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Can I purchase a Windows 7 Professional retail key and use it in conjunction with an OEM disk of Win 7 Professional to install to another computer? Or do I need a Full Retail disk to use the secondary retail key?
No, I say that but I am not 100% sure.
Most OEM setups are kind of outside the radar of MS. They are tied to some hardware to unlock so to say.
Usually the only way you can get a key is to have a type of commercial account or school or government agreement that allows x number of copies at such and such a price. You would also have access to some technical products and disks that would then be used to deploy the product.
Playing to the angels
Les Paul (1915-2009)
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"Can I purchase a Windows 7 Professional retail key and use it in conjunction with an OEM disk of Win 7 Professional to install to another computer?"
The disc is nothing more than a coaster & of absolutely zero value. What you're paying for is the license to use the OS. In other words, the license validates the install & not the disc type. If you use an OEM disc to install Windows, you are not mandated to activate the install with an OEM key. If you have a legally acquired retail key & you end up activating your installation with it, you are NOT counterfeiting the OS.
"...do I need a Full Retail disk to use the secondary retail key?"
No, you do not.
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Thanks very much for the responses. I feel like I should clarify my situation a little bit, though.
I purchased the Win 7 Professional OEM disk, and have not used it on any computer yet. I intend to use the OEM disk and key to install to one computer that I built myself. It is currently running Win 7 RC. I will format the hard drive and install fresh to this computer.
I would like to use the same OEM disk with a separately purchased retail key to install Win 7 Prof onto several other computers. Basically, format the hard drives and install fresh.
So it sounds like I can use the OEM key to install to the first computer, then use the same disk with a retail key to install to the next computer, and so on for as many retail keys as I wish to purchase.
Or perhaps it would be better to purchase an upgrade key to upgrade my Vista laptop to Win 7 Prof, thereby avoiding the hassle of formatting that computer and starting from scratch?
Does this agree with your understanding?
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You can install your OS using whatever medium or setup method, M$ could care less, insofar as you're not using the one retail license to activate multiple installations you are fine & legal.
What is frowned upon & prohibited is outright or casual piracy & this is when you only acquire one retail license & you use it for more than one machine or share the key with another person.
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Thanks, Sabertooth!
I like that answer, too. It seems like a considerably cheaper way to load Win7 onto more than one computer.
The OEM versions are significantly cheaper. The Retail keys are available all over E-bay for 30-60 bucks or so.
I guess MS has already received their money for the licenses - they are happy. The key resellers are making money and are happy.
So everybody wins?
One last question, I guess. I notice you said the disk is worthless. Is there a way to get the installation files without paying for the disk in some fashion? via a download or something? To me, the hardest part was finding an inexpensive way to get the installation dvd. Thus the OEM disk from the Egg.
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Here is the reason I am afraid to make the jump into this - from a Win7 Pro Retail Key Description on ebay:
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This is for Windows 7 Professional Retail Product KeyPlease make sure this is the key you want be for you purchase. Once I have dispatched the key it will be too late.
THIS IS FOR THE KEY ONLY!!!
THIS WILL ONLY WORK WITH RETAIL DISCS ONLY!!THIS WILL NOT! WORK WITH ANY OEM, UPGRADE, BETA OR RC VERSIONS.
========
Other listings state that the Retail key will work with OEM disks:
========
Windows 7 Professional Full Retail New Key 64-32bitProduct Key only! Compatible with all Retail and OEM versions of Windows 7 Professional 32 Bit and 64 Bit.
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Also, there are TWO type of OEM disks. The recovery CD that may come with a branded computer and the one an individual can purchase from vendors like Newegg.com. The difference is the branded will only work on the computer it came with, or one with very similar hardware. Look at the link below.
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To add to OTH's post from above & perhaps make things clear as mud, there are OEM branded OS discs that are identical -- with the exception of the disc labeling -- to retail or unbranded OEM discs. These discs could be used with any IBM-compatible machine to install Windows, much like one would do with a normal retail disc. I have one that came (as part of the System Restoration CD set) with a Gateway that I got as a gift several years ago ... VARs hardly do this anymore.
This so called branded vs. unbranded license topic may be getting a lot of traction, as always, with the debut of M$ latest OS; but there's hardly much that's new about the whole scheme. For me, OEM aka unbranded license is always the way to go -- with the exception of special promotions -- as I see no reason to pay a penny more than I need to for a Windows license. AFAIC, I could do without the grandiose packaging & damn well won't miss the M$
elusivesupport that comes with a retail license.
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So, Saber.
You are still of the opinion that I can work with my unbranded Win7 Pro OEM disk, and use that in conjunction with Retail Keys I purchase, to do other installs onto other computers. And, those installs will work as if they were full retail?
After reading OTH's links, I was leaning towards the impression that on the OEM disk I have would be some sort of ei.cfg file that would prevent its use with the retail key.
As in, the ei.cfg file's contents would alert the install process that this was an OEM disk, and therefore a retail key would not work - even though the OEM is unbranded.
Sorry if I am being dense.
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Seems to me that unless you are adept at removing that file then things are as they have been since WinXP and you can't use the wrong type of disk even if you have the correct install key.
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I have an RMA for the OEM disk. Think I will not risk it and return the disk, get one Retail disk, and buy the extra keys for subsequent installs.
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I am confused. Why are you returning an OEM disk? You didn't specify what type of OEM disk you have. If it is one that you bought then why would you return it? You obviously got an install key with it so install it.
Just buy the extra versions if you need more copies. Unbranded OEM is the only way to fly, as stated above.
Where did you get a key for a retail version of Windows 7 and not have the DVD? Windows 7 was just put on the market on Oct 22nd.
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I bought the OEM disk from Newegg. It did of course come with an OEM key. But, this will only be good for one install. I would like, however, to install this on several computers. You can buy installation "keys only" without the disks on ebay from key resellers. These keys only cost around $30-$60 a piece. They are usually full retail version keys. But, to make them work, you need a Win 7 installation disk. The key only activates the install, the installation disk itself is not included with these retail keys.
I want to pay for the disk I use only one time, since the disks are more expensive than the keys. I am trying to decide if the OEM disk I have now will allow the future use of the Retail keys on subsequent installs (for family, friends, etc).
I would be willing to pay for a retail install disk, and use the later purchased retail keys for future installs.
But, if possible, I wold rather use this unbranded OEM disk for the installs since it is about $150 cheaper than the retail disk.
I am getting very mixed messages as to whether the use of the unbranded OEM disk with full retail keys will work.
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I think the keys you are referring to are pirated. Go to the Microsoft site and read about buying keys without COAs.
If you think the cost is in the disk you are mistaken. The cost is in the money going to Microsoft and of course any tech support given.
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Of course the cost is not in the actual physical media.
If the keys are pirated, then MS better wake up. They are ALL OVER ebay, by the hundreds. And they seem to be working fine for buyers.
Try this: ebay search.
I believe ebay would be sued immediately for their role in this if they are pirated.
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M$ & eBay are pretty much aware of it. Install Win7 with it and wait to see what the new WAT (WGA's predecessor) validation checks will do to your copy of Windows.
i_Xp/VistaUser
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It is not unusual to come across TechNet & MSDN keys for sale online, although, it is illegal to sell these "unlimited testing" keys as retail. I don't know about eBay & what they are doing to ensure nothing illegal is going on. But, most sites online do not condone such sales because M$ does monitor these type of activities & they do not hesitate to sent a nice letter when necessary to curb these.
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