I shall shortly buy a PC. I will install XP. I think I will be able to buy a xp pro- OEM or corporate. Now what is the difference between OEM,corporate and retail version? Is OEM less than retail in features, quality, stability or anything else? Pl.guide

Hi Manu, I could be wrong, but I believe the difference is that Microsoft does not support OEM versions. If you have a problem and contact them they will refer you back to the OEM who installed it. Otherwise, they should be identicle. Good luck

I think OEM Corporate does not require activation - hence the reason it is the copy everyone gets pirated.

The OEM license is more restrictive than retail, but otherwise idententical as far as features go. The so-called 'corporate' version, which is what you get when you purchase a volume license, requires no activation, but is otherwise identical to the other two.

If you're buying it from a store, the only option that you will have is the retail version. OEM would come from a computer company, and corporate is only offered to businesses with a network license. All versions of professional have the same features though.

Ken is right, If you buy the OEM version, you will receive no technical support from Microsoft, unless you pay for it. If you have a problem and contact them, they will refer you back to the OEM whom you bought it from.

Microsoft will not support this OEM vs. of xp. Usually when you purchase a computer and an operating system is on it already. This operating system is usually but not always an OEM vs. : If your pc has a sticker on it with the serial code, it should state that it is a OEM vs. . Also, not sure if this is true, but they say that OEM versions are only good for the machine that THey were originally installed on , something about the license built into the cd . Not sure about, but will know soon enough. I purchase an OEM full version of XP PRO. over the internet recently and building a dual processor system that I plan on installing this operating system on . should know in a couple days after I install it. I am going to try to install in on another system to test it. I do own a microm pc which came with a OEM operating system of windows ME and I did try to install on other machines that I built and I always got an error on installation stating that this is not the micron pc and operating system can not be installed. GO Figure !!!!!