Question about fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium "OA"

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soulweeper

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I have an ASUS A53 laptop that I use for my Exede internet installs. It rides in my truck every day, and I think the vibration/movement is taking a toll on the HDD. I have an Intel SSD coming tomorrow, and I'm hearing all different opinions on how to deal with the OS.

I was considering cloning the HDD to the SSD, but as you already know, a clean install is better, and will rid my computer of the crap that ASUS installs, that I don't need. I was also told that the hidden recovery partition won't clone over, which wouldn't bother me, but seems like it would cause problems, but not sure.

All that being said, my understanding is....since I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on the laptop now, and as long as I'm not changing my motherboard, that I can simply download the Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit ISO, install it on the new SSD, and I can use the product key that is on my COA sticker.

One potential problem I see is...the sticker says Windows 7 Home Premium OA. I called Microsoft, and the guy told me that the OA simply means that the OS was preloaded at the factory. He also said, for what I want to do, I need a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM ISO, in order to use my product key.

Is he right? If so, I can't find a Win 7 Home Premium OEM ISO anywhere. I'm tempted to just clone it, but I don't see a reason why I can't do a fresh install, and use the same product key.

Any advice/input greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
SchizTech
Since you're re-installing on the same motherboard the key should be fine. As to the disk image, there's no difference between OEM and Retail Windows software; the difference is entirely in the policy carried by the key.
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soulweeper

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I have the ISO already, my concern is that the version on my laptop says Windows 7 Home Premium OA, and I think the OA simply means it's an OEM version, installed at the factory, and it's tied to the motherboard, in which case, an ISO that is Windows 7 Home Premium(without any OA) should be fine, but I'm not sure. The fact that is says "OA" after the description is my concern, in a nutshell.
 
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soulweeper

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Ah...gotcha. Thanks!
 
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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Windows7-2.jpg



OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com


Windows8-1_zps0f2f36f7.png



Windows 8 OEM is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx
 
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