What the Heck is Windows 7 OEM 64bit.

Can someone explain to me what this OEM system building stuff is all about. I've just assembled my new computer..

It stands for "original equipment manufacturer".

Most Windows licenses in the hands of home users are "OEM" of one type or another. The alternative is a "retail" license.

"System Builder" Windows licenses are supposedly to be installed on PCs by "system builders" businesses---such as your local mom-and-pop PC shop. The PCs are then sold to individuals. But I'm not sure that the "system builder" thing is strictly enforced as a lot of those licenses end up directly in the hands of individuals, without passing through the hands of a "system builder".

OEM licenses are supposed to be valid only on the original hardware, but there seems to be some fuzziness about that too, at least as regards Microsoft's enforcement of that rule.

Retail licenses can be re-used as much as you want, on different hardware--as long as it's only on one machine at a time.

What type of license do you supposedly have? Where did you get it? Did you get it activated?

Windows 7 OEM 64 bit, bought it at Fry's electronic a huge electronic store, and i have not activated it.

Fry's is generally reliable and it should activate.

You would get into some type of gray area if you have a motherboard failure and are forced to buy a new motherboard. Maybe that will ultimately cause an update/activation problem. Maybe not. You won't know for sure until and unless you change hardware for some reason and attempt to reuse this Fry's license.

Replacing hard drives or processors doesn't seem to be an issue.

If you never have to replace your motherboard and never attempt to install your current license on some totally different PC in the future, you shouldn't have any issues. OEM and Retail licenses don't differ in functionality.

Lets say i want to reinstall windows on the same comp. I will probaly do this every 8-10 months just to keep my comp running fresh and smoothly, can it be reinstalled? Also i don't have a cd rom for my new pc built, i know i could usb to install it. I could download the files on the usb from another computer without activating the windows 7 key right?

Sunkipz said:

Lets say i want to reinstall windows on the same comp. I will probaly do this every 8-10 months just to keep my comp running fresh and smoothly, can it be reinstalled? Also i don't have a cd rom for my new pc built, i know i could usb to install it. I could download the files on the usb from another computer without activating the windows 7 key right?

Yes, you can reinstall on the same computer.

But---I'm not sure it makes sense to do it every 8 or 10 months, unless you just enjoy the exercise. I haven't reinstalled in 4 1/2 years and notice no issues. Suit yourself.

Did you not walk out of Fry's with an installation disc of some type? I thought you said you "assembled" this machine. Exactly how did you install Windows 7?

You say you bought "it" at Fry's. What is "it"? Windows 7 on a disc? A Windows 7 Product Key only? A Windows 7 ISO through a download of some type? A PC with Windows 7 installed already? A PC without Windows?

well i bought all the parts for my new pc, assembled everything, and now the last thing to do is to install windows 7. I just want to ask before i actually open the package which void the seal.

Sunkipz said:

well i bought all the parts for my new pc, assembled everything, and now the last thing to do is to install windows 7. I just want to ask before i actually open the package which void the seal.

Does the package contain a Windows installation disc, supposedly?

You say you don't have a "CD-ROM". You don't need one.

If you have a Windows installation DVD, you need a DVD drive to install with that DVD.

I assume this PC is NOT running now because it has no operating system.

Is all of the above correct?

yes, however i just read Creating Windows 7 install media on flash drive using diskpart or - Microsoft Community

That link might work to get the files on a USB stick.

I think there is a tutorial to do that on this site somewhere.

You might find it simpler to temporarily install a borrowed DVD drive to do the installation directly from your disc.

Most importantly---you are going to need the 25 character "Product Key" to activate your installation. That product key is presumably inside the sealed envelope containing your disc.