windows 10 OEM vs Retail for laptop

[chachee99]

I purchased a used Lenovo y50-70 laptop, but dont have the recovery software. I want to install windows 10 pro. Should i get the OEM or Retail edition? I know the difference between the but I am curious if I purchase the OEM version, will it conflict with the mb that original had windows 8.1 registered to it?

 

[USAFRet]

I purchased a used Lenovo y50-70 laptop, but dont have the recovery software. I want to install windows 10 pro. Should i get the OEM or Retail edition? I know the difference between the but I am curious if I purchase the OEM version, will it conflict with the mb that original had windows 8.1 registered to it?

No, it will not conflict.

 

[chachee99]

Ok cool. Also, if I have windows 10 retail installed on my laptop. Can i use the same email i registered with that version with a second copy of the same OS, or does Microsoft restrict only one OS registered to each email address?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok cool. Also, I have windows 10 retail installed on my laptop. Can i use the same email i registered with that version with a second copy of the same OS, or does Microsoft restrict only one OS registered to each email address?

Assuming you have a valid second license key, I think you can use the same email address.
NOTE: This may impact your use, in that settings may sync between the two systems. This may be good, or this may be bad.

 

[chachee99]

so the OEM or the Retail? The price difference is about 10 dollars.

 

[USAFRet]

so the OEM or the Retail? The price difference is about 10 dollars.

The OEM is fine.

If I may ask...why Win 10 Pro instead of Home?
Pro has no performance benefit, just some corporate level features.

 

[chachee99]

same price

 

[USAFRet]

same price

From a valid legal source, that is very unusual.
But you go with that.

Again..OEM is fine.

 

[chachee99]

Yeah it's fine. My main concern was it being installed on a laptop where the MB may of been already tied to a different OS (windows 8.1). I have Windows 10 pro retail on my home PC, but it was a custom built pc. The laptop was made by Lenovo.

 

[chachee99]

My main concern is about the possibility of installation conflict. I was thinking that manufactures want people to use the OS that is made for the computer. Especially so they can give you their bloatware. Perhaps i am overthinking, but I dont want to waste my money.

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah it's fine. My main concern was it being installed on a laptop where the MB may of been already tied to a different OS (windows 8.1). I have Windows 10 pro retail on my home PC, but it was a custom built pc. The laptop was made by Lenovo.

The motherboard isn't tied to a particular license key, but rather the other way around.
An OEM license would be linked to a particular motherboard. But post Win 10 1607, even that is not really a consideration.

The OEM thing you're looking at will be fine.

 

[chachee99]

what happened with Windows 10 build 1607?

 

[USAFRet]

what happened with Windows 10 build 1607?

It allows almost any Win 10 license to be moved to different hardware, instead of being strictly tied to a particular system/motherboard.

Read more here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

 

[chachee99]

I didn't know that. Maybe the only real perk of owning the retail version is Microsoft tech support?

 

[USAFRet]

I didn't know that. Maybe the only real perk of owning the retail version is Microsoft tech support?

Yup.
And you can generally get MUCH better 'support' at a place like here, instead of MS.

How many times have you had to call MS for an issue other than license activation?
Me personally, never ever.

 

[Bo Lee]

Just make sure your copy of Windows 10 is registered. Your key will be tied to your account. If you have a major hardware change and have to activate it again, you can tell it you don't have a key and it will give you the option of logging into your account and checking for registered keys.