What's the difference between various Windows disks?

[kelliann]

Can someone explain the difference between Windows retail version (to install on a new HDD), an OEM version (would it install on a new HDD in a new computer), a recovery disk, a repair disk? I think I covered them all.

I'm trying to find a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit disk to put on a new hard drive in a new HP Elite desktop. I know there is a risk that it would be a pirated copy and I hope I am lucky enough to avoid that happening. I really want a brand new disk. Kicking myself for not buying my own disk even though my previous computer, an HP Pavilion laptop, came with Windows 7 Home Premium installed.

Thank you.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Kellian,
there is in reality only 1 "disk".
just different versions
basic,starter,home,home Premium, Pro,Ultimate and Enterprise, just that some have more features than others
They can ALL be installed on any HDD/SSD.

The 3 major types are OEM, System Builder and Retail,
Re-installation discs are supplied by the OEM's, Dell etc.

For what you want it will have to be either System Builder or Retail,
it will be a "brand" new disc, that comes with an activation (product) key ON the packaging.
(NO packaging = counterfiet)

Your side of the pond, and because W7 has passed its sell-by date, i think you'll only be able to get PRO.
Some of your compatriots will be able to give you the details of a reputable retailer.


Roy

 

[kelliann]

Thank you, Roy. I realized after I'd submitted my question that I'd left out "upgrade" disks. My desktop came (at my request) with no OS installed. It only has what HP calls "FreeDOS" on it so that I can install my own operating system. I don't know what an upgrade disk is and whether I can use one to install Windows 7 on my new HDD in the new HP desktop. Eventually I'll switch to Windows 10 but not now.

Thank you for the advice about the packaging! I see disks offered that are in a paper sleeve but not in the green cardboard that the sleeve is supposed to be in. Does it have to be in a box to be the right version or can it be in the green cardboard "envelope" for lack of a better word

Also, about 12 years ago I had an xp laptop (also an HP) and when the HDD crashed I was able to install Windows XP again from a disk Microsoft had sent me that had service pack I or II (forget which) on it. So then I realized that any disk that said it had a service pack on it meant that it also had a full copy of Windows on it. I guess this is still true?

 

[Mellon Head]

Kelliann,

Assuming that you are in the states, this would be what you are looking for:

Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit-Newegg.com

It's the Windows 7 Pro OEM version, It comes in a paper sleeve, but it's legit (meaning guaranteed valid license) and will install onto any hard disk. It also includes Service Pack 1. The only hitch with this version is that it is locked to the computer that it is installed on. It's not a problem unless you try to move the license to another computer. That's not allowed. Unfortunately, OEM versions are pretty much all that are available anymore.

 

[kelliann]

I discovered I actually have a Windows 7 Pro upgrade disk left from when I upgraded another laptop from Vista to Windows 7 Pro. Vista was OEM, installed by HP before I got the old laptop. Would I be able to use that disk on the new desktop HP that has no operating system on it? Or any Windows 7 upgrade disk that I buy somewhere?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Kelliann,

Upgrade disc won't work.
It only adds certain files to the existing (Vista) system.

Roy

 

[Bertison]

Hi Kellieann

Expensive, but this is Amazon: Amazon.com: Operating Systems - Microsoft Windows 7: Software

They know what they have, and how much some of us still want it. I would not be surprised if Amazon had not bought up lots of Win7 stock when 8 and 10 first came out.

 

[alphanumeric]

All disks have all versions by the way. The 32 bit disk can install Starter to Ultimate and the 64 bit disk everything except Starter. The ei.cfg file sets what is installed. Remove it and you will get a menu that lets you pick which version you want to install. Edit it with the correct values and it will install another version.
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Retail DVD's will accept Retail and OEM keys. My MSDN ISO's will and to the best of my knowledge they are identical to Retail DVD's.

Some factory OEM DVD's will be customized to do the factory OEM-SLP activation. Those DVD's will have an $OEM$ folder in the sources folder. Remove that folder and they revert to being just the same as a Retail DVD.

Have a look at this, Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version maybe you can use your upgrade disk?

 

[alphanumeric]

Recovery disks or disk sets offered by the OEM, more often than not just restore an image of the factory install. It erases everything and puts your PC back to the OOBE. Out Of the Box Experience. Just like it was the first time you turned it on.

