Getting a new drive what Windows key should I buy?

hollyoaks777 said:

I've always wondered why they say OEM. Because surely that means it was released to a new machine. Waiting to be activated. Does it not?

Yeah, that is the main case. You can buy OEM license as well which has the same restrictions in the license agreement. It says you can only sell the license with the hardware it is on. This clause doesn't apply in all countries even though it is in the terms.

My point was what the license agreement says and what is legal or not isn't necessarily the same. There can be all sort of odd stuff in a license agreement - iTunes EULA for example said not to use it to aid "the development, design, manufacture, or production of nuclear, missile, or chemical or biological weapons.”. Covering their bases I guess.

Interestingly all the PCs I've upgraded to 10 have assumed retail license so perhaps MS don't care so much about the distinction any more.

lx07 said:

Yeah, that is the main case. You can buy OEM license as well which has the same restrictions in the license agreement. It says you can only sell the license with the hardware it is on. This clause doesn't apply in all countries even though it is in the terms.

My point was what the license agreement says and what is legal or not isn't necessarily the same. There can be all sort of odd stuff in a license agreement - iTunes EULA for example said not to use it to aid "the development, design, manufacture, or production of nuclear, missile, or chemical or biological weapons.”. Covering their bases I guess.

Interestingly all the PCs I've upgraded to 10 have assumed retail license so perhaps MS don't care so much about the distinction any more.

Oh I wasn't questioning your knowledge. I was just interested to hear if that was the case for OEM licence. Thanks lx07