I seem to be a little behing the curb lol. Just figured out the difference between OEM and Retail versions of Windows. So I'm going to be purchasing Windows 7 this week probably on Friday. Just to make sure I'm thinking correctly OEM- Stuck the original machine you install it on. No MS tech support. If you do try to install onto a different computer you have to call and explain why you are doing it. $99 Retail- Basically the complete opposite. You can put on multiple machines but just one at a time. You have to uninstall one computer and then you can put it on the other computer. You get tech support. $199 Now I don't plan on buying anymore computers or anything. So for what I'll be doing should I just get the OEM version of it. Also if I upgrade my MOBO in the future will that mean I would be making a phone call to india to explain why I want to "move" my OS?
I'm not guaranteeing itll be the same for you but Ive had 2 OEM versions of Windows Vista ultimate running on 4 different machines (at different times). A quick phone call the first time you switch machines no questions asked just get a code to enter and then online activation works every time after that. So personally id go for OEM.
Only retarded people would phone M$ to inform them about anything they did with their own software DVD. Basically OEM and Retail are the same product. Difference is the "EULA". Since i don´t live in the U.S. i don´t care a **** about it and i wonder if i did if i would live there. LOL!!!
Well, I just switched to a new motherboard/CPU and didn't have to call or anything. I just did the usual activation online with no issues OEM version...
What is EULA? Okay that makes me feel a little more warm and cozy lol. I don't think I'd call MS for support anyways because they have terrible support from my experiences. Thanks for the super quick responses guys.
EULA = End User License Agreement ... the license you usually click "I Accept" without reading (for most people, I usually read mine). As for OEM, just reactivate whenever you reinstall Windows and said there was an unrecoverable error with the computer and warranted reinstall and they'll activate it for you. Done it many times before. deltatux
i beleive after 120 days after first activation you wont get asked to phone or put in product ID numbers. it will activiate via internet like normal. from my experience anyway. but if u activate it today and do a fresh install 2 weeks later u will be asked to phone MS. or automated service.
I have a Dell Studio 1558 that came with 7 Home Premium. I uninstalled 7 Home Premium, and installed 7 Ultimate. Then I installed the Dell OEM certificate with the SLP key. And now I have a free Ultimate without entering a serial key. Not that I use ultimate features anyway. As long as it's legally sold, you can buy OEM without trouble. 4launch.nl is a good website that sells it Dutch people for example.
If you're a post-secondary student, see if you school gives away free licenses. I know my college does. I get Windows 7 Professional and Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition free. I also get Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition (what I'm running right now) for free from Microsoft via their DreamSpark program. My college licenses are all retail licenses and the DreamSpark License is a Volume License. deltatux
Key works with both for OEM too. Only the installation medium is either 32 or 64-bit. However, most consumer PCs should run 64-bit because I seriously can't think of a reason not to unless you have an unreplaceable piece of hardware that must be kept that only have 32-bit drivers. deltatux
For me personally I get Retail, support etc, and you're not bound to one PC so you don't need to purchase a new OEM copy if you break or upgrade your motherboard for example. Or get a new PC all together for that matter.
Just go OEM.... If you "upgrade" later, you can still use the same copy of Windows. Worst case, you'll have to call Microsoft to activate. I've used nothing but OEM copies since XP launched.