 

[cornemuse]

Are there any versions which only need the product key on the package? That is to say not having to (online or phone) activate after installation. (Like XP corporate versions)

-c-

 

[alphanumeric]

Factory OEM-SLP installs don't activate online, they activate via the SLIC table in the BIOS. That only works though, if you have an OEM PC with the factory SLIC table and the matching custom factory OEM install media. Dell, Acer etc install media obtained from them for that specific PC model.
If you clean install with stock media using the OEM-COA key, the key on the COA sticker on an OEM PC, you have to do a phone activation the first time you use the key on the Sticker. After that I do believe it will just activate online. I'm talking PC's with Dell, Acer etc OEM COA stickers.
Retail and OEM System Builder editions activate online.
Enterprise editions also require activation, its just done via KMS, or MAK. I have on occasion run Windows 10 Enterprise, I had to activate online with my MSDN MAK key. In a Corporate setup they would activate via the companies in house KMS server.

 

[cornemuse]

Actually, I have an XP Pro 32 bit disk and a () 64 bit disk. I have never had to activate either one, ever, on-line or phone. Had to 'check to see if XP was valid' (<-or some such), when u/g'ing media player to 11(?)

 

[alphanumeric]

Actually, I have an XP Pro 32 bit disk and a () 64 bit disk. I have never had to activate either one, ever, on-line or phone. Had to 'check to see if XP was valid' (<-or some such), when u/g'ing media player to 11(?)

Unless its custom OEM install media being used on the PC it was made for, its almost certainly illegally modified to cheat activation.

 

[cornemuse]

Unless its custom OEM install media being used on the PC it was made for, its almost certainly illegally modified to cheat activation.

That would be a trick!!! Modifying a 'factory pressed' 'genuine MicroSoft XP Pro SP-2 disk' CD. How'd they do that?? Black Magic? (well, maybe blue magic)

 

[alphanumeric]

That would be a trick!!! Modifying a 'factory pressed' 'genuine MicroSoft XP Pro SP-2 disk' CD. How'd they do that?? Black Magic? (well, maybe blue magic)

To the best of my knowledge there is no official version of Windows XP that does not require activation. All Retail versions of XP require a product key to install and activate it.

 

[RoWin7]

I was at my local MicroCenter a few weeks ago, and priced a 7 disk at $149. They have 27 stores and also sell online. I was going to install it into my older computer, but then I won this one at my computer club's monthly raffle. A group in my club builds them for charities and schools, and one each month for the raffle.

Amazon's prices are absurd. In most things, they UNDERSELL everyone else.

Cornemuse--
If, in theory, you wanted a new Win XP disk, it would be SP3, not SP2. However, Win 7 will forever have just SP1.

 

[Barman58]

The price of a legitimate legal copy of Windows 7 is getting to the stage where it is worth what ever someone is willing to pay for it - This is normal for no longer produced items of all sorts.

For Example You can easily purchase a New Car for a fraction of the cost of a vintage car, and even when the new product may be better than the old, there are people who, for what ever ever reason, are prepared to pay a lot more than the product originally sold for, this is just supply and demand.

The sellers of these items are well aware of these facts and so will raise prices to meet what they think people are prepared to pay.

With the fact that probably 90%+ of all Windows 7 copies currently for sale, are either counterfeit or otherwise illegally obtained, the price of the actual legitimate copies are rising even higher. The prices on amazon are always a minefield for whatever you are looking at - I recently was looking at classic books and whilst the, (often not currently available), New copies were priced at £30.00. In stock items with the market place sellers, (mostly old stock or Used) varied from £0.01 + £3.50 Shipping to £250 + Shipping.

With the fact that a legitimate looking package for Windows 7 easy to make with modern process technology I would suggest that you only consider going to a large well known company that provides a no quibble guarantee to fully refund for items that turn out to be basically stolen goods, ( or maybe your local "Mom & Pop store where a dust covered unsold legitimate copy may remain , to be found covered in dust.

Also from what I've discovered even the large suppliers only have low stock numbers available, so if you are considering a purchase you should do so sooner rather than later as the price will not come down, but increase further in future