Buying windows 7

deadman29
Buying windows 7
Need to buy a copy of windows 7 but im not sure which to get. I'm assuming (since I dont have an original XP) I need to buy a non-upgrade version?

If so then is there any difference between the retail and oem version?

Annd if not then I assume http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=SW-127-MS is the right one to buy?

Apologies if theres a thread like this already! :P

Thanks
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Once loaded, it will be tied to your motherboard, and is non transferable.

Having said that, I would not bother, as win 8 is out this year.
 
Retail - The licence is transferable, so if you upgrade, change PC's or whatever, you can move your Windows 7 licence to the new hardware.

OEM - Tied to the hardware you initialy install it on. You can get away with a few small changes, but if you change too much, or the motherboard your licence becomes invalid and you'll need to buy a new one.


Right now however I wouldn't buy either, I'd download the Windows 8 CP (free) and use that until the Windows 8 launch prices are announced, with a bit of luck you might be able to get a bargain (Windows 7 HP Retail was £45 on launch), and if not you might be able to pick up a cheap copy of Win7 Retail someone is selling.
 
Hows the compatability with win 8 these days? Is it possible to just install win 7/xp based programs/drivers and use them as normal or? Probs a really bad way I've worded it hah
 
Generally yes. I've used Win8 on my work laptop for ages. Since its free you might as well try unless you really don't have any tolerance for beta software.
 
HeX said:
OEM - Tied to the hardware you initialy install it on. You can get away with a few small changes, but if you change too much, or the motherboard your licence becomes invalid and you'll need to buy a new one.
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This is all true if you follow the EULA to the letter.

From an actual in practical point of view you can use an OEM key exactly like a retail one and transfer it as much as you like.

You would never have any trouble moving an OEM key around different hardware as long as it was

1 - A bought license
2 - Only ever in use on 1 system at a time

This is not to say MS/EULA allows it. Just that it is possible.
 
I'm building a new PC and currently I am on Windows 7 which was an upgrade to an OEM version of Vista.

As far as I can see the Windows 8 CP can only be installed through an existing install, so do I have the following options:

1 - Install OEM vista on new machine and attempt to upgrade it to Win 7 again,
2 - Install OEM Vista on new machine and attempt to put Windows 8 CP over it,
3 - Attempt to install Windows 8 CP to a fresh machine?

Anyone know which of these is possible - is Vista OEM really tied to my old motherboard - i.e. if I install on new system will Microsoft know and make my product key invalid?

Cheers.
 
No, Windows 8 CP can be installed on a fresh machine.

Download the ISO, copy it to a USB stick/DVD and boot from it to install.

Vista OEM is tied to your old motherboard, as will any subsequent upgrades to the OS. I doubt it will automatically activate and MS, under their terms, are not compelled to allow you to use it on a new machine.
 
ChileanLlama said:
No, Windows 8 CP can be installed on a fresh machine.

Download the ISO, copy it to a USB stick/DVD and boot from it to install.

Vista OEM is tied to your old motherboard, as will any subsequent upgrades to the OS. I doubt it will automatically activate and MS, under their terms, are not compelled to allow you to use it on a new machine.
Click to expand...

You Phone Up > Use automated Menu System > Press 1 for "ONly in use on one system" (Or whatever it is now) > Automated system gives you activation Key

If it fails and/or you get put onto a person:

You say your PC died and swapped motherboard.

They ask if it's only in use on 1 system

You say yes (It is)

They provide Activation Key

Compelled to? Nope.
Will do? Yes.
 
Sin_Chase said:
You Phone Up > Use automated Menu System > Press 1 for "ONly in use on one system" (Or whatever it is now) > Automated system gives you activation Key

If it fails and/or you get put onto a person:

You say your PC died and swapped motherboard.

They ask if it's only in use on 1 system

You say yes (It is)

They provide Activation Key

Compelled to? Nope.
Will do? Yes.
Click to expand...

Not sure why you're quoting me? I know how it works. What you're describing is not automatic activation (solely from within Windows itself), and it's technically attempting to defraud MS when you lie that you swapped out a dead mobo.

Ultimately, if you tell the truth it's at MS's discretion whether they provide you a new activation code.

I don't really want to get in to that debate though, it's been done to death before.
 
I quoted and replied with respect to your comment on them being compelled to give an activation code, rather than whether the Automated Online Activation would occur or not :p

I am merely re-enforcing the notion that it is HIGHLY unlikely you will not be able to activate an OEM license.
 
With Windows 8 there'll no doubt me newer "beta's" over the summer, and then a final release. The recommended install will probably be a clean install each time. Then of course at some point you'll have to make a decision to buy Windows 8.

If you can live with that then maybe give Windows 8 a go - but be warned you'll probably feel very uncomfortable with the changes they've made for quite a while.
 
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