W10 purchased from Microsoft store = OEM or 'Retail'?


  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    W10 purchased from Microsoft store = OEM or 'Retail'?


    It's not entirely crystal clear, I have an OEM install of W7 upgraded to W10 at the moment so my W10 is OEM. I'm looking at changing motherboard in the near future so I'd end up having to buy another copy of W10.

    Now, I could buy an OEM copy from a UK retailer for £79. Or I can got to the Microsoft Store and pay £99 for a W10 Home 'download' version. What it doesn't say is whether this is an OEM copy tied to one device or a 'retail' that can be installed as many times as I like if I change motherboard/PC.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 282
    Windows 10, 8.1, 7, and Vista
       #2

    If you have W7 OEM version and you change motherboards, just call MS and tell them you had a system failure. MS is pretty lenient and they will probably reactivate your OEM key.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 282
    Windows 10, 8.1, 7, and Vista
       #3

    But to answer your question, the only version MS sells through their site is the Full Retail version. They come in USB drives, not DVDs. (Stupid idea, IMO)
      My Computer


  4. You
    Posts : 613
    Windows 10 Enterprise x64 (build 10586)
       #4

    bobjoe said:
    But to answer your question, the only version MS sells through their site is the Full Retail version. They come in USB drives, not DVDs. (Stupid idea, IMO)
    USB drives are faster and less prone to breaking than DVDs, and you don't need to have a disc drive in order to install Windows 10 (this is useful for netbooks or some laptops).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #5

    If you can find a USB to ISO program I'd do that just so I can have the ISO saved somewhere in case the flash drive dies.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 605
    Windows 10
       #6

    bobjoe said:
    But to answer your question, the only version MS sells through their site is the Full Retail version. They come in USB drives, not DVDs. (Stupid idea, IMO)
    When I built my system (originally with a 3570K & Z77 MB) I put in a DVD drive so I could install Win 7, but that's the only time I've ever used the drive.
    It would have made more sense for it to be on USB, so I could have bypassed the purchase of the DVD drive altogether.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    bobjoe said:
    If you have W7 OEM version and you change motherboards, just call MS and tell them you had a system failure. MS is pretty lenient and they will probably reactivate your OEM key.
    Whether or not that actually works, it's still illegal to do so.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25
    Win 10
       #8

    Let's call it a challenge to the provisions of the End User License Agreement. Illegal seems a bit strong. And if the company representative reauthorizes it then all is good.
      My Computer


 

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