oem windows ?

[jatin_25]

is it ok to go with oem version ? Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-Bit (OEM) or should i go for the full pack ?

 

[Karsten75]

Everybody that build their own goes with OEM. The difference is that you don't get tech support from Microsoft - as much as that is worth anything.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes it is fine. No difference in the actual OS.

 

[Vexillarius]

[strike]You'd also be breaking the License Agreement since you won't sell the system. Microsoft used to be okay with that, but they're not anymore.

Not that Microsoft is going to go after some hobbyist building a PC with an OEM license, but still, technically it's not allowed.

EDIT: Source: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx
It's still okay for non .1 Windows 8 apparently.[/strike]

All of this is wrong. My apologies.

 

[jatin_25]

this is my first build , dont know much :s .. this is what i am talking about - http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Microsoft+Windows+8.1+-+64-Bit+(OEM)_C35P20816.html , it ok to go for the oem version , right ?

 

[USAFRet]

this is my first build , dont know much :s .. this is what i am talking about - http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Microsoft+Windows+8.1+-+64-Bit+(OEM)_C35P20816.html , it ok to go for the oem version , right ?

Yes.

 

[jatin_25]

@ vexillarius .. damn you scared the shit out of me :| well the oem version is pretty cheaper compared to the full version , its almost 60$ cheaper here , full version is 180$ here and oem is around 120$ 🙁

 

[Vexillarius]

[strike]I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you! Just thought it'd be good to know.
Windows is ridiculously expensive and I don't blame anyone for going with an OEM license, but if that's what you're going to do you should know about the implications.

Also, I believe you can actually get around this by selling the built system to for example, your mom, and then buying it back again for the same price...

Then again, I've never heard of a single case of Microsoft going after individuals using an OEM license for personal use. Why would they, it'd only cost them money and scare potential customers away. Microsoft prefers people buying an OEM license to people not buying a license at all.

Note: I'm not a lawyer or anything, so don't take my word for gospel.[/strike]

More wrongness. Sorry.

 

[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

 

[Karsten75]

You'd also be breaking the License Agreement since you won't sell the system. Microsoft used to be okay with that, but they're not anymore.

Not that Microsoft is going to go after some hobbyist building a PC with an OEM license, but still, technically it's not allowed.

EDIT: Source: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx
It's still okay for non .1 Windows 8 apparently.

Ok, so you just backtracked. Good.

 

[Vexillarius]

You'd also be breaking the License Agreement since you won't sell the system. Microsoft used to be okay with that, but they're not anymore.

Not that Microsoft is going to go after some hobbyist building a PC with an OEM license, but still, technically it's not allowed.

EDIT: Source: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx
It's still okay for non .1 Windows 8 apparently.

Ok, so you just backtracked. Good.

Oh damnit. I don't know what's up with me today. I read my own link completely wrong. I'm thinking of the Windows 7 situation and I see Full Retail Packaging Required and then I made a stupid, wrong assumption. I'm sorry.

I don't get this though:

As indicated in the license terms on the software Pack, use of OEM system builder software for Windows 8.1 products is subject to the following:

System builder products may only be used to preinstall as the operating system on a customer system you build to sell to an end user.*
System builder product may not be used as an upgrade license to an existing underlying Windows operating system.

*Note Japan only. As indicated on the system builder License on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Packs in Japan, system builders may distribute system builder software with a nonperipheral computer hardware component instead of preinstalled on a customer system.

Followed by:

Cannot be used as an operating system on any computer except one that you are building for your own use or as an operating system running on a local virtual machine or a separate partition, subject to additional terms.

Does that seem contradictory to anyone else?

EDIT: This is from the actual license though so I'm going with this:
How can I use the software? We do not sell our software or your copy of it – we only license it. Under our license, we grant you the right to install and run that one copy on one computer (the licensed computer) as the operating system on a computer that you build for your personal use, or as an additional operating system running on a local virtual machine or a separate partition, subject to the restrictions outlined under “Are there things I’m not allowed to do with the software?”