Hello,
I am looking into buying Windows 7 and am wondering about differences between Windows 7 professional and OEM version. What would be some of the major differences? When I looked at the description on Newegg it says OEM can't be transferred to another computer once it's installed!
Thanks
Retail version is not locked to a computer, OEM is locked to a computer it can only be installed onto the original computer it was first installed to. Retail lets you upgrade to a new computer and move the OS to it. (Move as in the old computer cannot use that copy of Windows any more.)
Oh, and OEM gets no support from Microsoft AT ALL. So don't even think about calling them unless you want to pay for it.
I certainly don't need support.
Is it known how it is "locked" to the computer? If it uses the serial number of say the hard drive, what if the unit goes bad?
It's locked to the motherboard.
If you change motherboards with an OEM license, you typically need a new license---although Microsoft is said on occasion to give you some leeway if you call them personally and tell your story. After all, motherboards do fail.
But generally if you upgrade parts, you should go with a retail license.
There are no differences, other then what is mentioned above.
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