How Windows Operating System Licensing Works?

What is OEM?

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OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEMs are companies or individuals that assemble personal computers and sell them to end users. When used in the context of an operating system, the OEM sells the PC with the OS installed and preconfigured. The OEM is responsible for providing end user support

What are the types of activation key?

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There are four main types of activation keys. Retail, OEM, Single Activation, and Volume Licence.

Retail keys accompany full editions of Windows. They may be purchased by end users for the end user's own use. A retail key may be installed as many times and on as many computers as the end user wishes so long as only one installation exists at any one time.

OEM keys are supposed to be purchased by OEMs and are supposed to be delivered to the end user along with a computer that has that operating system already installed. OEM keys are cheaper than retail keys, but OEM keys are bound to the computer on which the activation occurs.

Single Activation keys are a special kind of non-commercial key that are used for academic and non-profit use, they cannot be purchased. These keys are typically only valid for a single activation.

Volume Licence. These keys can be used on a large number of computers at once subject to an agreement between the user's organization and Microsoft. Volume Licence keys cannot be purchased individually and are only available through an extensive Software Assurance agreement.

What are the types of windows operating system installer?(im not sure but those words I've heard "retail version and upgrade version")

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There are two major installation formats.

Full Installation. This format can be used to install the operating system completely from scratch, to repair an existing operating system installation, or to upgrade a compatible older installation.

Upgrade. This format is more compact (much smaller) and does not necessarily require deployment to an external bootable media (bootable USB stick or DVD). It is shipped in the form of an executable and performs an in-place operating system upgrade.

OEM. Some OEMs distribute modified installers with their products. These installers are typically variations on the Full installation that include OEM specific software and customizations.

Please note that the installation format is independent of the licence format. That is, a full installation media may be used with OEM keys, retail keys, single activation keys, and volume licence keys.

How many times can I install a purchased windows os installer with activation key?

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This depends on the type of activation key as listed above.

If I installed and activated it already can I use that installer and activation key into a another computer?

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It depends on the type of activation key as listed above. However, both the Retail and OEM licence keys allow only a single installation to be used at any given time. The licence may be transferred to another PC only if the first installation is deactivated.

If I have pre installed o.s and I will reformat my laptop and use different windows operating system installer, the license will be gone?

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Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 support SLIC activation. Some OEMs such as Dell and HP may embed the activation key in the motherboard firmware. If the appropriate edition is installed the operating system will self activate if it detects a matching licence in the firmware.

Is there an windows operating system installer that can be install in several computers? (all computers are licensed with one windows operating system installer)

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See above, the licence is independent of the installer. An organization with a volume licence may use the same installer to install Windows on many computers. However, most organizations will modify the installation media to suit their purposes.

if I buy actvation key is that exclusive and can be use in one computer? what if i reinstall the windows operating sytem in that computer can I use it again?

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Yes. OEM keys are bound to a single computer (With a personal-use exception for Windows 8 that no one seems to understand). They may be reactivated on that same computer as many times as the user wishes as long as the motherboard is not changed. If the motherboard is to be replaced, it should be replaced with an identical model. Please note that retail (non-OEM) motherboards such as those found at most PC stores may present problems for OEM licensed editions of Windows if the motherboard firmware is updated.

[I check my disk partition] What is the OEM partition?

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Many OEMs include customized recovery partitions to aid the customer in repairing their PC.

if I have a fresh hdd and install an windows o.s... then use the activation key.. the installer will create another partition?.. or all files will be istalled into a one partition ?

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Windows will automatically create the necessary partitions on an empty drive. By default it will populate the entire drive volume with a single partition. If the motherboard supports UEFI an additional small UEFI service partition may be created.

if I have a partition having a license of the windows 7 then I reformat my primary partition where windows 7 was installed and install a new one like windows 8, windows 8 will be a license copy also?

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If the Windows 7 licence is a Retail licence, it may be installed on another computer once removed from the PC. If the Windows 7 licence is an OEM licence, it is no longer useful.

The installation of Windows 8 will require its own licence, or an upgraded Windows 7 licence.