Windows 7: Is Microsoft changing policy on System Builder licensing for Windows 8

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Is Microsoft changing its policy on System Builder licensing for Windows 8? | ZDNet



I found this in the ZDnet news and if I read it correctly then it means I cannot build a machine and use it myself using an OEM Windows - is this right? If so then I guess there will be a lot of illegal machines out there.

It's been like that for a while, other than stopping NewEgg and TigerDirect from selling OEM copies, there isn't much they can do about it. You can't call Microsoft for tech support with OEM versions anyway. It may violate the EULA but they activate and pass WGA. I dare say a some people may contemplate pirating the OS instead of paying almost double the price for a Retail Version. I don't think its hurting them that bad that they want to go out of their way to stop it and piss a lot of people off. All my PC's are running bought online OEM versions, I am my tech support.

Yeah I agree alpha I am my tech support - well if you don't count on all the friendly folk in here.

In fact I have never had to contact their tech support apart from a full version Office program I bought ages ago and have had to reinstall because of drive failures.

Frankly I just hate greed whatever form it takes and if you think about it if all Windows OS's were sold at OEM prices or say 30% more rather than have a progressively less affordable system they would still rule the world in fact if that were the case they would have the market. I call it shooting oneself in one's foot really.

Of course it would still have to be more for more ie Starter - Ultimate but it ain't going to happen eh?

Errm.. what i understand from reading the article that Ed Bott's written up is that MS may be actually changing it's EULAs to officially allow hobbyists and enthusiasts to use the OEM system builder's pack for Windows 8 when it heads to RTM.

This following paragraph is what made me understood it that way:-

Sanctioned in this case meaning authoritative permission or approval...

Hiyya solar yeah I know but I am more reading between the lines in general and well I have had a bit of a go at 8 when it was up for trial and to be honest I won't be going there anytime just yet well not until 7 dies at least and if what I read is right I'll be long gone

Given that retail copies of Windows allow transfer of the license between computers, contrary to the OEM license, that increased price is worth the cost to some people. I know I went for the retail version of Windows 7 precisely because of the OEM limitations in this regard.

I'd have done the same for my other Windows XP computer as well but all that were available at the time were OEM copies (I got it right before XP sales were "officially" closed) and I've contemplated ever since what to do if the mobo in that thing were to die (and undoubtedly it will, eventually).

Just had a look at that.

I would imagine they didn't want businesses doing it.

Makes sense to change it:

Looking round the net nobody seems to pay any attention to it anyhow. MS are not going to try and enforce it because they seem like some giant corporate bully - I don't think they could enforce that kind of restrictive practice in Europe anyhow.

Seems to me the reason for changing it now is simple:

They want as many as possible to be running win8 - they don't really care how little you paid for it as long as you have it.


Win8 is a very hard sell for them, it is very unpopular among those who have tried it.

The public market might not be so tough - the average user just gets whatever comes on a machine and puts up with it.

To obtain a legal as far as i was aware to obtain an OEM copy you have to buy a piece of hardware but this said you don't actually have to install it this can be anything like a cable for 50p
As far as i can see, a simple work around is to get a an invoice from the Retailer showing that you acted legitimately for the fact that a system build does not have to consist of all new parts
Maybe im wrong however as i see it is perfectly legitimate

If in the case of the quotation regarding internal workshops then you will just need to create an invoice of £0 per build this way you will have passed the computer on to the 3rd party / end user

Edit: i cant help but feel they are scared that 8 will be another failed OS like Vista thus want to maximise profit ready for 9

I think they sell enough Retail copies at Staples and FutureShope that its not that big a deal for them anyway. Its too hard to enforce anyway. Around here, the only way to get an OEM copy is to buy online. Anybody walking into a Retail shop has to buy a Retail copy. I bought OEM because it was a lot cheaper than the Retail Version. And also because I'm a tech enthusiast that builds his own desktops. I can buy 2 OEM versions for the price of 1 Retail and not worry about transferring it to another PC. At one time you actually had to buy a motherboard or other hardware with an OEM version. OnLine retailers wouldn't sell you OEM install media all by itself, siteing the EULA as the reason.

Yeah this what was my impression too as I have refurbished a few machines for myself and others by just adding say a new or "refurbished" (wiped) HDD and say upping the RAM and then selling them on for just the cost of the replacement parts to folks I know that cannot afford a new machine or even at all and the cost to me is negligible and well most of the less fortunate are more than willing to lay out $100 - the cost of an OEM for me.
Surely anyone including Microsoft wouldn't begrudge them that - would they?