Solved Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) System Builder OEM

[palarin]

Hello,

I have an elderly friend, who recently bought an HP Envy Touchsmart that has Windows 8.1 on it. The salesman at Best Buy made it sound great to him at the time but at 94 years old, he is not willing to learn a new operating system. He very much prefers Windows 7.

I've spoken with HP about the pros/cons of installing Windows 7 over top of it and they said that it could be done and they do have all of the drivers that I'll need in order to do so. I ordered Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) from Amazon but when it came in the mail today, it shows "Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) System Builder OEM". I thought this was a Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1-License version but it's not.

I've read conflicting information about a System Builder OEM, so I wanted to get some feedback on this.

1. Can I use it to install Windows 7 OR is it only for those who are building new computer systems?

2. If I can use it, I read that it will be tied to the motherboard indefinitely. However, what if I install this over top of Windows 8.1 and something doesn't go right, will I still be able to recover Windows 8 using the Windows 8 Recovery Disks?

My friend would like to keep the laptop, if I can install Windows 7 on it. Any help would be appreciated!
Marie

 

[AddRAM]

1) Yes/Yes

2) Yes

What exactly did you order from Amazon ?

Retail or OEM ?

There`s no difference between OEM and Retail except support and the price you pay, retail is much more.

You won`t even find a dealer selling Retail Windows 7 today ( very hard to as we have looked, but of course it`s out there )

OEM Home Premium sells for $99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416806

 

[palarin]

I purchased "Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit, System Builder OEM DVD 1 Pack" through Amazon. It shows the following in the description;

This Windows product does not come with Microsoft support and requires a clean install, which is complicated and will not save anything currently on the computer.

Important information about this product:
• OEM software is intended for system builders and small OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) who manufacture computer systems and pre-install OEM system builder software onto those systems. The product does not come with free direct support from Microsoft. Additionally, this single license will not allow for a change to a different model motherboard once installed.


1. It shows that it "requires a clean install, which is complicated". I plan to wipe the hard drive anyway, so shouldn't it be pretty straight forward from there or am I missing something that I should know about? I already have all of the drivers for this model.

2. I want to make sure that I understand the text noted above in blue. So, once the software is installed if the motherboard would ever need to be replaced, I wouldn't be able to install this copy again on that same laptop, correct?

It's been a little confusing because some websites say that you need to use a license version and not an OEM version on a personal computer.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[AddRAM]

99% of every pc ever sold comes with OEM.

If you ever have to replace the motherboard, with the same model, chances are windows will boot no problem.

If it doesn`t activate, you just use the automated phone line activation.

Doing a clean install is not complicated at all, it only takes 15 minutes from start to desktop

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html