Getting a new drive what Windows key should I buy?

Hi, buying a new drive what type of key should I buy. A genuine one or an OEM? I've never understood the differences between the two of them.

Hi hollyoaks777,
If you had Win10 on your old HD and all you are doing is replacing the HD you don't need to but a new license. After you reinstall Win 10, as long as you're installing the same version, it will automatically activate. Just skip the serial number and it will contact the MS activation servers and reactivity. I did the same thing earlier today.

If the current hd is good you can just clone it to the new drive soyou keep everything as you have it now or if you want clean install get the win10 iso from https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

A genuine one or an OEM? I've never understood the differences between the two of them.

The software is the same between the two, Pro is the same as Pro, Home is the same as Home. Some OEMs add what they want which is called "Bloatware". If wanting to avoid Bloatware and having to buy a copy of the OS anyway, go for the Retail version, has nothing extra added.

An OEM or System Builder software is usually cheaper but becomes tied to the computer when installed. The Retail or Upgrade version can be installed on a Replacement computer but not both at the same time. The Product Keys are dependent upon which edition is installed, e.g. Home or Pro, but usually can be either 32-bit or 64-bit.

hollyoaks777 said:

Hi, buying a new drive what type of key should I buy. A genuine one or an OEM? I've never understood the differences between the two of them.

Legally, according to Microsoft licensing, you can't use the OEM version on a computer that you intend to keep and use yourself. OEM is only for installing on a computer that you are going to sell. Physically, of course, you can.

As SoFine409 stated, though, since you are putting this new drive into a computer that has already had Windows 10 installed on it, all you have to do during Windows 10 install is click the link that says "I don't have a product key" when it asks you for a product key. As long as you install the same version (Home or Pro) that was on the computer before, when you connect to the internet it will activate itself. You don't need to purchase anything.

Source:
https://dpcenter.microsoft.com/en/Wi...multi-language

"4. Limited License. If you comply with the terms
of this license, Microsoft grants you a limited
license to preinstall and distribute the software.
Except as granted in this license, you may
not use, run, copy, modify, display, distribute,
repackage or reassemble the software. You may
not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble
the software, except to the extent expressly
permitted by this license or by applicable law
notwithstanding this prohibition. All rights not
expressly granted are reserved."

SoFine409 said:

Hi hollyoaks777,
If you had Win10 on your old HD and all you are doing is replacing the HD you don't need to but a new license. After you reinstall Win 10, as long as you're installing the same version, it will automatically activate. Just skip the serial number and it will contact the MS activation servers and reactivity. I did the same thing earlier today.

Thanks.

NavyLCDR said:

Legally, according to Microsoft licensing, you can't use the OEM version on a computer that you intend to keep and use yourself. OEM is only for installing on a computer that you are going to sell. Physically, of course, you can.

As SoFine409 stated, though, since you are putting this new drive into a computer that has already had Windows 10 installed on it, all you have to do during Windows 10 install is click the link that says "I don't have a product key" when it asks you for a product key. As long as you install the same version (Home or Pro) that was on the computer before, when you connect to the internet it will activate itself. You don't need to purchase anything.

Source:
https://dpcenter.microsoft.com/en/Wi...multi-language

"4. Limited License. If you comply with the terms
of this license, Microsoft grants you a limited
license to preinstall and distribute the software.
Except as granted in this license, you may
not use, run, copy, modify, display, distribute,
repackage or reassemble the software. You may
not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble
the software, except to the extent expressly
permitted by this license or by applicable law
notwithstanding this prohibition. All rights not
expressly granted are reserved."

Thanks

NavyLCDR said:

Legally, according to Microsoft licensing, you can't use the OEM version on a computer that you intend to keep and use yourself.

Don't use the word "legally" when you mean "legally (in the US perhaps)".

You mean "according to MS EULA". Which terms are legally valid depends on what country you live in.

In Europe it certainly is legal to transfer OEM licenses.

lx07 said:

Don't use the word "legally" when you mean "legally (in the US perhaps)".

You mean "according to MS EULA". Which terms are legally valid depends on what country you live in.

In Europe it certainly is legal to transfer OEM licenses.

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?