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Is this OEM copy of Windows or just a Recovery CD?

Last response: in Windows 7
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So my tech teacher in high school retired and I was helping her move stuff out of the class room and she gave me this which looks like its a copy of windows 7 but it has no CD key. I think its just a recovery disk. What does anyone elts think? Here are some pictures.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/imag0213j.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/221/imag0212nnmg.j...

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/72/imag0211z.jpg/

More about : oem copy windows recovery

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Windows 7 Expert

It is likely a oem dvd, or possibly a recovery dvd.
Without the product key, you have nothing.
The product key identifies the type of windows product you have. With a legitimate product key, you can use any windows 7 dvd to install. A legitimate product key is needed to activate the license.

Also, a oem product key is tied to the motherboard on which it was first activated. Moving to a different motherboard violates the license agreement. Exceptions can be made for replacing damaged motherboards.

geofelt said:
It is likely a oem dvd, or possibly a recovery dvd.
Without the product key, you have nothing.
The product key identifies the type of windows product you have. With a legitimate product key, you can use any windows 7 dvd to install. A legitimate product key is needed to activate the license.

Also, a oem product key is tied to the motherboard on which it was first activated. Moving to a different motherboard violates the license agreement. Exceptions can be made for replacing damaged motherboards.

Yeah their is no Product Key. Oh well it was free anyway, she said she had like 5 copies of the same thing i have... Weird.

Best solution

That is an install disc, if it was still wraped in plastic then the CD key should be on a sticker inside the case.
It is likely that the school (not the teacher) owned the copy you hold, so I would return it to their IT department.
Windows 7 Expert

Russosaur said:
Oh well, looks like I'm shelling out 100$ for Windows after all or i will just use Ubuntu.


If you are a student with a .edu e-mail address, I think Microsoft will sell you the os for a discount.
Check for the rules.

As mentioned, oem copies of windows will have the product activation code hidden inside the package so it can not be easily stolen.

Not to change topic but. I have an old HP desktop with Windows XP Media Center Edition on it. Could I find an ISO for XP Media Center Edition and just use that Product key on old computer for the new computer I'm building for my parents? I texted my teacher and she said don't worry about it. We use a 1TB Flash drive to re-image about 40 PC's in out lab with windows 7/Xp.

@Russosaur,

Legally - not. That XP MCE license is bound to that old HP desktop.

Techically - probably, as long as you **somehow** find that ISO. If you (or someone you know) have access to TechNet or MSDN, that is a good place to look at (but even then, there is no guarantee that the two will match).

Finally - if you are building new PC for your folks, there's a chance you won't find all of drivers you would need for XP/MCE.
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