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Well I read some about the OEM version restrictions of Windows. It sounds like I would be better off with the full retail version of Windows 7. The OEM version is intended for vendor and business use basically. I'm not a vendor or a business. I'm just a private individual wanting a copy for my own personal use.
Let me look around in my office to see if I have a spare single W7 license. I deal mostly with MAK activations so I can't give you the key.. Still have a few 50 MAK and we no longer use W7.
Okay, that would be cool. Although I'm not sure how I would get the actual operating system itself and a key...
Well I read some about the OEM version restrictions of Windows. It sounds like I would be better off with the full retail version of Windows 7. The OEM version is intended for vendor and business use basically. I'm not a vendor or a business. I'm just a private individual wanting a copy for my own personal use.
The only restriction is in the portability between computers. The OEM version is intended to be installed on one PC and then be tied to that particular PC forever. The retail version may only be installed on one PC at a time but is able to have its license transferred to a new PC. Microsoft considers the "PC" to be primarily defined as the motherboard. This is why OEM versions cost a little less to purchase.
In all other ways the OEM and retail copies are identical for the given version of Windows (Home, Pro, 32 bit, 64 bit, etc.) that you install.
The only other question I would have is, why not just buy Windows 10?
I bought my copy some years ago (Windows 7 Ultimate). I have not used it, but wanted to have it in case I am ever forced to stop using Windows XP (I LIKE Windows XP!). I think I paid about $400.
Be careful of fakes. If the price is low, it is a fake.
i am curious as to why. seems like some expensive hoop jumping when there are alternatives that are adequate/good/better ?
i am curious as to why. seems like some expensive hoop jumping when there are alternatives that are adequate/good/better ?
I am not sure which alternatives you are referring to. OEM versions are out, because I would be locked into my current hardware setup, motherboard in particular.
I had a college course in Linux, and have experimented with it in the past. However, I could never get it to fully support my hardware.
I am not sure which alternatives you are referring to. OEM versions are out, because I would be locked into my current hardware setup, motherboard in particular.
I had a college course in Linux, and have experimented with it in the past. However, I could never get it to fully support my hardware.
thanx i was referring to windows-10 or mac or linux.
thanx i was referring to windows-10 or mac or linux.
I was thinking about this overnight. My Windows 7 version is Ultimate, with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs. Since I always buy the full-featured version of any given program, it did not occur to me that there are other versions that are probably cheaper.
I had W7 Enterprise on two used machines, and wanted to upgrade them to W10.
Enterprise was not upgradeable.
Bought two copies of W7 Pro on Ebay a year ago for $75 each, and their keys worked fine for that purpose.
The only restriction is in the portability between computers. The OEM version is intended to be installed on one PC and then be tied to that particular PC forever. The retail version may only be installed on one PC at a time but is able to have its license transferred to a new PC. Microsoft considers the "PC" to be primarily defined as the motherboard. This is why OEM versions cost a little less to purchase.
In all other ways the OEM and retail copies are identical for the given version of Windows (Home, Pro, 32 bit, 64 bit, etc.) that you install.
The only other question I would have is, why not just buy Windows 10?
I was running Windows 7 on my home PC and download and tried out Windows 8 on a trial version and hated it. And I know Windows 10 is virtually the same as Windows 8.
Most of my experience is in using Windows 7, XP, Vista, ME, 98 and 95 versions. That's what I'm used to using and most comfortable with. When Windows 8 was released it was a generally ill-received mess and a big step in the wrong direction in my opinion.
I'll use Windows 10 if I have to but I don't really want to.
What are the main differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10 anyway?
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