clean installation Windows 10 pro

• Retail: The retail version of Windows is the full version and the standard “consumer” version. Anytime you walk into an electronics store and see the boxed sets of Windows, you’re looking at the retail version. It’s designed for people who want to upgrade their computer or buy a new license. The license can be installed on any computer, and it comes with full support from Microsoft.
• OEM: The OEM version of Windows is a system builder and primarily used by large computer manufacturers as well as local computer shops. Computer enthusiasts can use them on their workstation PCs, though Microsoft has gone back and forth as to whether or not this is allowed. The OEM version is tied to a single PC forever, and it doesn’t come with support from Microsoft.

As you can imagine, the OEM version of Windows is much cheaper than the retail version, but it’s also far more limited. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re building your own workstation PC and every dollar counts.

>>The above is what I have been reading about the difference and was not aware that shops used OEM. I guess I have to think this through.
If you built your own, which would you use?

maranna said:

If you built your own, which would you use?

Retail, to the extent you build your own and want to be able to reinstall to a new PC indefinitely into the future.

At one time, Microsoft wasn't particularly strict about enforcing the distinction between retail and OEM, but I don't know where that stands now.

As far as I know, if you buy from MS direct, you'll be getting retail. Or you can buy a retail key from someone like Newegg and download from MS, but there might not be any price advantage.

Thank you. I think this is closed as I have some personal issues to work on with the good information I have received.

Thank you