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    Windows 8 OEM question

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by adrian5683, Dec 21, 2012.

  1. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi guys, does this OEM version of Windows 8 tie itself to a pc's hardware? I'm wondering if I can do a clean Win 8 install, make a disk image, and then migrate to another pc later if I choose to...

    Thanks.
     
    adrian5683, Dec 21, 2012
    #1
  2. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    The Windows 8 that comes pre-installed on computers is activated via a key burned into the system.

    That key is not transferrable.
     
    S.SubZero, Dec 22, 2012
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  3. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    I see. But, even though it's also called an OEM version, that doesn't apply to a retail bought copy, correct?
     
    adrian5683, Dec 22, 2012
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  4. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    There's an OEM which sells with new mobo and there's a normal retail, without any restrictions.
     
    killkenny1, Dec 22, 2012
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  5. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    OEM licenses can be bought without a mobo, just you need to buy hardware with them. A mouse would do.
     
    ratchetnclank, Dec 22, 2012
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  6. BenSanford

    BenSanford Notebook Enthusiast

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    A related question. I bought a laptop with Win 7 in August, which included the offer to download the upgrade to win 8. So the Win 8 I have installed is on top of the OEM win 7 installation. If I needed to do a clean install, is there a way I could do this. Is my win 7 product key now used for win 8?
     
    BenSanford, Dec 22, 2012
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  7. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    No sir, both keys are separate. To do a clean install, format drive, install Windows 7 in partition #1, then install Windows 8 in partition #2.

    If all you want is Windows 8 then boot Windows 7 and run the Windows 8 installer from the Windows 7 desktop.
     
    Rodster, Dec 22, 2012
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  8. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Since Vista was introduced even that isn't needed. Just buy the white box :) License will be tied to the system it is first activated to, not to any hardware it was bought with (how that could even be done...).
    it looks like this:
    [​IMG]
     
    KLF, Dec 22, 2012
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  9. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    But as I understand it, Windows 8 removed the "limitations" of OEM software. In other words, it WON'T be tied to the system it's installed on. Is that correct?

    It would make sense since most manufacturers ship their systems with Windows pre-installed without providing restore DVDs any more.
     
    adrian5683, Dec 22, 2012
    #9
  10. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    I haven't heard such thing and how it even relates with restore media availability? :)

    There was other changes though, no more unique sticker in the bottom of the laptop. As far as I know, now the unique key is stored in bios and Win8 detects it and then activates itself. So the most common way of piracy won't work anymore (take the code in the sticker and install it on another computer).

    Edit: If you are referring to OEM version bought from a store, it should activate like Win7 did: enter key during installation.
     
    KLF, Dec 23, 2012
    #10