OEM or Retail

[traviscollins]

I am very much confused about the installation. I want to install Windows 8.1 Pro on multiple computers, all working at a time. I am confused whether I should go for OEM or not, and I dont want to buy multiple license keys as it will affect my budget.
Should I go for OEM?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Neither may be used on multiple PCs at the same time.

OEM = one license on one particular set of hardware. The authentication system look at the hardware and creates a hash code, you can change several devices at a time. Opticals, and HDs are almost no impact .... a motherboard CPU change however can be equivalent to changing like 6 items and may result in deactivation. I have twice done upgrades in the last 18 months (1156 to 1155 platforms) changing both CPU and MoBo and leaving everything else the same without issue. But I was careful to use same MoBo manufacturer and same price range so that many of the supporting items (I.e. on board LAN, sound, etc) were the same.

Retail = one license which may be used on one PC at a time. Using it on a 2nd PC voids the license on a previous one.

 

[bgunner]

the key only works on one PC at a time you will not be able to get 1 OS and put it on 3 machines. They do sell OS's in packs of 3 though.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. only Good on the motherboard it's installed on.
Retail = able to put it on any PC as long as it is on only one at a time. can be swapped from PC to PC as you build new ones.

I personally like the retail licence's as I no longer need to Buy an OS each time I build a new PC.

 

[drtweak]

Well the thing is if you do go Retail and install it on the other PC's and run them at the same time you are violating the EULA which we also see on here as Piracy (Or well most people at least) But in your case you will have to buy a key for each and every one if you plan on running them all at the same time.

 

[techgeek]

Windows 8 did away with the "Retail" version. There are only the "Upgrade" and "OEM" versions.

 

[USAFRet]

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. only Good on the motherboard it's installed on.

Incorrect.

For Windows 8/8.1, the licensing has changed significantly. An 'OEM' license is no longer tied to the first motherboard it is installed on.
If you buy it, and you install it, you may reinstall on whatever hardware you want.
Only one PC at a time. But there is no longer the restriction of 'this motherboard'.

 

[USAFRet]

I personally like the retail licence's as I no longer need to Buy an OS each time I build a new PC.

With Windows 8, that is no longer a consideration. Reinstall on whatever hardware you want.
Only one at a time.

 

[bgunner]

I personally like the retail licence's as I no longer need to Buy an OS each time I build a new PC.

With Windows 8, that is no longer a consideration. Reinstall on whatever hardware you want.
Only one at a time.

I can't stand windows 8 or 8.1 so I stick with Win 7 that it does apply to. I have Win 8.1 on my laptop and can't stand it.

 

[techgeek]

The only time it's tied to a single motherboard is if it's used by a "system builder", the licence specifies that if it's for personal use (you installed it on your computer yourself and didn't come as part of an OEM system) then you can transfer the licence to another computer.

Link

 

[USAFRet]

I personally like the retail licence's as I no longer need to Buy an OS each time I build a new PC.

With Windows 8, that is no longer a consideration. Reinstall on whatever hardware you want.
Only one at a time.

I can't stand windows 8 or 8.1. so I stick with Win 7 that it does apply to. I have Win 8 on my laptop and can't stand it.

That may be. But the OP asked about Win 8.

 

[bgunner]

The fact remains that 1 key only works on 1 machine unless it is a system builders licence. 3 OS keys, what ever OS you choose, will need to be purchased.

 

[USAFRet]

The fact remains that 1 key only works on 1 machine unless it is a system builders licence. 3 OS keys, what ever OS you choose, will need to be purchased.

Right. 1 license, 1 PC.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.

OEM versions of Windows 7 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

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com

Windows 8 is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

 

[rhapdog]

Windows 8 did away with the "Retail" version. There are only the "Upgrade" and "OEM" versions.

Wow. I didn't realize that. And here I just bought the Full Retail Version of Windows 8.1 just 3 days ago. If I would have known that it wasn't sold, I wouldn't have bothered going to the store.

I think what you mean to say is, Microsoft still sells OEM and Retail versions, but there is no longer a difference except in the packaging of the product and whether or not you get a limited time of free support from Microsoft. OEM is generally less expensive, and Upgrade is less expensive. You have to have a valid upgrade path to use the Upgrade version. With OEM, however, you don't get the free direct support from Microsoft support personnel.

I bought the full Retail version, simply because I upgraded a machine from XP (hardware upgrades first, then installed the OS as a clean install to a new SSD.) I thought the support might come in handy with issues associated with the new OS, as I've never used Windows 8.1 until 3 days ago.

Here's my suggestion for the Opening Poster
-------------------------------------------------------------
Go with the Retail version if you think you may need the support from Microsoft to get you running the way you want to be running. Or at least get ONE retail version, and the rest OEM. If all the machine builds are the same, questions to Microsoft about one should answer the questions on the other, because the questions will be the same.

You will have to spend the money and purchase multiple licenses. A license can only be used on one computer. Your only other option, since you say buying multiple license keys will affect your budget, is to put Windows 8.1 on one machine, and a version of Linux or another free OS on the other systems. I don't think you'd be happy that way. If you can't afford the OS with the computers, then you can't afford the computers. Buy what you can afford, and save up for the rest.