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General discussion

Question on Windows 7 Home Premium OEM

Oct 3, 2010 1:17PM PDT

I want to buy a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM operating system for my new computer. I just wanna make sure is it a full installation and not a upgrade? What's OEM stand for and why does that label make it like $100 cheaper than another Windows 7 without OEM? Thanks for the help.

Discussion is locked

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Sadly the rules changed.
Oct 3, 2010 2:29PM PDT
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would you suggest...
Oct 3, 2010 4:19PM PDT

so would you advise me buying the real windows 7 home premium version for $200? considering it comes with support and I can use it on future machines?

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Also
Oct 3, 2010 4:31PM PDT

If your suggestion is I do, would the $200 copy of windows 7 have a set number of installation times. I plan to build more computers in the future but I need a OS disc that can install multiple times rather than just once.

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Re: installing OS
Oct 3, 2010 5:02PM PDT

You can use the same DVD to install the OS on many PC's. You need to buy another $200 license for each one that it is used on simultaneously. But you can reuse it free if it isn't used any more on the first PC (you destroyed that PC, or you replaced Windows 7 by a retail copy of Windows 8, or by Linux).

Kees

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So I'm guessing...
Oct 4, 2010 12:11AM PDT

In other words, I should just get the $200 dollar disc since I can install it on multiple computers rather than the OEM version that's just locked to only one installation right?

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I think you missed it.
Oct 4, 2010 12:39AM PDT

The 200 dollar disc can be installed on millions of machines. But there is no license except for the first one so the other machines will stop working in about 28 days.

This is all well discussed and we'll keep trying if you will.
Bob

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Beware that OEM licenses die with the machine.
Oct 4, 2010 12:18AM PDT

This area can upset some and if you read the license, the license dies with the machine which is why it is cheaper. The full retail has transfer rights.

You can find and read where the OEM license does transfer and you can read the license and posts where the license dies.

All this means is that there is a reason why the OEM license is cheaper. It's all about rights. You are buying less.
Bob

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So...
Oct 4, 2010 8:08AM PDT

Is there a way I can renew my license so that Windows 7 will work on other machines?

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Re: Windows 7 license
Oct 4, 2010 8:09AM PDT

Contact your local Microsoft office. Or simply buy another disk in the shop. That shouldn't cost more.

Kees

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Actually...
Oct 4, 2010 8:14AM PDT

I just read the above posts and I realized I have to buy more $200 licenses for future computers. Thanks for all the help, I think I get how this will work for me now.