Upgrade vs OEM

[foreversilent004]

I am already on preorder for an OEM copy of 7 Pro x64, for my laptop. I am going to build a new computer soon and want the same version on that too. Since I am a student, I can take advantage of the Win741 promotion for an upgrade edition

Can I use the OEM disc for both computers, fresh install, and then use their respective keys to activate?

 

[Brink]

Hello foreversilent,

It depends. A OEM can only be installed and activated with the same product key on the original computer that it was first installed on. You will not be able to use that product key number to activate it on any other computer.

If this is a OEM upgrade offer from your laptop manufacturer instead, then it might not be able to be installed on any other computer than your laptop.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[foreversilent004]

Oh man, I forgot about the retail version....

So what is the difference between OEM and upgrade?

 

[Brink]

It would be a OEM Upgrade or OEM Full copy of Windows 7 instead.

 

[foreversilent004]

So the only way to get Windows 7 on any home made computer is to pay retail?

 

[kegobeer]

So the only way to get Windows 7 on any home made computer is to pay retail?

No. You can purchase an OEM copy at a substantially reduced price, but it is tied to that system forever, per the OEM EULA.

 

[foreversilent004]

So the only way to get Windows 7 on any home made computer is to pay retail?

No. You can purchase an OEM copy at a substantially reduced price, but it is tied to that system forever, per the OEM EULA.

Oh well then that's not so bad.

Question still stands:

Say I buy an OEM version and Upgrade version. I just want to use the OEM disc to get around the upgrade, but still use each of they keys I will have.

I have build 7232 on my laptop now, I can't upgrade from this can I?

 

[Brink]

If you buy a OEM upgrade version of Windows 7, then you can use it to upgrade from your currently installed activated Vista. You will have to use the OEM product key number to activate it.

If you buy a OEM full version of Windows 7, then you can do a clean install with it.

 

[foreversilent004]

OK great, thanks

So what's the deal with the retail version?

 

[Brink]

No problem.

A retail version of Windows 7 can be installed and activated with that product key number on any computer as long as it's uninstalled from any previous computer that it was installed on. You can get a upgrade retail Windows 7 or full retail Vista version as well.