Hello,
I have a question concerning which version of Windows 7 would be best for me to purchase: OEM or Upgrade.
Although I haven't decided whether or not I am going to get Home Premium or Ultimate (as an at-home gamer, I am not sure if the features in Ultimate justify the additional cost), I am unsure whether or not I should get Windows 7 OEM or Upgrade. While I am currently using a computer with Windows 7 64-bit RC Build 7100 on it, I do have the license key for a Windows XP 32-bit OEM that came with the computer I mean to put the Windows 7 RTM on. However, I am unsure whether or not my Windows XP 32-bit OEM product key will be valid in the installation of the Windows 7 Upgrade as the key is now almost seven years old. In addition, I am wondering whether upgrading using my key (if it's valid) will prevent me from using it again in a situation where I find myself having to reformat my computer or even having to get a new one.
Furthermore, I am wondering whether or not I even need to spend money on the upgrade version when the OEM version is anywhere from twenty to forty-five dollars cheaper. Yet, because of my ignorance about how the OEM system works and generally bad internet search skills, I am afraid that if I buy the OEM, but then realize that I need to install a new motherboard (or any crucial component) or get a new computer for any reason, that I will be required to buy another OEM, and I would have been better off spending the extra twenty dollars in the first place. However, I have used my Windows XP OEM CD to reinstall Windows XP several times even after getting a new computer or doing a major upgrade, so I thought maybe I could do the same with a Windows 7 OEM.
(Also, I would like to add that I do not care about the ability to "upgrade" as opposed to having to clean install the OS, as I will have to clean install either option I choose because I am using the RC.)
TL;DR: In short, the question is this: "Given that I have a Windows XP OEM license key and there is a small chance that I will have to either perform a major computer upgrade or get a new computer in the next few years, would it be better for me to get an Upgrade version of Windows 7 or an OEM version of Windows 7?"
Thank you so much for your help!
I have a question concerning which version of Windows 7 would be best for me to purchase: OEM or Upgrade.
Although I haven't decided whether or not I am going to get Home Premium or Ultimate (as an at-home gamer, I am not sure if the features in Ultimate justify the additional cost), I am unsure whether or not I should get Windows 7 OEM or Upgrade. While I am currently using a computer with Windows 7 64-bit RC Build 7100 on it, I do have the license key for a Windows XP 32-bit OEM that came with the computer I mean to put the Windows 7 RTM on. However, I am unsure whether or not my Windows XP 32-bit OEM product key will be valid in the installation of the Windows 7 Upgrade as the key is now almost seven years old. In addition, I am wondering whether upgrading using my key (if it's valid) will prevent me from using it again in a situation where I find myself having to reformat my computer or even having to get a new one.
Furthermore, I am wondering whether or not I even need to spend money on the upgrade version when the OEM version is anywhere from twenty to forty-five dollars cheaper. Yet, because of my ignorance about how the OEM system works and generally bad internet search skills, I am afraid that if I buy the OEM, but then realize that I need to install a new motherboard (or any crucial component) or get a new computer for any reason, that I will be required to buy another OEM, and I would have been better off spending the extra twenty dollars in the first place. However, I have used my Windows XP OEM CD to reinstall Windows XP several times even after getting a new computer or doing a major upgrade, so I thought maybe I could do the same with a Windows 7 OEM.
(Also, I would like to add that I do not care about the ability to "upgrade" as opposed to having to clean install the OS, as I will have to clean install either option I choose because I am using the RC.)
TL;DR: In short, the question is this: "Given that I have a Windows XP OEM license key and there is a small chance that I will have to either perform a major computer upgrade or get a new computer in the next few years, would it be better for me to get an Upgrade version of Windows 7 or an OEM version of Windows 7?"
Thank you so much for your help!
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