Differences between OS's

[71saint]

What is the difference between Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM and Windows 7 Home Premium Full?

 

[Rexper]

The full AKA Retail version will not be tied to your hardware. This means you see free to change the OS to a different system, as long as you have at most 1 system activated with a single product key.

The oem (which are more used by prebuilts) will be tied to your motherboard. This means if you have an oem version installed, you will not be able to upgrade motherboard or change to a different system without buying a new product key.

You generally want the 'Full' version. That said, you can buy the OEM package and just use the product key that comes with it with an ISO downloaded from Microsoft. This will act as a retail version.

 

[firefoxx04]

What Rexper said is mostly correct. Microsoft would prefer that you not change your hardware (motherboard), however, activation on a new motherboard does work, and when it does not, you can activate over the phone. This is useful for instances where you replace your motherboard, or your motherboard fails and you do not have access to the same model.

 

[jsmithepa]

Having used Professional forever, HOME annoys me too much, not able to Remote Desktop and do quick admin share \\host\c$ in between others.

 

[71saint]

Thank you for your help everyone!
Thank you firefoxx for the additional information.