OEM vs. retail windows

abweb123 · 29 Nov 2011 at 21:39

hi
I'm about to make my first build
In what circumstances would i want the full retail version of windows 7?
Is the OEM version fine?
thanks

j.col · 29 Nov 2011 at 21:42

if you buy the oem, then windows 7 will be tied to that motherboard.
if you buy the windows 7 retail, if you decide to change the motherboard/pc then you can install it on the new one.
personally i would get the retail

Pc.robb · 29 Nov 2011 at 21:45

OEM version is fine completely the same as the retail, but for OEM you can only activate it for 1 computer only once, retail varies.

Once activated the OEM license is sent to Microsoft HQ and your hardware is read and a code is generated by the components. It is possible to re format harddrives and installing and activate the OEM again only if the components are the same.

You can change the gpu, harddrive and ram, it goes of the motherboard.

*PERSON IN TOP GOT IN BEFORE ME

*

Confused · 29 Nov 2011 at 21:57

Get Retail.

ben90 · 2 Dec 2011 at 20:44

Edit - Doesnt matter, I had 2 different discs.