Win7 OEM vs Retail

I have read this 2009 thread by "DataMan47" ... but I am none the wiser 6 years later

My understanding is that ...

1. OEM can only be used on one machine while the motherboard is unchanged
   The OS can be reinstalled but only on the same machine.
   OEM cannot be installed onto a new/different machine (or the old machine with a new motherboard)
2. Retail (ie, perpetual) and can be installed on any one machine at a time
   - ie if the original machine dies and the OS is no longer accessible/usable the retail OS can be installed onto a new machine
   - multiple machine installs is not allowed

From "DataMan47" explanation it looks like their are two versions of OEM

• the Dell/HP/Toshiba pre-installed OEM
• OEM installed on a non TRM machine ?

As a Win7 fan-boy I have located both Retail and OEM versions of Win7 PRO
- the prices are $200 and <$100
The suppliers of the (I assumed OEM) replied to my email asking if their product was OEM
- their advertisement didn't say OEM or retail and their "description" was full of contradictions
- "one-size-fits-all"

This is reply I received from the distributor



... and extracted from the sellers web-page ...
(they have made 7,600 sales since Sept 2010 -- reputation = 99.8%)

What you're looking at is an authentic windows license package. product key is never used, and will 100% activate without a problem.
This is not just an upgrade, this is full installation.

Each purchase includes

original CoA license
product key
installation dvd for 32bit professional

You will get everything on this picture, including the product key on the back of the DVD sleeve. Key would only activate on Professional with service pack 1 installed. If your current system is not professional with service pack 1, simply reinstall your system with the DVD we provide.
Makesure you backup all your important files before you do the installation as it will wipe out your system.

For older computer, please download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to makesure your computer is ready for Windows 7.
Just type in Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on google and you will find it on the first none-advertiser link.
You will be eligible for free upgrade to windows 10 with this license.

To be in compliance with Microsoft licensing, recovery media, OEM media and MAR media containing Microsoft software must be redistributed as part of a complete package that contains the media, the original computer hardware with which to software was distributed and the corresponding COA label. We sell this item bundled with the original system Motherboard-Untested.

I already have a 3xpack of Win7 Home Premium OEM including "OEM Preinstalltion Kit" (disc) AND COA stickers
- and I presume that limits me to each original PC forever
- but I would prefer to have Win7 PRO that I can use on replacement PCs over the coming years.
- at 2 months off 70 I want to stay with Win7 to minimize MS using my PCs as servers for their own purposes and I don't want to start an OS learning process all over again.
- there is more life behind me than in front

I would appreciate some expert clarification of OEM types ... if that makes sense.

Thank you :)

An oem version of home premium on new egg sells for $99, Pro $139

If you were lucky enough to find new Retail copies of those, they would be twice that much or even way more, depending on the seller. (Good Luck with that)

A retail copy can be used on any PC and activated as long as it`s only on 1 PC at a time.

Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows - Newegg.com

An oem version that you buy is yours, if you have to install a new board, you can always make a robo call and enter the numbers on the activation screen, if that fails call MS to explain the situation and if you`re nice, they usually are too. :)

From post #1

My understanding is that ...

1. OEM can only be used on one machine while the motherboard is unchanged
   The OS can be reinstalled but only on the same machine.
   OEM cannot be installed onto a new/different machine (or the old machine with a new motherboard)
2. Retail (ie, perpetual) and can be installed on any one machine at a time
   - ie if the original machine dies and the OS is no longer accessible/usable the retail OS can be installed onto a new machine
   - multiple machine installs is not allowed

That is my understanding. With one exception in my opinion.
If one calls Microsoft and they allow a change from the rules.

I will explain.
A few years ago I had a motherboard RMA but the I.D. had changed therefore would not activate on my OEM/COA key.

One phone call to Microsoft and in about 3 minutes talking to a real person the activation problem was solved and it's been working properly for years.

Other than that we are thinking the same on this matter.

You would be very lucky if you can find a legal Retail Windows 7 Pro.
They are like hens teeth to find. Because of that you are even less likely to find a sale on a legal one.

Of course this is just my opinion.

*Hi Brian. I was typing while you were posting.

@ AddRAM :)
Thank you for your input.
The more I read the OEM "sellers" blurbs I suspect they will say anything for a sale. The supplier is in USA, by the time I add p&h us$30 delivery to OZ I am better than half way to a local genuine new PRO.

I will stick with the genuine Pro retail I have found, a few extra dollars ... at least it will be slightly easier to stop MS messing with my brain and trying to install Win29 in 2045, on my sacred Win7.

In the wings is Linux Mint on an old Acer laptop, not an easy transition from Windows ... yet!
- and there are some things MS do very well ... Excel especially the macro programming ... VBA (and XML?)
- Libre does not even get near it
I am still writing VBA addins for Excel

Thanks again :)

@ Layback Bear :)

Other than that we are thinking the same on this matter.

You would be very lucky if you can find a legal Retail Windows 7 Pro.
They are like hens teeth to find. Because of that you are even less likely to find a sale on a legal one.

Of course this is just my opinion.

We are on the same page
- there are a few second hand retails floating around the net.
- One last bid was $130 for second hand -- I am not that trusting

I am buying two new retail PROs... second is for she-who-must-be obeyed.
- genuine retail right here in OZ from a very reputable enterprise supplier

I will let you know how I get on

bawldiggle said:

In the wings is Linux Mint on an old Acer laptop, not an easy transition from Windows ... yet!
- and there are some things MS do very well ... Excel especially the macro programming ... VBA (and XML?)
- Libre does not even get near it
I am still writing VBA addins for Excel

Bawldiggle:

Do you have any insight into Libre Office (as found on Linux Mint)?

Specifically:

I have an important Excel file containing personal financial data. About 100 tabs, about 5 MB in size.

Not overly complicated, but it does have some colored cells via conditional formatting, a few simple charts, formulas that reference various of the 100 tabs, and a couple of 15 line VBA macros that grab stock market data.

Is this file likely to open and operate properly in Mint using Libre or should I just plan on running a Windows virtual machine inside Mint and open it with Office?

Good Luck with that (cough hack) genuine Pro Retail, let us know how that turns out.

Make sure you get full refunds in writing up front, should the key not work, we`ve heard many stories of buyers getting ripped off here.

ignatzatsonic said:

bawldiggle said:

In the wings is Linux Mint on an old Acer laptop, not an easy transition from Windows ... yet!
- and there are some things MS do very well ... Excel especially the macro programming ... VBA (and XML?)
- Libre does not even get near it
I am still writing VBA addins for Excel

Bawldiggle:

Do you have any insight into Libre Office (as found on Linux Mint)?

Specifically:

I have an important Excel file containing personal financial data. About 100 tabs, about 5 MB in size.

Not overly complicated, but it does have some colored cells via conditional formatting, a few simple charts, formulas that reference various of the 100 tabs, and a couple of 15 line VBA macros that grab stock market data.

Is this file likely to open and operate properly in Mint using Libre or should I just plan on running a Windows virtual machine inside Mint and open it with Office?

I haven't used Libre much at all,
But the only thing you might need to do is download M$ fonts which are not installed in Libre
If I remember correctly you just open the software manager and type in the search Microsoft and the fonts listing will appear and download them.