via PowerShell, with slmgr and in Settings – and why often no key is shown at all.
5 min read - Windows
Windows 11 without TPM 2.0: options and risks for older PCs
PC Health Check reports no TPM 2.0? Often a single UEFI setting is enough. What else is possible, the risks of unofficial methods and which alternatives exist.
7 min read - Office
Office 2024 or Microsoft 365: one-off purchase or subscription compared
Pay once or pay regularly? We compare Office 2024 and Microsoft 365: features, updates, devices, cloud and how the costs add up over the years.
6 min read - Windows
Windows 11 Home or Pro: the differences and which edition you need
Home or Pro? The differences in Windows 11 in one table, guidance by type of user, and how to move from Home to Pro without reinstalling.
5 min read - Windows
Buying a Windows 10 key in 2026: Home or Pro – is it still worth it?
Is a Windows 10 key still worth it in 2026? We show who Home or Pro makes sense for, what the end of support means and when Windows 11 is the better fit.
5 min read - Office
Finding your Office product key: what is possible and what is not
You cannot read out the full Office key on your PC. We show what OSPP.VBS reveals, where the full key can be found and how to store it safely in future.
6 min read - Office
Buying Office 2024: editions, new features and buying tips without a subscription
Office 2024 is the current one-off purchase version without a subscription. We show what Standard and Professional Plus include, what is new and what to look out for when buying.
7 min read - Windows
Reinstalling Windows 11: create a USB stick and set up from scratch
Reset or clean install? How to create a bootable USB stick, reinstall Windows 11 step by step and then activate it.
6 min read - Windows
Windows 10 ESU: security updates until October 2027 – how to enrol
With Windows 10 ESU, home users receive security updates until 12 October 2027. Here is how to check the requirements and enrol your PC step by step.
5 min read - Visio
Buying Microsoft Visio: Standard or Professional, purchased licence or subscription
Which Visio edition suits you? This guide compares Standard and Professional, shows the end of support dates and puts the Visio subscriptions into context.
6 min read - Office
Activating Office: installation and activation with a product key
How to install and activate Office 2016 to 2024 with your product key: from downloading the setup and online activation through to activation by telephone.
8 min read - Windows
Activating Windows 11 and 10: instructions, commands and error codes
How to activate Windows 11 and 10 with a product key: via Settings, during installation or by command. Plus phone activation and the most important error codes.
6 min read - Windows
Reinstalling Windows 10: create a USB stick, install, activate
Setting up Windows 10 afresh: how to choose between a reset and a clean installation, create a USB stick with the Media Creation Tool and activate Windows.
6 min read - Office
Office 2021 or 2024: which version is still worth it in 2026?
Office 2021 and 2024 look similar, but support for 2021 ends on 13 October 2026. This comparison shows all the differences and when 2021 is still enough.
6 min read - Windows
Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11: three free methods explained
How to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 free of charge: via Windows Update, the Installation Assistant or an ISO file, including preparation, duration and rollback.
6 min read - Windows
Windows 10 end of support: what applies now and which options you have
Since 14 October 2025, Windows 10 no longer receives regular security updates. We explain what this means and the four routes now open to you.
6 min read