windows 7 OEM

GazEaton · 27 Nov 2014 at 20:36

I'm considering upgrading my PC soon, its more home office based, but I do play the odd game here and there.

Will I need a new Windows key if I upgrade all my main components?? Or is there a way I can use my OEM twice??.. If not, is there anywere I can buy a win 7 disc that I can use multiple times without any hassle?

Cheers

RJC · 27 Nov 2014 at 20:38

OEM License is tied with the motherboard you first installed / activated on, changing the board would require a new licence.

You can buy Retail versions of Windows 7 which you can move to a new system, also Windows 8 OEM bought from here will allow you to move to a new system (licence has changed with Windows 8)

andicole0 · 27 Nov 2014 at 20:39

You used to be able to get 3 user Windows 7 licenses for little more than the price of one.

Family pack it is now called I think.

Andi.

GazEaton · 7 Dec 2014 at 18:16

I've never used Windows 8, always loved Win 7, is there much difference now as 8.1 is out?....

So with a OEM Win8 from OCuk, i can upgrade my mobo as often as i want and not have to buy a new licence each time?

RJC · 7 Dec 2014 at 20:40

GazEaton said:
I've never used Windows 8, always loved Win 7, is there much difference now as 8.1 is out?....

So with a OEM Win8 from OCuk, i can upgrade my mobo as often as i want and not have to buy a new licence each time?

Windows 8 has some differences as you don't have the main start menu like Windows 7 but you can get skins which change this, I have Windows 8onmy main pc and not had any issues wanting my to go back.

If you do buy Windows 8 from Ocuk you can can change the motherboard in the future without the need the need for a new licence. you might need to phone Microsoft to activate, but this is usually and automatic service.

zakblood · 7 Dec 2014 at 21:37

wouldn't buy win 7 now anyway as it's out of date soon so just get 8 for now as 10 will be out later anyway

GazEaton · 8 Dec 2014 at 13:48

RJC said:
Windows 8 has some differences as you don't have the main start menu like Windows 7 but you can get skins which change this, I have Windows 8onmy main pc and not had any issues wanting my to go back.

If you do buy Windows 8 from Ocuk you can can change the motherboard in the future without the need the need for a new licence. you might need to phone Microsoft to activate, but this is usually and automatic service.

Can OCuk verify this?

Orcvader · 8 Dec 2014 at 13:51

Microsoft has changed it so you can change the motherboard as much as you want, OEM and retail copies are pretty much the same: http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en-gb/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx

RJC · 8 Dec 2014 at 13:52

GazEaton said:
Can OCuk verify this?

It should be in the terms of the licence. Microsoft changed the licence terms for Windows 8 as they don't do a Retail pack like they did with Windiws 7.

GazEaton · 8 Dec 2014 at 22:49

You may only install one copy of the software on one computer.

Can be transferred to new hardware, if removed from the prior PC.
(What if my mobo decided to die? and i wanted to upgrade to a far superior mobo then the one before for the sake of durability etc? would a call to Microsoft for a new licence be fine as those two above kind of mean different things?)