Way back when, I installed windows 10 PRO OEM.
OEM was a mistake, but what did I know then.
The primary reason was to be able to defer some big upgrades for up to a year.
Now, apparently, that is no longer allowed, making Home and PRO equally good for what I do.
I have since upgraded my motherboard and am no longer activated, still running PRO.
All my apps and settings moved intact.
Not a real biggie, the faint watermark on the lower right is the only impact I can see.
I will buy a retail activation code at some point.
I want to plan for a future upgrade to windows 11.
PRO code retail will be $199, $130 for HOME on newegg.
I no longer see any cheaper OEM versions listed.
$130 for HOME would be all I need, but I see no easy way to do this.
Unless there is an easy way to preserve my C drive, I will spring for $199 for the pro retail version.
That should allow a windows 11 upgrade at some time.
Windows offers a $199 activation via the microsoft store.
Do you get an activation code that you can use in the future for motherboard changes?
How does this differ from buying a win 10 PRO install package directly from newegg at the same price?
I know you get the printable code in the package from newegg.
OEM was a mistake, but what did I know then.
The primary reason was to be able to defer some big upgrades for up to a year.
Now, apparently, that is no longer allowed, making Home and PRO equally good for what I do.
I have since upgraded my motherboard and am no longer activated, still running PRO.
All my apps and settings moved intact.
Not a real biggie, the faint watermark on the lower right is the only impact I can see.
I will buy a retail activation code at some point.
I want to plan for a future upgrade to windows 11.
PRO code retail will be $199, $130 for HOME on newegg.
I no longer see any cheaper OEM versions listed.
$130 for HOME would be all I need, but I see no easy way to do this.
Unless there is an easy way to preserve my C drive, I will spring for $199 for the pro retail version.
That should allow a windows 11 upgrade at some time.
Windows offers a $199 activation via the microsoft store.
Do you get an activation code that you can use in the future for motherboard changes?
How does this differ from buying a win 10 PRO install package directly from newegg at the same price?
I know you get the printable code in the package from newegg.