WIndows 10 pro retail or WIndows 10 pro OEM?

[KaiserPhantasma]

I know you might just redirect me to a page saying "difference between OEM and retail OS" but I have a dilemma...

I only have one PC but am afraid of windows OEM policy where if it was installed it would be "stuck" to the mobo it was installed on... its fine and all but what if I upgrade in the near future and replace the mobo with a newer one?

 

[USAFRet]

Buy the Retail (when it is available).

 

[3hunna]

I agree with USAFRet

 

[kyllien]

Retail extends the whole life of the device thing.

OEM Windows 10 locks you into one configuration. If you change the configuration too much it is considered a new computer and the license won't be valid anymore. Changing the motherboard is considered too much. You may be able to call Microsoft in a case where you need to replace the motherboard and they may offer you a new product code. Or they may direct you to purchase a new Windows 10 license.

The Retail license is more flexible as it is transferable. However if you don't release the license from the old computer yourself then you may need to call Microsoft to release it.

So I say Retail as well.

On the other hand. If you are only going to be building a new computer every couple of years the OEM license is cheaper now. And in the future you may be able to purchase an updated OEM copy, with services/feature packs built in.

 

[captaincharisma]

the retail is always the best option but also keep in mind the retail version is more expensive then the OEM version

 

[ifIwasarichman]

I get Win 10 Pro 64 bit OEM for my NUC's as it is significantly cheaper,
Never had a faulty MB yet (fingers crossed, set-up over 20 of them so far), these things are generally fairly bullit proof - still running my old i3 4010u NUC 24/7 since new (over 3 years now) withtout a problem.
Even if I get caught out, I can buy about 10 OEM's to one retail, so no real drama paying for one new Win 10.

 

[Colif]

I get Win 10 Pro 64 bit OEM for my NUC's as it is significantly cheaper,
Never had a faulty MB yet (fingers crossed, set-up over 20 of them so far), these things are generally fairly bullit proof - still running my old i3 4010u NUC 24/7 since new (over 3 years now) withtout a problem.
Even if I get caught out, I can buy about 10 OEM's to one retail, so no real drama paying for one new Win 10.

This advice is out dated, its been side stepped by Microsoft changing the way Win 10 activates now and since build 1607, you can now move an OEM copy just as easily as retail. The only advantage I can see for retail now is long term, you may be able to swap more parts before it will tell you to buy a new licence.

Refer here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change