windows oem vs retail

[cyruseternity]

Hi guys i am soon going to build a gaming rig mainly for offline gaming as i dont have an internet connection. Now my question is weather should i go with windows 8.1 oem or the retail one. What is the difference between the two?

 

[mrb 59]

OEM software can't be moved to a new computer if your currant computer should crash. Retail version can be. Either one can be on only 1 computer at a time.

 

[oddaaron00]

Windows OEM is locked to your system, meaning that if you get a new hard drive etc and need windows on that, you'll need to buy Windows again. Retail isn't locked to your system and that's why the OEM version of Windows is less expensive.

Three main differences:
1) OEM copies come in either 32 or 64 bit whereas retail copies come with both 32 and 64 bit copies,
2) OEM copies cannot be transferred from one PC to another,
3) OEM copies do not come with any support from Windows.

I hope this helped.

 

[cyruseternity]

I wont be buying a new hard drive or infact a new pc anytime soon, so should i go with the oem version?

 

[barto]

Mmm, I'm pretty sure OEM is tied to the motherboard not the hard drive. So you can re-install the OS any time when used with the same motherboard. Retail versions can be moved to another computer and depending on version is supplied with 3 keys. I don't see a reason to buy OEM.

 

[spdragoo]

Make sure you're looking at the correct definition of "OEM".

For example, when I built my PC, I bought the "OEM" disc from Micro Center...however, it was not tied into the motherboard (as I was not buying a prebuilt model), so it was actually a "retail" copy of Windows.

The real difference between OEM & retail is:
-- OEM comes preinstalled on your prebuilt PC (Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.);
-- If it actually comes on a physical disc, the disc is usually labeled "Recovery Disc", & can basically be used to wipe your hard drive clean & install Windows from scratch (that was my Windows XP disc from my old eMachines PC)'
-- If it doesn't come with a physical disc, there's usually a "Recovery Partition" on your hard drive, which is used just like a Recovery Disc (i.e. in emergencies you can wipe it clean & start from scratch)...or, if you're not so lucky, it prompts you to create "backup" discs (essentially homemade recovery discs), like my mother-in-law's older HP laptop.

In all 3 cases, the OEM copy is literally tied to your machine, as it only comes with the hardware drivers for the hardware your PC came with. Upgrading or replacing some of the hardware is possible -- GPU, CPU, RAM, additional hard drives, etc. -- but replacing the motherboard or primary hard drive is where you need to buy the new version...usually because you don't have the right drivers (new motherboard) or because you no longer have the Recovery partition (new hard drive).

Retail copies, OTOH, whether labeled "retail" or "OEM", are usually on physical media (DVD or USB) -- although a digital download from Microsoft is possible (usually so that you can create a physical media, though). Although still limited to "one license, one PC", they come with the full drivers from Microsoft, so you can always transfer the license to a new PC as needed (provided the old PC is no longer in use).

So... to your original question...whether the vendor calls it "OEM" or "retail", make sure it's the one that you can buy as a stand-alone. Don't get the "this disc comes free with Motherboard X" one.

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 8 o.e.m. Some confusions. The pack known as 'system Builder' is often reffered to as 'O.E.M.'.
It can be moved on to another motherboard. Practically ANY windows 8 install you put on yourself from a disk or download can be moved on to another pc.

That was the case with Windows 8. They changed the licensing with 8.1. OEM is again, just like Win 7. One motherboard.
Having said that, they are pretty lenient. But they are under no obligation to do so.

Read the specific licensing here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

 

[kyllien]

Since you indicate that you are offline you won't be able to get the free Windows 10 upgrade. As such I would recommend you wait a couple weeks and buy the Window 10 Retail or OEM addition; the same rules apply at USAFRet indicated.