Buying Windows 7

poobert · 7 Nov 2010 at 13:11

I looked at the sticky and it didn't quite help so I am making this thread.

When I go to buy win7 on this site, there are 2 versions. Retail and OEM. Now I know that the OEM version is for one pc only, but what is the retail version for?

Say I build a computer and install windows on it, and then my computer blows up and I have to build a new one.... can I use my OEM win7 cd again or do I have to buy a new cd? And what about with the retail version.

Finally, when I look to buy win7 on any competitor site, the cheapest I find is Windows 7 1 PC version. Is this a type of retail version of the software, or is it just an alternate name for the OEM version.

Thank you.

*edit* I just found a post that answers question 2, so you can ignore that one.

robinbredin · 7 Nov 2010 at 13:24

When I go to buy win7 on this site, there are 2 versions. Retail and OEM. Now I know that the OEM version is for one pc only, but what is the retail version for?

Say I build a computer and install windows on it, and then my computer blows up and I have to build a new one.... can I use my OEM win7 cd again or do I have to buy a new cd? And what about with the retail version.

The retail version can be installed on 3 systems, but at one at a time, but you can reinstall it as many times as you like. But, after the first, you will have to contact MS to get it activated. If you install the OEM on a PC, and it blows up, then you cannot install the OEM on another PC.

poobert · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:33

Ahh ok, that makes sense. What about this 1 user version that I see a lot of?

SiriusB · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:38

1PC could refer to OEM.. or simply Retail with 1 license. Since Windows can only be installed on one PC at a time, it is not very clear to what it means.