OEM vs Retail

danyjr

danyjr

danyjr

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Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
223
Hey fellas,

I'm building a new PC for my parents and I'm stuck on which version of Windows 7 I should get for them. I've found that OEM versions of Windows are almost twice as cheap as Retail (1 user) versions, with retail versions almost extinct (at least on Overclockers)

So what is the difference? Does the OEM version lock the Product Key to the motherboard so it can't be used on another machine again?

Thanks in advance
 
OEM is tied to the motherboard it was originally installed / activated on.

Retail can be transferred to a new machine belongs it is uninstalled from the original machine.

Windows 8 is slightly different as OEM can be transferred to a new machine, no Retail versions for Win 8.
 
Yeah if you buy OEM make sure your happy with the mobo before you install, unlike me.
With retail you also get both 64bit and 32bit disk, you can also get support as well, which is pretty useless
EDIT: just saw your new post. You can but you have to ring Microsoft and it can only be used on a similar mobo and a good reason why you have changed mobo
 
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danyjr said:
Thanks for the responses.

Is there a way to 'un-tie' an OEM from the motherboard for future installs?
Click to expand...

Yeah buy windows8, faster, more features. And if you can't stand not having a start menu plenty of ways to get it back.
Unless you got something you know doesn't work on w8, I think you would be mad to go with w7. Especially as you can easily make it look the same, if that's your issue.
£10 cheaper than w7 oem and not tied to a motherboard.
 
If you think Windows 7 is going to exceed the useful life of the PC then go with retail and save yourself the future hassle.
 
Thanks again for your responses. Just a couple of questions:

1- Windows 8. Can I get my start menu back? And does that require getting Windows 8 Professional or can I do it with the standard verison?

2- If I get Windows 8 OEM edition, can this be installed on two separate machines at the same time? If not, can it be installed on different machines if I uninstall it from one machine?

Many thanks :)
 
1) plenty of ways on any version, like http://startisback.com/#features-tab. I would realy advise to give metro a few weeks though(many people grow to like it) and remeber right click brings a start like menu up, which is customisable.

2) like any version of windows is one machine at a time, however w8 oem can be transferred between machines unlike w7 oem. This is due to a massive change in licensing, w8 oem is basically retail, there is no actual retail version of w8.

For difference between w8 and w8 pro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8_editions#Comparison_chart
 
so what happens if you already have vista or 7 and you buy the upgrade for £45, can this be transfered to a new pc?
 
tatts said:
How does that work though if say you had a new hard drive, will it install off the disc or do you need to install the old one first?
Click to expand...

Most likely(although I'm not sure but people have done a Regdit to install from blank HDD) need to install a version of windows which is then upgraded. The upgrade is transferable, you still need a valid license to upgrade.
 
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