Better to buy Windows 8.1 retail rather than OEM?

[Goose]

I'm going to be putting together a system for a friend and i'm wondering if its better to buy a retail copy of Windows rather than OEM in case the motherboard needs replacing or he wants to upgrade in the future.

What would you guys recommend?

 

[233]

I was under the impression there is no OEM w8 as such?

 

[darth.mader]

I bought a oem wins 8.1 disc and all is fine.

 

[Goose]

I was under the impression there is no OEM w8 as such?

OCUK only seem to stock OEM versions.

I bought a oem wins 8.1 disc and all is fine.

Yes i dont doubt it works 'n all but once would install OEM its locked to that system right?

 

[UnworthyBean]

Yes i dont doubt it works 'n all but once would install OEM its locked to that system right?

MS changed the rules so you can now change the motherboard or upgrade hardware and still activate Windows, so you'll be fine.

 

[esoteric]

I reinstalled and changed system on my Vista OEM.. about 4 times? just had to phone MS and go through the automated system to activate it/get genuine.

 

[cheesyboy]

MS changed the rules so you can now change the motherboard or upgrade hardware and still activate Windows, so you'll be fine.

This is correct. I did see a link to the appropriate MS webpage with the relevant win8 licence info once; a google search might bring it up

 

[UnworthyBean]

I reinstalled and changed system on my Vista OEM.. about 4 times? just had to phone MS and go through the automated system to activate it/get genuine.

This is also true, most OEM licenses you could reactivate without trouble. Although strictly speaking, it was against the EULA.

 

[Glaucus]

Win8 OEM is retail. They changed licensing totally.
Win8 OEM is not tied to a single computer, you can uninstall it and transfer it to another.

 

[Goose]

Ah right, thanks guys.