Windows 10 OEM on laptop

[jucilal]

Hi!

Company bought a new Acer laptop with linux on it. Procurement department however ordered a Win 10 OEM key seeing as it was cheaper. Are we allowed to install this OEM version on the laptop now?

Thanks in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

Hi!

Company bought a new Acer laptop with linux on it. Procurement department however ordered a Win 10 OEM key seeing as it was cheaper. Are we allowed to install this OEM version on the laptop now?

Thanks in advance!

If that license key is valid, maybe.
If it was cheap, it probably isn't "valid".

(it was almost certainly cheaper just buying the laptop with Windows already on it.)

 

[jucilal]

It wasn't cheap, as in a few dollars, the retail version costs around 203$ where we are at, while the OEM was 120 $. It is still sealed in its official packaging, so it is 100% valid.

We are still concerned whether or not we are allowed to install an OEM on a brand new laptop? Is that ok? Is there any special procedure we must follow?

 

[t53186]

There are limitations:
OEM versions of Windows 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

 

[USAFRet]

It wasn't cheap, as in a few dollars, the retail version costs around 203$ where we are at, while the OEM was 120 $. It is still sealed in its official packaging, so it is 100% valid.

We are still concerned whether or not we are allowed to install an OEM on a brand new laptop? Is that ok? Is there any special procedure we must follow?

Probably OK. Call a Microsoft sales rep and verify. They are the only ones who can really tell you.