Where to buy a non-OEM version of Win7 home premium SP1 64bit?

Twario · 25 Jan 2016

My current build has been good to me over the years, but it's definitely starting to show its age. I feel that it's time not for just an upgrade, but an entirely new system from scratch. New case, new mobo, new RAM, new everything.

This includes a new operating system as well. I definitely don't want to transfer the OS from this build to the new one. The most I'll do is put some files on a USB drive and copy them over to the new one. There's way too much leftover HP stuff and who knows what else from when this build started as a prebuilt PC some 6 years ago.

I don't want windows 8 or 10, I'm perfectly fine with Win 7. It's flawless, and has less compatibility issues with old games (I'm a sucker for old-school gaming).

I've looked around for a boxed of Win7 copy to buy, but all of them say they're 'OEM', which I've heard not good things about. It's also not the same as what I have currently. All I want is a new replacement for the exact one I already have: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. I've found this on amazon but I can't find out if it's OEM or not:
Amazon.com: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit DVD + Genuine Product Key

UPDATE: Thanks to your suggestions, I ended up getting this
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com
I think it was the best way to go. It is a tad overpriced I'll admit, and it is OEM (and what do ya know, I found out my current OS is OEM as well

), but it'll have to do because there doesn't seem to be any other legal/safe options as far as I can see. Personally I'd rather do this than get windows 8/10. I just wanted to get this out of the way so I could focus on the hardware of the build. Thanks again for the advice, guys. Wish me luck!

dannyk90 · 25 Jan 2016

It looks okay but yeah it's not the official box. Not sure why they don't sell them anymore, maybe to get everyone on Windows 10 to use their market ?

Since it was a prebuilt, you should have a sticker on your pc with the windows serial key, you can enter that into Windows website to download the official windows.iso, they also have a usb tool to make it bootable from USB.

Plug in your usb, boot up from usb, install windows. Simple :)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...nload/windows7 Enter your key here.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down...-download-tool USB tool, use a blank USB stick.

AddRAM · 25 Jan 2016

Danny, his oem key WILL NOT work at the Microsoft site. The Microsoft site IS NOT for downloading factory installed software.

He would also need a new key to activate windows on his new build.

There is absolutely no difference between the oem you have installed by HP and an oem you can buy from Newegg or Amazon.

OEM is OEM it`s the same exact operating system without the HP garbage.

You will not find a Retail version of Windows 7 anywhere, and there`s no reason to buy it anyway. (I know, you didn`t mention that) :)

The oem version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit you found is perfectly fine.

Although, I myself, would not buy it from Amazon. (Others can elaborate on buying software from Amazon)

Since you`re building an entirely new system, I would get nothing but Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 from Newegg.

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

Twario · 25 Jan 2016

@dannyk90 Oh, interesting. I might have it written down somewhere. The page you linked says it works with a CD too. So basically if I put it onto a disc, it will act exactly like the disc you would find in a boxed copy of Win7?

@AddRAM
Okay, thanks. I'll do that if I can't find the product key of my current one or if the CD ISO method doesn't work.

dannyk90 · 25 Jan 2016

The sticker is usually on the pc at the back.

AddRAM · 25 Jan 2016

You`ll do what ?

You have to buy windows for a new build, you can not use the key from your old build, it may well work for activation, but it`s not legal.

Windows 7 does not fit on a cd, you need a blank dvd and a dvd burner and software.

We could easily post sites to download Windows 7 Home Premium, but you still need a key to activate windows on your new build.

Windows 7 is the last thing you should be worrying about right now.

Coming up with $2000 to get started on your new rig should be the 1st

Items to consider in importance.

1) Motherboard
2) CPU
3) Graphics Card
4) Memory
5) SSD = Samsung
6) Power Supply Unit
7) CPU Cooler
8) Case, Keyboard, Mouse

1) Monitor

Twario · 25 Jan 2016

AddRAM said:

You`ll do what ?

You have to buy windows for a new build, you can not use the key from your old build, it may well work for activation, but it`s not legal.

Windows 7 does not fit on a cd, you need a blank dvd and a dvd burner and software.

Sorry, should have clarified. I meant I would just buy it if the product key thing from the first reply didn't work. I tried the key and it didn't seem to register, so I guess I'm just going to buy it then. Thanks for linking me to the newegg page, I couldn't find it on there earlier.

As for the parts of the build, I've actually got most of that figured out. It'll probably take more research to get it perfect, but the list I have now seems pretty solid. The new build won't happen until the end of next month anyways though, so I'm still preparing.

AddRAM · 25 Jan 2016

I told you, you can`t use an OEM key at the Microsoft site, you need a Retail or System Builders key to download from that site.

A member will soon come along and post a link for you to download Home Premium from that site, he`s very nice.

I don`t use Home Premium or I would :)

Twario · 25 Jan 2016

Thanks for the help guys. I've decided I'm most likely getting what AddRAM linked to:

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

I just wanted to make sure if it was a good idea to drop cash on it first. I wanted to get it sometime this week specifically, so I can get it before it possibly goes out of stock (it happened with the win7 copy I saw on newegg earlier today when I googled it).

If I buy this, is it going to be a physical CD or just a key? Is this whole "OEM" thing going to cause unforseen problems for me? Because, I just want to add that I'm building the PC mainly for gaming, including the latest ones like Fallout 4 and Witcher 3.

If I end up buying this copy of win7, I'll probably mark this thread as solved and update next month if anything goes wrong with the OS when installing it in new PC.

SIW2 · 25 Jan 2016

The difference between oem and full retail is that you don't get MS support.

There is also mention of it being tied to one machine. That is not legal in the UK or in the EU - software cannot be tied to a specific piece of hardware. I don't know what the situation is in The US.