OEM or Retail

[ShaneCurtis]

Hey Guys,

Need some clarification. I'm trying to do a downgrade on my Asus laptop from Win 8 to Win 7. Will a store bought OEM version work or not. I need a CD and key that doesn't care what kind of machine it's being installed on. The last version of Windows I bought in store was XP. If someone could please clairify which version of the product I need to accomplish what I'm trying to do I would appreciate it.

 

[VistaKing]

ShaneCurtis

I'd recommend a retail copy of Windows 7 . If you're in United States I'd recommend taking a look on newegg.com or tigerdirect.com

:ar: OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

:ar: OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

 

[ShaneCurtis]

So what you're saying is OEM would work on my laptop and only my laptop and it would only work for a clean install, is this correct? I'm looking for the cheapest way to accomplish this. OEM Win 7 Home Prem is about $100. Retail for the same is about $199.00. I've already spent almost $600.00 on my laptop. I thought this was gonna be alot easier than it turned out to be I've got several Win 7 ISOs and I thought I would be able to use my Anytime Upgrade Keys, but Noooo. ISOs appear to be vendor specific and you can't use the Anytime Upgrade Keys to do clean installs. So an OEM or Retail install is my only option. Any other thoughts you have would be appreciated.

 

[King Arthur]

So what you're saying is OEM would work on my laptop and only my laptop and it would only work for a clean install, is this correct?

You also do not receive support from Microsoft in the event you have any problems with that OEM copy of Windows 7, but besides that you are correct. If those restrictions do not bother or inconvenience you in any way you will have no issues purchasing an OEM copy and installing that on your laptop.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
remember with an OEM copy you won't be able to move it to another computer if you replace your machine. A RETAIL copy can be moved to another computer (phone activation).

I thought actually an Anytime upgrade to say PRO or ULTIMATE would actually work from an OEM copy-- after all a W7 upgrade version allowed an OEM XP installation to count as a "Qualifying product".

Whether you need to do a complete install or perform an upgrade I don't know but I'm sure the Anytime upgrade converts the OEM copy into a full retail version.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[King Arthur]

I can confirm that Windows Anytime Upgrade changes an OEM copy of Windows to retail once the upgrade is completed. My laptop came with an OEM copy of Windows 7 Home Premium and it now runs a retail copy of Windows 7 Professional after going through Windows Anytime Upgrade.

I am uncertain if the OEM copy explicitly requires prior activation to perform Windows Anytime Upgrade though. I did it on my laptop after I had activated Windows using the COA sticker on the laptop so I have no point of comparison available.

 

[AddRAM]

You shouldn`t have to buy anything. I`m shocked no one posted this.

Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

 

[ShaneCurtis]

@AddRam Thanks for pointing at this post and while it is very helpful and well done it does NOT solve my problem. I already have Win 7 installed. My issue is activation. @Jimbo and King Arthur. The Anytime upgrades do work but do not solve the activation issue. Guess it's time to decide if all this is really worth it.

 

[bobkn]

A word of warning: the Windows 7 System Builder license is intended for use only on a system for resale. The license agreement does not permit it to be used on a personal system.

http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/public/worldwide/licensing/opccomm_retail_and_coem.pdf

This isn't much of a warning, as there appears to be no enforcement of it by Microsoft.

The physical issue that I can think of (other than the UEFI stuff) is whether Windows 7 drivers are available for the laptop. The major concern would be graphics drives, as laptop makers sometimes use custom device IDs for their graphics controller, which causes a problem with drivers downloaded directly from the graphics controller manufacturer (Intel, AMD, NVidia).

 

[ShaneCurtis]

Thanks for the info. Win 7 drivers are available for my laptop. I already have Win 7 installed and it seems to be working fine. My issue is activation. Windows update seems to also have most of the drivers I need. I have to install the LAN driver first then Windows Update finds and installs almost everything else

 

[x BlueRobot]

Retail key is more expensive, however, you can use the DVD again on another computer to clean install Windows 7. With a OEM (System Builder to be more precise) once the key has been activated and installed the computer, then the key is tied with that motherboard and the DVD can't be used again on a different computer.

 

[AddRAM]

@AddRam Thanks for pointing at this post and while it is very helpful and well done it does NOT solve my problem. I already have Win 7 installed.

Well, that`s not what you said in your post.

 

[ShaneCurtis]

I understand that and it would not be an issue I already have Win 7 on my desktop and this copy would be used solely for the laptop downgrade

 

[AddRAM]

What are you trying to downgrade ? A laptop ? Give me a clue :sarc:

Like I said if you`re downgrading a laptop with W8 you don`t have to buy anything.

Why are you even bringing up a desktop ?

 

[ShaneCurtis]

@AddRam, yes it is exactly what I said. My post had NOTHING to do with installing Windows 7. I asked for clarification on the differences between OEM and Retail. I further stated that my issue was problems activating windows and problems using Anytime Upgrade keys. Nowhere in my post did I ask how to downgrade. Try actually reading the post next time instead of jumping right in thinking that you got the answer nobody else thought of.

 

[gregrocker]

Unfortunately MS hasn't seen the light to allow unsatisfied buyers of Win8 to downgrade for free unless they own Professional version. So you'll have to buy a key. I would buy retail so it can migrate perpetuallly, and Upgrade since you qualify and get the same price break as for restrictive OEM.

You're entitled to use Win7 Upgrade version since you say you bought a retail copy of XP at one point, which qualifies to use Win7 Upgrade version - even if the qualifying OS isn't installed first.

So to activate insert a Home Premium Upgrade key at the activation link at Computer>Properties.

If it errors wrong version due to Upgrade, do the quick registry edit in Option Three in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version, but it should allow Upgrade version key if there was an OS seen by the installer on the HD when you booted to install Win7. The workaround is normally only needed on a wiped or new HD.

 

[AddRAM]

Hey Guys,

Need some clarification. I'm trying to do a downgrade on my Asus laptop from Win 8 to Win 7. Will a store bought OEM version work or not. I need a CD and key that doesn't care what kind of machine it's being installed on. The last version of Windows I bought in store was XP. If someone could please clairify which version of the product I need to accomplish what I'm trying to do I would appreciate it.

OK then you reread your post and tell me what it says in the 2nd sentence.

I gave you the tutorial so you wouldn`t have to buy anything, but you do what you want.

 

[ShaneCurtis]

@Greg I am having a bit of trouble understanding your post. Are you saying that because I own a legit copy of Win XP that I should be able to use an Anytime Upgrade Key to install Windows 7? I have working Anytime Upgrade keys for Win 7 Pro and Ultimate. Have tried using them to activate before and it doesn't work. I'm confused... Sorry to be a pain, please clarify.

 

[VistaKing]

ShaneCurtis

I believe Gregrocker means you could purchase a Windows 7 Upgrade retail box not a full version edition cause you have XP .

How do you have keys but no discs ?

 

[ShaneCurtis]

I have discs too keys are not working.