OEM Windows - compulsory hardware purchase?

Ricochet J · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:30

If I buy an OEM version of Windows 8.1 from OcUK do I have to buy hardware to go with it?

I.e. I thought OEM licences can only be sold if it's coupled to a hardware purchase, like a mouse or something?

Thanks

Destination · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:33

or a motherboard or something

theheyes · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:34

That used to be the case, but not any more.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:41

theheyes said:
That used to be the case, but not any more.

This used to be the case but stopped in 2003. YES, OVER A DECADE AGO. :eek:

Glaucus · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:50

Not only did it stop.

Since windows 8 OEM replaced the retail version.
And the license is nothing like the old oem, licenses.
You can sell it, you can move it between computers etc.

Although I'm confused why they decided to keep the OEM name and ditch the retail name. should have dome it the other way around or even better ditched both. And just have windows and windows upgrade. Rather than windows OEM and windows upgrade.

Akagi · 20 Jan 2014 at 15:51

Microsofts security is so awful that you could do that anyway as long as you didn't mind breaching their terms.

"Hello, I'm trying to activate my operating system but it is saying the key has been used?"

"Are you installing it on the computer it was previously installed on, or a different computer?"

"It is the same computer" *is using a totally different computer*

"Okay I'll just geerate an activation code for you"

The automated service is even worse and doesn't even ask if it's the same PC.

"On how many computers is the software installed?"

*presses 1"

"Thankyou, your activation request was successful"

I'm not saying that I've ever done this, or that you should. :rolleyes:

Glaucus · 20 Jan 2014 at 16:07

acme15 said:
"On how many computers is the software installed?"

*presses 1"

"Thankyou, your activation request was successful"

:

That's because it makes no difference if its a different pc any more, all the license cares about is its only installed on one at a time.

Akagi · 20 Jan 2014 at 16:16

When did that happen? 2003? Are you telling me ive been abiding by their terms of service this whole time?!

Glaucus · 20 Jan 2014 at 16:44

acme15 said:
When did that happen? 2003? Are you telling me ive been abiding by their terms of service this whole time?!

2012 for win8, the other ones w7/xp etc still under old license. But ms can't be bothered with it.

Akagi · 20 Jan 2014 at 16:47

Glaucus said:
2012 for win8, the other ones w7/xp etc still under old license. But ms can't be bothered with it.

Ahh I was referring to XP/Vista and 7 in my post. I haven't bought Win8 or a machine with it installed just yet.

theheyes · 20 Jan 2014 at 21:17

Burnsy2023 said:
This used to be the case but stopped in 2003. YES, OVER A DECADE AGO.

I did actually doubt myself after I posted and wondered whether I'd missed something recent.

IIRC the license + mouse bundles were never technically legit anyway.

Those were the days.