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Using OEM Versions of Microsoft Win 7

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by rwbyshe9 3 views

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I have no experience with OEM versions of MS Windows so I need some help. Here's the scenario and my question.

A client has a pc that is over 4 years old. He is currently running XP Pro and would like to upgrade to Win 7 now and purchase a new pc in a year or so. Obiously the best Win 7 prices are on the OEM versions so that's why he wants to buy one.

Question:
If he purchases and installs an OEM version of Win 7 on his current pc will Microsoft actually NOT VALIDATE it when he installs it on a new pc in a year or so?

Has anyone actually had a rejection by Microsoft on a reinstall of OEM software?

10 replies

by seanferd

Experience with past OEM versions of Windows may have been different.

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Carey Frisch (An MS MVP)

Source:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/fae7b2ab-c530-45e6-aeb3-cc55cf7b9231

by cmiller5400

As Seanferd stated, you can't do what your client asks legally. And yes, Microsoft can and does track activations (ran into issues with Win XP activations a while back after changing video card (it died) and adding memory at the same time).

I have to explain this to my clients constantly. They don't "OWN" the software and use it unlimited times, they just purchase the "RIGHT TO USE" the software according to the EULA (usually only for one machine). Huge penalty's if you get caught pirating software.

by rwbyshe9

I kind of figured the answer was a no go but I've had no personal experience with MS Not Validating a copy of their OS. And the OEM copy would be legal and not pirated. Thanks for the info, it just reaffirms what I already thought on the subject.

by cmiller5400

If you buy a RETAIL copy, that is a horse of a different color. That version is allowed to be moved to another machine as long as it is removed permanently from the old machine.

by oh smeg

Or more importantly not within the EULA that the user agrees to when they first Open Windows.

With Activations when you make 3 changes to the Hardware you need to reactivate the Software and if this happens a lot for instance with a Test Machine that you test new Hardware on you will run into problems with Reactivation. Remember a change is also returning the system to Original Condition after testing a new Video Card, So fitting the Video Card is 1 Change and refitting the original Video Card is another change.

Fitting 6 new SCSI HDD under XP resulted in a visit from M$ Legal who was convinced that i was Pirating their Software so in answer to your question Yes M$ do track their Software and Activations.

But probably much more importantly will his 4 year old system actually run 7? Have you checked it with the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15

Seems fairly pointless to buy a copy of 7 if it's not going to run on the existing hardware. ;)

However if he's purchasing a new PC in a year or so unless he has some White Box Shop to sell him a Bare Metal computer they all come with a Windows OS installed so when he buys that new computer in a year or so time it will come with 7 preloaded.

Col

by rwbyshe9

Thanks for your input.
I tend to agree with you about putting Win 7 on his old machine but he was asking. I'm sure you've run into the same thing in your experience of some folks think they can still make an old nag run like a young thoroughbred.
I didn't have an honest answer for him not having used OEM OS before or any NON VALIDATIONS from MS. So I had to pose the question.

Thanks again for your input.

by oh smeg

As generally speaking I don't do Domestic work and I don't use OEM Stuff all that much either.

But I have run into issues over the years with it.

Col

by rwbyshe9

Thanks for all your inputs.

My recommendation to my client will be to hold off and simply wait until he purchases his new PC and he'll get a valid copy of Win 7 installed on the new PC.

This is what I wanted him to do anyway but I felt I had to honestly answer his question.

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