Windows 7 oem

anything I don't mind · 11 Feb 2011 at 12:41

Taken from:

"Reimaging Licensed Microsoft Software by Using Volume Licensing Media February 2011"

• Organizations do not have the right to reimage by using OEM media.
• An OEM image can only be preloaded on a PC by the OEM during manufacturing. An image can be individually recovered by the organization (or a service provider they choose) by using the Recovery Media. The OEM recovery media should match the product version originally preinstalled on the system; no other image may be used to restore the system to its original state.

Microsoft forcing people to buy software assurance now... you would think that they have/make enough money selling their products as usual without having to resort to ridiculous licensing schemes.

stoofa · 11 Feb 2011 at 14:05

I don't see how this is restrictive.

We are on an OVS agreement.
So our Windows images are generated using the OVS versions of the OS.
The original OEM license is simply there for license complience.
None of our machines actually "go out to users" with the OEM version of the OS running.

It then goes on to say that nothing other than the original OEM disk maybe used to restore the machine to its original state.
Well that is fair enough as if you use any other media then it wouldn't be restored to it's original state.

Can you explain how this is problematic?

anything I don't mind · 11 Feb 2011 at 14:54

I guess i struggle to understand with microsofts use of language.

May I or may I not use an oem installation to sysprep and create an image (without a cd key), then image 100 oem pcs (with same windows version) using the cd key on the sticker on the pc during install?

Also can you even buy new HP pcs without the oem installation?

This looks like it is going to be cheaper to buy full retail copies of windows 7 professional because software assurance works out more expensive with no actual benefits and you also end up wasting money on oem.

say we bought 100 new pcs with windows 7 pro oem on them. that is like £6000 on oem wasted if we went with software assurance then we would be paying far more for windows 7 licensing than if we just bought a retail copies. but i am sure microsoft have some policy that says you can not image with windows 7 retail. bound to be some restriction.

SiriusB · 11 Feb 2011 at 16:48

I am somewhat sure that the VLK licensing requires you to upgrade from an existing OS - so you may as well have the OEM installation come with the PCs anyway.

As for using a Retail disc for deployment, I am unsure. Only know about the OEM restrictions.

theheyes · 11 Feb 2011 at 17:04

Do you actually need Software Assurance?

anything I don't mind · 12 Feb 2011 at 14:38

That i do not know, what would you suggest?

buying 100 pcs with oem windows 7 preinstalled. Requirement: make an image and deploy to all the machines. Minimise cost or even just not have to pay for oem and then a bloated volume license with training vouches etc. ie minimize wasteful spending.

so if we upgrade from windows 7 oem is that even possible? volume license without software assurance?