Their are no Retail version left of Windows 7 that I'm aware of.
Most of those that build their own systems use 'OEM' because they are cheaper, plus we don't need or want the extra things offered by Microsoft with the Retail version.
It's somewhat confusing because of the word "retail".
Most think that retail is the fashion one uses to purchase Windows 7.
You buy retail or maybe wholesale.
That is not the way Microsoft uses the word "Retail".
In Microsoft's world "Retail is a agreement (EULA) that is different from OEM.
The exact same operating system in every way just a different (EULA) that one pays extra for.
Here is things explained better than I can. Please read the article completely.
Windows License Types Explained
Here is a small part.
- Retail, product keys are what the customer gets when he buys a Full Packaged Product (FPP), commonly known as a "boxed copy", of Windows from a retail merchant or purchases Windows online from the Microsoft Store.
The term "retail" used in licensing has nothing to do with how the user purchases Windows, however, but refers to certain rights granted by retail licenses. A retail license may be transferred to another computer so long as the number of computers licensed does not exceed the licensing limit. In most cases, the limit is one.
What it mounts to according to Microsoft is a "Retail" version has more and special rights that OEM don't. One of the extra rights of "Retail" version is one can move a "Retail" version from computer to another computer as long as the "Retail" Windows 7 is only on one system at a time. Any kind of OEM can only be used on the first computer is was activated on the first time. Unless one gets permission from Microsoft to do otherwise.
The EULA is a basic contract between Microsoft and the purchaser of their product.
Because it is a contract it can be different from jurisdictions. From country to country.
To have complete knowledge of all contracts one would have to be a international contract lawyer.
So a simple and basic way to look at it in my opinion is, if one doesn't like the agreement (EULA) of any product, don't buy it.
Another opinion of mine.
All Microsoft is trying to do is get paid for its products and slow down counterfeiting as much as possible. I do believe that is a reasonable goal for any company.
Here is something that is hard for me to understand.
If Windows 7 isn't worth paying Microsoft for, why are so many trying to steal it?
(Counterfeiting) is stealing.
Jack
:devil:
