Win 7 64bit to OEM or to Retail that tis be the question.

[phelan1777]

So I understand what OEM is and Retail but not quite understanding the full differences.

I realize there is a 100$ difference in price and but kind of foggy on the rest exactly.

So any one that really understands the differences could speak up?

[juampii]

I understand this:

OEM: is for your system. Supposedly if you sell that system, the OS is going with it.

RETAIL: The license is for you. you can install on any system (not simultaneously). You can update your system, or sell it, and use the OS in another new one.

[defect9]

OEM still lets you upgrade/completely change your system. I've heard it might at you about it and require you to contact MS and de-activate the previous system it was on. Never experienced this myself, though.

I think OEM basically is for people who don't need fancy documentation and such, like OEM cpus and stuff like that, and who don't assume that Wal-Mart and Best Buy are the only place to buy stuff like that. Retail is for those people who don't know any better.

[shoota]

oem also implies that tech support is on you. retail provides support from MS

[zanzabar]

oem also implies that tech support is on you. retail provides support from MS

thats the only difference for the XS crowd.

there are restrictions with it like the OEM (IE you if u build it) has to install and support it, you are not allowed to move it to a new different computer, and if u sell the computer u need to sell the OS with it and u cannot sell the OS by itself. u can upgrade and even full replace the computer if u are building the replacement and using it to replace the computer that has a hardware fault (IE to slow or from failure.)

u also cannot use an OEM copy of windows with an upgrade disk (u can upgrade install but u need a new retail copy.)

in summation here is a checklist of if u can use OEM

1) are u upgrading hardware or building new and building it with DIY parts, u cannot have something like a dell MB

2) are u supporting the system

3) are u installing the OS before delivery (if its for your self this dose not matter if its for some1 u cannot build a computer drop it off then when they say what about an OS u cannot go back and give it to them)

[Leopold Butters]

I have a questionn about OEM. I just bought the OEM version of W764 because it was $99. anways, this is the first time I bought the OEM version and havn't opened it yet. Does it install the same way as any other version of windows on a new build? my understanding so far is that it can only be used once, which is all I need it for. Any help would be great.

[zanzabar]

I have a questionn about OEM. I just bought the OEM version of W764 because it was $99. anways, this is the first time I bought the OEM version and havn't opened it yet. Does it install the same way as any other version of windows on a new build? my understanding so far is that it can only be used once, which is all I need it for. Any help would be great.

the disk and OS work identical to the retail, u just have a key that dose not let u install from an upgrade copy later. the rest is terms that u are supposed to abide by but do not affect how it works

[NEOAethyr]

Actualy there is multible types of liceanses for oem just like there is for vlm.

Real oem is where the os is pre-installed and has a slp key embedded into the acpi rom inside your pc's bios.
You have a special key, usually only a handful or so per company.
There's a special file on the disk that determains the oem brand.
The slp key in your bios has to match the cert file and your oem key.
If it does, it's self registering.
You don't need the net to register it or call on it when you upgrade it.

All other ver's you need to register it online or over the phone.
Most vlm ver's of it you need to continuesly reg it every other week or so.

Some special vlm's are oem's as well, volume licease distrobution and no need to reg the machines online or over the phone.
These are the same as the oem but with special vlm files.

Several files differ from one type of licease to the next, quite alot of them.
Each type is like a different beast.
Each with there own diff programs sometimes, and kernels.

Worst to best in offical like:
Oem
Retail
Vlm
Oem+vlm

Worst to best in actuality ->
VLM-(kms)
Retail
Oem
VLM+OEM(special system builder type, only for "big" companies for internal use only type of stuff)


Retail is always the same.
These day's it's reg it and have midgrade compile.

There used to be a vlm+free ver that was the full vlm ver, but with no key needed, this was along time ago.

And before that there was dev ver, which used to be thee premo ver.
None of those needed keys but I don't believe they were a free liceanse either.

Server wise.
Datacenter is on top.
And enterprise server is the 2nd from the top.

There is some specialized ver's, like compute cluster and embedded.
Those might actual be better then datacenter I don't know.

That's pretty much all there is to know about one ver to the next.
Oh, and that each type of liceanse has diff defaults.
Same with editions, different defaults and access level's, etc.

Edit:
Oh and when it's down to win7, retail vs true original ms oem master copy, is little diff from each other.
You can convert one to the other with a single command after installing.
Which is neat.
Useful for those that lose there oem disk and buy a retail disk to replace it.

The win7 ultimate disk is all of the lower ver's as well if you mod the installer to pick the correct install path.
Though I don't know why you'de want to do that...

[95RapidRiot]

Can I use Win 7 Pro OEM on my computer and my kids' computer at home if I build them both?

[daytripper67mi]

Can I use Win 7 Pro OEM on my computer and my kids' computer at home if I build them both?

you would need 2 copies or 2 licenses.

[95RapidRiot]

Therefore I need Retail?

[dctokyo]

Therefore I need Retail?

It does not matter which version, you will still need 2 copies or 2 licenses.

[mezcal]

TechNet is very hard to beat pricewise if you have multiple machines.
The standard subscription is sufficient unless you specifically need access to the server stuff.
There are usually 15-30% coupons floating around if you look.

[95RapidRiot]

Thanks!