[Solved] Windows 7 OEM vs Retail Question

Forum Windows 7 : General Discussion [Solved] Windows 7 OEM vs Retail Question

Aloha!

I need an OS for my new system. I'm wondering if I can get the Win 7 Home OEM edition and then get the $30 upgrade to Win 7 Pro to gain all the advantages of a retail copy. (Advantages such as not having to worry about changing motherboards later and getting service if I need it.)

Thanks for any input!

~abc

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to abctao

Thanks for the info, but I might not have been clear enough. I know the differences between an OEM version and a retail version, but this is what I have a question about:

Quote :

Once you install an OEM copy of Windows 7 on a PC it must remain with that PC forever, unless upgraded to a newer version of Windows in the future.

If I upgrade an OEM copy via something like Anytime Upgrade (from Home to Profession, for instance), is it effectively like turning my OEM version into a retail version? Or am I still limited in terms of support and being tied to the same components?

The reason I ask is because as a student, I can get a $30 upgrade to Professional, and it would be cheaper to get the OEM version of Home and upgrade than to get a retail copy of Home.

Hope that makes sense.

~abc

Reply to abctao

Best answer

My understanding is that if the previous license was OEM, then no, you would not be able to transfer it. If you buy a retail version of, say, Home Premium, upgrade it to Professional via Anytime Upgrade and then want to transfer it, that would be ok.

But then again, I don't represent Microsoft in any way. It would probably be better to call them, or post your question on their Microsoft Answers forum. An official rep from Microsoft should be able to clarify for you.

------------------------------ Please give credit where credit is due! If you think this post was the most helpful, please remember to mark it as the best answer!
Reply to The_Prophecy

Thanks! Found a perfect reply there:

http://social.answers.microsoft.co [...] 860ee1b34f

Reply to abctao

Best answer selected by abctao.

Reply to abctao

abctao wrote :

EDIT: For anyone with the same question, I found a detailed explanation here: http://social.answers.microsoft.co [...] 860ee1b34f

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