Windows 7: System Builder version of Windows 7

I bought the full retail verion so i can upgrade my cpu and mother board without having to buy a new oem copy of windows 7

Thanks a lot and enjoy living in The Blessing! I saw your website. just got back from SWBC in Ft Worth - Kenneth Copeland.

I wanted so bad to go, good for you; keep looking up!

So if you build systems for multiple people, would this one copy do or would you have to have a copy for each system you build?

Welcome to the windows 7 forum.

YES, you will need a separate copy for each computer that you build. The OEM versions of Windows 7 are single use and only on the original build motherboard.

So the answer is yes, you need a separate license for each computer.

Rich

Thanks for the fast reply

I never understand what is meant by this question. As in, are you expecting it to be missing some features or run slower? Windows 7 is Windows 7 is Windows 7. All that matters is the license, which determines how Windows 7 may be used.

The fact you bought it from eBay makes me very weary. I'd be willing to bet, it was used before, and you will have to jump through some hoops to get it activated through Microsoft. OEM software is usually not allowed to be sold on eBay. I've tried a few times in the past to sell Office OEM that were still sealed, and have been given warnings from eBay...including having my auctions taken down.

If it was me, I'd cancel the transaction, and go buy the license from a legitmate source. My local MicroCenter sells them.

I saved this post from another thread which spells out OEM requirements:

FWIW: I am not sure that Microsoft is not playing fair by allowing Microcenter to advertise OEM sofware in their retail stores.
Quoted from microcenters web site:
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Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings. Windows 7 Ultimate is the most versatile and powerful edition of Windows 7. It combines remarkable ease-of-use with the entertainment features of Home Premium and the business capabilities of Professional, including the ability to run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode. For added security, you can encrypt your data with BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. And for extra flexibility, you can work in any of 35 languages. Get it all with Windows 7 Ultimate.
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If it is only for System Builder Licensee's then why is it being sold in their retail stores. Most OEM or System Builders buy them in 5 or 25 packs and get a much cheaper price than Microcenter???

I think microsoft is playing games with the consumer in regards to how they provide OEM software to retail stores.

Just my opinion.

rich

Newegg does the same, and those are two of the biggest retailers in the U.S. I'm not disagreeing, but both are partners with Microsoft, so I doubt they'd be doing something illegitmate. I saw a blurb somewhere recently that Microsoft relaxed their licensing restrictions on the system builder's, knowing that the owners wouldn't be needing any support for them. For me, when I build a computer for family and friends, I'm the support.