[Solved] Windows 7 - OEM vs Retail?

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

Getting Windows 7 tomorrow, but just wondering... is there a huge difference between the retail and OEM version other than the price and the ability to only install on a system ONCE? And lack of support?

I have a new system that I built myself and I just hope that everything installs correctly the first time. I don't see much of a point in getting retail as I only ever intend on using it on MY system. I do, however, intend on upgrading some of the drives in the future...

Reply to GoldenI

As long as you understand the limitations of the OEM version and you are okay with them, then I recommend you save some $$$ and go with the OEM version. The products are identical otherwise. Good luck!

Reply to COLGeek

Best answer

The limitations of an OEM license are:

Can only be installed on one computer (the first computer you install it on is the one it is then tied to). You can however, reinstall it on that computer as many times as you want to, or need to. If you buy a new system (Microsoft defines a computer by the motherboard), you must buy a new copy of Windows.

No support from Microsoft (because you are supposed to be selling the computer to someone else, you are the one providing support for it)

When buying the copy of Windows, you must specifically buy the 32 or the 64 bit version (both disks come in the retail version of the product).

------------------------------ 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

Best answer selected by GoldenI.

------------------------------

http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/1583422.png

Reply to GoldenI

I understand now - thanks.

Reply to GoldenI

Ask the community Add a reply

Related content

See all topics related to "Windows 7 - OEM vs Retail?"

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows 7 > General Discussion > [Solved] Windows 7 - OEM vs Retail?

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 2122 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 1.581 seconds

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel

Ads

Latest best answer

Windows media player

By fantastik250, 50 minutes ago:

No problem, you can try downloading codecs. There is one called CCCP or some other ones....

[Solved] Windows 7 - OEM vs Retail?

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

General Discussion

Configuration & Customization

Drivers

Security

Please mind