(HELP)Buying a used Windows 7 OEM cd with key

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Devildervish

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Oct 14, 2014
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Hello,I'm buying a Windows 7 OEM CD not from Retail but a second hand consumer.He said that it was used before and it comes with a product key.As I've checked online and it's said that it can only be activated on a single computer at any time,would it be usable if I bought it?

Also,is there a way to check whether it is genuine?
This is written on the outer cd case
The OEM software may not be delivered unless accompanied by the required hardware under the Microsoft OEM System Builder License located at
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/.
End-user support is the responsibility of the installer of this software.

Some told me that It would work, but if I try to download updates from Microsoft I might get an illegal copy message and they will block my download.So can I overide his license as I have the original CD and key?

Thank you very much

The seller's reply to me is that he has upgraded from that window 7 license to windows 8.1 so it can be used as the product key is not in use
 
Solution
hang-the-9


There are several utilities that are made to save the updates offline for later use. I have not tried them but did download and run the WSUS Offline Update, but have not actually tried to restore the files onto a clean system yet. Seeing how I often install at least one clean Windows setup a week on average I should really try these out LOL

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/offline-windows-update/
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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Mar 25, 2010
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It may work, it may not work, either way it's not a legal use of the OEM key. An OEM key is not transferable from the original computer it was installed on. If it does activate the first time you try it, a week later it may not be valid and will ask for a key again to register Windows.

The activated on a single computer at a time that you read is not quite right. It can only be activated on one computer, period. The retail license you can move from computer to computer as long as it's on only one at atime. Any Windows license unless you have a volume license is only valid on a single system at a time.
 
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blackpearl1477

blackpearl1477

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Oct 21, 2014
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normally the oem disk is tied to the motherbord on first install. rest of the devices may be changed. i too have an oem disk and i upgraded to an different motherboard. i had to call mocrosoft by phone and all is fine now. only difference with you and me is that i owned both motherboards. there is an 50/50 chance if you try by phone. but i do think the other pc must not use the install of that oem disk anymore to work. good luck.
 
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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Aug 18, 2009
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Windows 8.1 will also receive Direct X updates.


With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.


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 makes.

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 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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blackpearl1477

blackpearl1477

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Oct 21, 2014
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ok. so it means i do have an retail version. now that is clear to me.
only thing that sucks a little is that i get over 200 updates when i do a clean install (this is without office2010!). takes me all my weekend to install & tweak my pc.
MS is lazy to make an SP for win7!
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

Titan
Mar 25, 2010
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There are several utilities that are made to save the updates offline for later use. I have not tried them but did download and run the WSUS Offline Update, but have not actually tried to restore the files onto a clean system yet. Seeing how I often install at least one clean Windows setup a week on average I should really try these out LOL

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/offline-windows-update/
 
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