Windows 7 OEM

[khevolution]

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I'm currently computer-less and typing this out on my phone. I'm just about to build a new computer and have decided on going for win 7 for this one , but looking around I see the OEM version is quite a bit cheaper then the full retail version , but under further research I find that the OEM Is locked to the motherboard. is this true??? as I plan to update this rig quite often and don't want to pay for a new OS everytime.

 

[mothermachine]

Yes that's correct. But many have found that it's possible to phone them up and tell them your mobo died and had to replace it, and they might allow you to move the license over. Not that I'd encourage such things... but this is why a lot of people buy Retail copies. No issues, then.

 

[khevolution]

and is it possible to use as many times? just want to make sure before I buy it, as 120 quid for software in my eyes is still expensive, and at the moment a huge chunk out of my budget

 

[stoofa]

Oh good - the weekly OEM thread.
Let me get down to the basics for you.
OEM Windows is tied to the motherboard it was originally installed on.
There is just one "if" to this situation - if that motherboard fails and you have a replacement then the OS can be reinstalled.

There is no other situation in the EULA that allows for the moving of OEM software.
So, if in the future you decide to swap your motherboard you will need to buy a new copy of the OS.
The difference in price is £80 and £125.
It is really quite easy to see that if you plan on upgrading your motherboard only once during the lifetime of Windows 7, the retail version makes most sense.
At motherboard upgrade one your cost for Windows 7 becomes £160, comapred to the £125 you spent on the retail version.

If you have no intention of sticking to the EULA then the simple solution is not to buy Windows at all and to download yourself an illegal copy.
Moving an OEM license from one machine to another invalidates the license - so you would be no more legal than somebody who illegally downloaded.

If you've actually got any intention of buying Windows then buy OEM if you've no intention of upgrading the motherboard.
Buy retail if you've got the intention of replacing the motherboard.
Steal it if you plan on breaking the license agreement - no point paying for an illegal installation.

 

[stoofa]

and is it possible to use as many times? just want to make sure before I buy it, as 120 quid for software in my eyes is still expensive, and at the moment a huge chunk out of my budget

£120 is expensive?
Windows 7 will be "the OS" for at least another year.
It works out at 33p a day for something that you will use everyday.
That 33p also gives you access to all updates and gives you the ability to move it from one machine to another.
On top of that, once Windows 7 becames old you can buy a cheap upgrade to Windows 8 rather than the full version again.
Alternatively you could move your Windows 7 to another machine or you could even resell it on to somebody else.

It is not expensive in the least.

 

[Hagar]

How many times would you replace a motherboard in the life of an operating system?
Probably only once, except for hardware failures. Assuming two years or so for the life of a build. This takes you to 2015 and probably windows 8 or 9.
Windows OEM used has zero retail value whereas the retail version will have some residual value with its ability to install on one system at a time regardless of hardware changes.
£120 is not a huge amount of money considering that without an OS your hardware is a large paperweight. You can obviously use a free OS or the cheaper OEM (£80), the choice is yours, personally I prefer the retail version as a one off purchase to allow for all contingencies and a licence for life to use in VM's etc.

 

[khevolution]

I know in the grand scheme of things £120 is not a lot compared to the hardware. but I have very little funds for a new build and want to do things properly and right and so will being doing the build slowly and month by month


sorry if its a question that's been millions of times before, but as I said Ive only got my phone to do my internet browsing, so searching everywhere is not an option.

I'm thinking the retail version. is the only sencible option unlike many other parts of my future machine its the one thing I can use over and over



thanks for the replies you can now delete if mods think appropriate