OEM OS with new motherboard?

[Starato]

Hi, I'm currently building a new PC and I was wondering if I clone my current HDD to a SSD will everything (applications,music,documents,etc) work with a new mobo/cpu?(Win 7 OEM OS, if that matters)

 

[12pak]

I tried that with Windows Vista once. Wouldn't work for me. You might have better luck.

 

[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 makes.

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

 

[hwc1954]

I have just changed my MB and CPU in a Dell computer with a DELL Win 7 OEM license. Absolutely no hassle at all. Everything booted just fine. Within a day, I got a pop-up saying that my Windows activation was not valid.

One of the options on the activation pop-up was to "enter a different Windows Product Key". I selected that option and entered my Win 7 OEM product key from the decal on the Dell. It went online, confirmed the product key, and activated Win 7 on the new MB. Took about 30 seconds. If you have a retail Windows, the product key is probably on Win packaging somewhere instead of on the OEM computer case.

This same thing may happen when you change to a new boot drive, although I think it does the online reactivation without having to enter the product key. No sweat. But, just to prevent possible problems, I would probably not swap the boot drive, the MB, and the CPU all at the same time. I'd either do the boot drive upgrade first, get the Win activation out of the way for that, and then do the MB/CPU upgrade. I don't know if that's necessary, but that's what I did. SSD first with the old MB. Then the MB.

Actually, I swapped MBs three times as I had boot issues after a couple days (long story) with the new MB and swapped BACK to the Dell MB/CPU until I sorted it out. So I was reactivating Win 7 several days in a row.

Microsoft Office will need reactivation the first time you run it. Same thing: automatic on-line reactivation. May or may not need enter a product key -- one time I did, one time I didn't.

Norton Anti-virus will ask for the product key.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's also illegal the license belongs to the DELL and can become invalid at any time.

 

[hwc1954]

Ha. Microsoft is welcome to come break down my front door and arrest me!

I'm not stealing their operating system. It's still installed on the DELL computer I bought it with. Says "DELL" right on the case! I just "repaired" it with non-Dell replacement parts.... I still have the Dell mouse, Dell, keyboard, Dell power supply, Dell Hard Drive, Dell DVD drive, and Dell wireless card that came with it!

Microsoft has an activation system that prevents installing the same Win 7 on TWO different computers. That's what they really care about. I not going to lie awake in a cold sweat waiting for them to pound on my door!