[AMG7813]

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

[quackadilly]

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

That is the only difference from what I've seen. But you can install more than once, it's the key that can only be used once. You can install without using the key and "rearm" the installation to get like 3 or 4 months worth out of the un-registered install. Rinse and repeat if you want.


I always buy OEM, it's cheaper and I don't need tech support.

[Rommel]

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Yes it will let you.
You will need to reactivate but that should not be an issue as all things are the same however it identifies itself with the PC.

I have reformatted many times my OEM XP.
7 is the same.

The OEM is to be used only on the first PC its installed on. Dell, Hp, whatever.

If you build your own computers it is only to used with the motherboard it was first installed to work with.

I had a product key situation recently and that is how it was told to me through the microsoft agent.

Rommel

This post has been edited by Rommel: 06 February 2010 - 12:40 PM

[states]

Thank you for the information. I want to confirm.... so when we use OEM, we can only install it on one computer (because it recognize the mainboard) but we can still re-install it in case our computer is having trouble/crash.

On the other hand, Retail (the more expensive one) can be used on one computer (ex: Notebook A) but we can "uninstall" from Notebook A and install the Windows into Notebook B, in the future.

is that correct?

[coastie65]

states, on 20 November 2010 - 06:41 PM, said:

Thank you for the information. I want to confirm.... so when we use OEM, we can only install it on one computer (because it recognize the mainboard) but we can still re-install it in case our computer is having trouble/crash.

On the other hand, Retail (the more expensive one) can be used on one computer (ex: Notebook A) but we can "uninstall" from Notebook A and install the Windows into Notebook B, in the future.

is that correct?

Yep, that is pretty much the long and short of it. This computer is Set up as a Dual boot with Vista ( OEM ) and Windows 7. I was going to change the Motherboard in it to one that was unlocked. I would have needed to do a sysprep ( Wipe the hardware profile ) beforehand on Vista, but Windows 7 would have been no problem as all I would have had to do was reactivate that after installation.

[BGG001]

Rommel, on 06 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Yes it will let you.
You will need to reactivate but that should not be an issue as all things are the same however it identifies itself with the PC.

I have reformatted many times my OEM XP.
7 is the same.

The OEM is to be used only on the first PC its installed on. Dell, Hp, whatever.

If you build your own computers it is only to used with the motherboard it was first installed to work with.

I had a product key situation recently and that is how it was told to me through the microsoft agent.

Rommel

I had always wondered how that worked from all the times I've done clean installs. I assumed that they noticed that they paid attention to MAC addresses and the key and where it's being used.


Makes me wonder how this would work if I bought a new motherboard?

[LiveBrianD]

BGG001, on 29 November 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:

Rommel, on 06 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Yes it will let you.
You will need to reactivate but that should not be an issue as all things are the same however it identifies itself with the PC.

I have reformatted many times my OEM XP.
7 is the same.

The OEM is to be used only on the first PC its installed on. Dell, Hp, whatever.

If you build your own computers it is only to used with the motherboard it was first installed to work with.

I had a product key situation recently and that is how it was told to me through the microsoft agent.

Rommel

I had always wondered how that worked from all the times I've done clean installs. I assumed that they noticed that they paid attention to MAC addresses and the key and where it's being used.


Makes me wonder how this would work if I bought a new motherboard?

A change of motherboard is considered a change of computer - meaning that your OEM product key will no longer activate.

[BGG001]

LiveBrianD, on 29 November 2010 - 07:51 PM, said:

BGG001, on 29 November 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:

Rommel, on 06 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Yes it will let you.
You will need to reactivate but that should not be an issue as all things are the same however it identifies itself with the PC.

I have reformatted many times my OEM XP.
7 is the same.

The OEM is to be used only on the first PC its installed on. Dell, Hp, whatever.

If you build your own computers it is only to used with the motherboard it was first installed to work with.

I had a product key situation recently and that is how it was told to me through the microsoft agent.

Rommel

I had always wondered how that worked from all the times I've done clean installs. I assumed that they noticed that they paid attention to MAC addresses and the key and where it's being used.


Makes me wonder how this would work if I bought a new motherboard?

A change of motherboard is considered a change of computer - meaning that your OEM product key will no longer activate.

What I meant (and should have said...my fault) was I wonder how it would it work out if you contacted Microsoft about it?

[LiveBrianD]

BGG001, on 01 December 2010 - 05:40 PM, said:

LiveBrianD, on 29 November 2010 - 07:51 PM, said:

BGG001, on 29 November 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:

Rommel, on 06 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Yes it will let you.
You will need to reactivate but that should not be an issue as all things are the same however it identifies itself with the PC.

I have reformatted many times my OEM XP.
7 is the same.

The OEM is to be used only on the first PC its installed on. Dell, Hp, whatever.

If you build your own computers it is only to used with the motherboard it was first installed to work with.

I had a product key situation recently and that is how it was told to me through the microsoft agent.

Rommel

I had always wondered how that worked from all the times I've done clean installs. I assumed that they noticed that they paid attention to MAC addresses and the key and where it's being used.


Makes me wonder how this would work if I bought a new motherboard?

A change of motherboard is considered a change of computer - meaning that your OEM product key will no longer activate.

What I meant (and should have said...my fault) was I wonder how it would it work out if you contacted Microsoft about it?

I think in activating you choose "activate by phone", tell them a code that appears, and they give you a code to type in. At least, that's what the activation wizard says (I've never done it myself).

[w7pro]

AMG7813, on 06 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:

I want to know the difference between Microsoft Windows 7 OEM and Retail version. I know that the retail version comes with support and everything and OEM is just a disc with one-time install. But what if you want to do a clean install on the same computer again after reformatting the hard drive? Would it let you?

Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm with the Windows 7 Professional Outreach team. There's some information about the features of Windows 7 that can be found here: http://bit.ly/WhyWin7Pro. Good luck!