Windows 7: Using OEM serial for retail

Hi, would I be able to use my OEM Windows 7 Home Premium serial to do a clean install and use the serial on a retail copy of the same version?

Agentlsk hi and welcome


Retail and OEM use different serial numbers.
No I am sorry but retail and OEM use different serial numbers.Think about it, if they did not why would anyone pay more for full retail.

Jan

So there is no way to get it to work. There is so much extra stuff on here I don't want even after uninstalling. :/

You want to do a clean install on the same machine?

If that oem key is from a purchased boxed oem copy - then yes, you can use a retail 7 install dvd with it.


If it is the key off the side of a lappy from an oem preinstall , it depends.

Worked fine for a friend using a Dell machine. Other manufacturers you may need to ring to get the key off the side to activate.

In any event, you can obviously only use it for the same Edition ( e.g. Premium, Pro, Ult ) that the key is for. The bit version doesn't matter.

It is a preinstalled one. So there is a possibility it would work?

If you are using the key off the side of the laptop, that is your license you paid for.

MS insists you get one.

You are entitled to use that to reinstall clean - that is why it is there.

Unfortunately, some oem's insist on you ringing them to activate after using it.

They can't refuse - that is your license . It is a pain to have to do that.

[ A lot of people can't be bothered with that , so they backup the key and oem cert off the HD , install clean without entering the key, then put the key and cert back on. You need to stop and start services to do it that way, so you have to know what you are doing of course. ]


Might be a good idea to make an image of your current system first - you may want to fish some files/folders out after that you don't think you want just now.

There is a built in windows 7 system image app. , but it has serious limitations.

I would d/l the free macrium - it is vastly better - it is also massively quicker.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

I recommend everybody makes an image of their system regularly - the most important thing you can have is a backup image.

So if I install it using that serial and call to activate it should work?

Thanks everyone for the help. I installed retail Windows 7 and used the serial on my laptop and it activated and worked.

Good - thanks for the update.