"OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:"
No.
First of all, I like the added touch of the official Windows logo in the response, however, I would like to point out that your answer is superficial at best.
The MAIN difference (...ignoring the legal garbage posted, as our current legal system is based upon a predatory ethical foundation...let the buyer beware...) is best illustrated by what happens when things go wrong.
For instance, your copy of windows and its integrity cannot be assured. Hidden Partitions WITHOUT the benefit of hardware based security (as with Lenovo systems) are inherently insecure. Acer will tell you to create "Factory Restore Disks" as soon as you boot your computer for the first time, and most rational consumers assume that this will act as their 'copy' of Windows...
Unfortunately, you will quickly learn that these "Factory Restore Disks" do not operate the same way as "System Restore Disks" which you would be able to create had Acer given you a geniune Windows copy instead of the garbage copy placed in the "hidden" PQ_SERVICE partition. Should you need the ability to create such a disk, Acer will gladly offer you the ability to purchase them for a fee.
I will give Acer the benefit of the doubt and attribute this to primarily incompetence in large corporate environments, rather than an intentional way to extract more money from desperate consumers.
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Now with that said. You should have a sticker on your computer
Windows does not disclose the conditions under which a Geniune copy is slated to be checked by the Software Gestapo, but such things as:
- Stopping Idiotic DAILY Checks of Windows Geniune Certification with a firewall
- Upgrading your system to contain a more secure operating system
- Modifying the System Reserved Partition or Boot block
- Upgrading/Flashing your systems BIOS
- etc...
All of these things can trigger a Security Check by the Microsoft Police, which will require you to find your serial number. You should have a sticker on your computer or a manual with a sticker on it.
I personally have not had a problem having to re-certify my copy, however I do resent the need to do this, and had the numbers on my own sticker been a little more worn out then I would have been very mad, as I would not have been able to...
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to post this info for posterity...