Windows 7 OEM

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sonicbests777

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Oct 10, 2015
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Hello,

I want to know, can I buy the Windows 7 OEM and install it for my computer for my personal use?
Also, what re the differences between OEM and retail versions of windows 7?
 
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Hi soincbests,

Yes, you most certainly can install an OEM license for you personal use.

The difference is that an OEM license is paired with your motherboard and can only be installed on one particular machine (ever).

A retail version of Windows can be re-installed on a different machine later if you change out your hardware or get a new machine entirely. It has a bit of a longer shelf-life so to speak.
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Hi soincbests,

Yes, you most certainly can install an OEM license for you personal use.

The difference is that an OEM license is paired with your motherboard and can only be installed on one particular machine (ever).

A retail version of Windows can be re-installed on a different machine later if you change out your hardware or get a new machine entirely. It has a bit of a longer shelf-life so to speak.
 
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Solution


An I can install the OEM on a new hard drive as long as I don't change the motherboard? Also what happens if I change the cpu and Ii still re install it if my hard drive fails

 
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Technically yes, you could re-install the OEM version if you were just changing out either your disk drive or upgrading CPU.

The only time your OEM key will be flagged by Windows is when you change out the motherboard (of if you try to install it on more than one machine at the same time, which you should never do).
 
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What do you mean by Technically?
 
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Technically. 😀

I bought an OEM W7 Home Premium from Amazon that says will install on a new machine, I did that, worked fine, then I realize I wanted it the Pro version instead, so I UN-register it, re-install it on a completely different box, auto registration complained, poped up box saying call This Number, I did. Went through a lengthly automated registration procedure, asked me how many machines, I said ONE. BAM! went on 2nd box no prob.

As usual, my lawyer tells me to say YMMV.
 
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When we're talking about how OEMs are locked to the motherboard are we really talking about the license key and not the actual disc?

I did a fresh install on my Mom's Dell computer about a week ago with my OEM disc and her key. Haven't had any problems.
 
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So let's say my WD Black hard drive fails or Windows 7 gets a virus and I want to reinstall windows 7 with buying another key for £75 and so I get a another hard drive and reinstall windows 7 with the same key, will it work?
 
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That looks like the retail version, yes. At the top you can see that it says "Platform : Not Machine Specific"

You can install this again even if you exchange your motherboard, yes. This isn't a volume license though, so you can only install and run it on one computer at any given time.
 
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Thanks for answering. I like the retail version better than the OEM because you can change the mobo.

 
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