HELP!?? I bought an win 8.1 OEM(?) copy off amazon. Dont know what to do

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

I don't know what oem even is. I bought the windows 8.1 64 bit that was the most popular. now a Microsoft tech said I cannot use an oem version for my new pc build that I need a retail cory. I thought that's what I bought. I also bought a flash drive since I wont have a disc drive on the new pc. I don't get the case til Monday so I wanted to put my copy of windows onto the flash so its ready. What am I to do now? I still haven't opened it.

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

What you bought is just fine.

To install from your USB, you will need another PC to put that install media on the USB.

i7Baby · Mar 4, 2015

I use Window 7 oem on mine. No problems. Just install it and see what happens. Nothing to lose.

OEM just means you can't transfer it to another PC. But you should be able to use it once.

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

i7Baby :

With Win 8/8.1, that is no longer the case. Obviously, only one PC at a time.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

I am on my old pc right now. It does have a disc drive. I afraid to even open it and don't want to accidently install it onto this pc. Im pretty green with this stuff.

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Perfectly fine , I just bought a copy off of newegg for my new build.

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.

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

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

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

I went on microsofts site and chatted w a tech to see if he could guide me through putting it onto the flash drive. but he said because it isn't a retail copy that it need an activation key.

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

You are fine.

To put that install on a USB, see this:
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
or this:
Rufus

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

You only mistake was asking the 21year old help desk kid at MS, who has been on the job for 3 weeks.
Unlike us, who have a collective centuries experience doing this...

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

lol, so I just pop the disc in and it will have an option to download it onto the flash?

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 4, 2015

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/ss/windows-8-clean-install-part-1.htm

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Not directly, no.

You may have to create an ISO image of that disk first.
Install this: CDBurnerXP
Put the disk in
In that application, choose 'Data disc'. that will allow you to create an ISO file of what is on the Windows DVD.
(ISO is a representation of the DVD, in a single file)
Then use that ISO file in one of the two above mentioned tools to port that over to the USB stick.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

So I don't need to do the other link blackbird sent because its just going onto a flash until I set up my new pc?

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Either way. I just gave the condensed version.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

okay thank you. I installed the program and its opened. I have the disc in and its ready to go but I have no clue what im doing. Do I also need to download the Microsoft download tool you linked earlier?

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Yes, you will need that too.
In the CDBurnerXP application, select 'Data Disc'
Select the drive letter your DVD is in
Select a target location for the ISO file. REMEMBER WHERE THIS IS AND WHAT YOU CALL IT.

Once done, then you proceed with the Windows USB tool, using that ISO file.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

great thanks so much. im trying to follow along in a step by step that was linked inside blackbirds link

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

okay so I saved the 3.900 mb file to my desktop. Now I just use that windows flash tool to add to flash, right?

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Exactly. The first step to to choose the ISO file.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

I will only need the key sticker #s that's on package when I activate it on new pc then?

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Correct.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

okay I have the iso on my desktop and I opened the windows tool and selected it but then it asked 'please select the media type you would like to use to create you WINDOWS 7 backup, you can choose to copy to usb or burn to dvd". Windows "7" backup? wouldn't it be a windows 8.1 backup?

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

nednerbish :

Disregard the "7" or "8.1" It works exactly the same.

nednerbish · Mar 4, 2015

Well thank you so much! It finished

Phew, im glad that's over with. I stress over these thing excessively. Thinking im gonna mess something up. Only to later realize it was totally unfounded. As all I technically did was make a digital version of the disc and copied it to the thumb drive. It always seems more complicated than it is. Where can I really learn more about all this? I want to get some sort of online schooling to do it for employment one day, hopefully. Kind of like Linus tech tip vids. That guy seems to know everything. I want that knowledge.

USAFRet · Mar 4, 2015

You have the worlds greatest information service, ever, literally at your fingertips. The Internet.

HELP!?? I bought an win 8.1 OEM(?) copy off amazon. Dont know what to do

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