Windows OEM Version: What's the ACTUAL Difference?

▼ Time Stamps: ▼
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - What Does OEM Actually Mean?
1:44 - OEM vs Retail Differences
4:36 - Excellent Thing Indeed
5:49 - Do You ACTUALLY Not Get Support?
6:23 - Wait, Windows Support?
8:03 - The Actual Support Terms
8:48 - The License for Windows
10:15 - The License for Windows
12:51 - OEM Disc Packaging
14:22 - The OEM License
15:24 - Takeaways

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[CryingCroc.]

I never have to contact Microsoft Support. Their India branch calls me all the time!

[silverchairx]

Windows support forum..."Hello, my name is David I will be very happy to assist you today, please open up command prompt and type sfc /scannow"

This problem has been marked as resolved.

[marcberm]

The reason the System Builder/OEM license states that the manufacturer must provide support is more related to support for the hardware, as Microsoft cannot be expected to provide support on hardware they didn't produce. Generally, Microsoft's assertions don't extend beyond this, and they will always provide support for their own software and updates, which is why they seem to make the same specific carve-out for support in both the retail and OEM license. In short, the only differece with the OEM license is Microsoft trying to make clear that their responsability ends with Windows, and that the hardware as well as any other software remain the responsibility of their supplier (AKA "not Microsoft").

[boban]

The thing about OEMs being required to provide end user support is just a play so that no one can say that they bought a "Windows PC" and "it" has no support. That way Microsoft can blame the "manufacturer" in court for breaking the license agreement

[soundspark]

My retail license of Windows 7 is like the gift that keeps on giving. Replaced my motherboard after power supply troubles, and thanks to a Microsoft Account was able to re-activate it on Windows 11.

[wixlogo]

You can get support even if you don't have any license. You can access Microsoft support from a web browser, even on Android, and all you need is a Microsoft account. There is no check for what license of Windows do you own

[momoanddudu]

The OEM version being tied to the motherboard is an important point.
I had a motherboard fail. It was under guarantee, *and* the shop was unable to get another board like it, or even supporting the same CPU. So they gave me a new motherboard and CPU for free.
Which is nice, except I upgraded a Home license (bought at the Windows 7 days) to an Pro OEM (missed that) license. Both the old Home key and new pro key stopped working.
Sure, I could buy an OEM version of Windows with each PC. I'm sure that would make MS happy.

[williamnessanbaum]

To the best of my understanding:

OEM Installation: If the motherboard fails the license *can not* be transferred to a new motherboard. When the motherboard fails the Windows license dies along with the motherboard.
Retail Installation: If the motherboard fails, you go into your Micro$oft account (on a different machine) and deactivate the license on the machine that failed. Once deactivated, the same key can be reactivated once reinstalled to a new machine.

[bdp-racing]

After losing a motherboard I almost had to buy thousands of dollars worth of software that was locked to my old Windows OEM key. I explained the situation to Microsoft and they took control of the computer and reset all the keys remotely. It was a little unsettling how they took control of the computer after only asking in the chat box. Anyway, they reactivated everything even without me knowing the keys. Their customer support is pretty good. It’s just a little weird how they can gain access to everything so easily.

[mrmikes]

I bought the retailed version of Win10 Pro. I linked the key to my microsoft account. So when 11 pro came out I got the free upgrade. Lets come to the point. I have a wife and kids. Each person in my familty has a PC, laptop, or a raspberry-pi running Windows. I set thier microsoft accounts under the family plan with myself and wife as the Admin. That 1 product number of Win10 Pro is on 5 Windows 11 devices. Microsoft is not bitching and all 5 devices is showing up on my Microsoft account.

[_SJ]

5:13 Yeah, you really gave up on the tracking 😅 Still funny everytime I see the moving screen 😅

[SanderEvers]

If I'm building the PC, I see myself as it's OEM. So I also always buy the OEM versions. And you actually CAN transfer the license. Once. But you might have to call the automated windows activation service to do so.

[JadeLockpicker]

So, I've had the luck of needing to call MS Support with an OEM version after a windows update hosed a machine I was using for work from home _before_ that became a major thing. Yes, I built the computer. but my OEM key didn't come with a nice little disc or bundle of legalese like that. THey tried to turn me away. My response was simple: "Yes, the customer _did_ call the manufacturer to ask them first. I am the manufacturer of this computer, and now I'm calling you so I can support my customer because this issue is not with any added software or bits and bobs." I got my support, go figure.

[KPbICMAH]

in the good ole Windows 7 times, you had to enter the key before downloading the Windows distro from Microsoft. If you entered an OEM key, if my memory serves me correctly, you were told to bugger off and contact your system builder. those were the days...

[onlysublime]

Actually, the ability to install on any computer is the reason the retail version is better. I learned this when I had upgraded my computer too much with the OEM version. It said I no longer activated. So I called Microsoft to reactivate it. Microsoft will reactivate it to a certain point. If you call a few times to reactivate it, at a certain point, they said you've made too many changes to reactivate it. So if you're the type to keep upgrading a computer, you should get the retail version. I don't get the OEM version anymore after this experience because I felt I had legitimately bought Windows and that upgrades should be fully allowed. What happened in my situation, was I bought a bunch of components to build a system. I ended up having a defective motherboard and having to replace it. A series of events later, I ended up getting a totally different brand of motherboard which made the whole situation worse. Retail version solves everything. If you end up building a new computer because the old computer died or was retired, you just keep going.

[jeffscheeler]

I had Micron computer that upgraded from Windows 95 to XP. I had a problem with the onboard sound card. Micron would not help me unless I un-installed XP because I didn't get the upgrade from them. It was still under warranty so I un-installed XP then they ended up replacing replacing the motherboard. Several months later the sound card built into the motherboard died again, so rather fighting with Micron again I just bought a new soundcard and disabled the on board sound. I didn't want un-install XP again.

[itisabird]

If I had called them every time Windows failed, they'd need a customer support agent just for me.

[AndreNeufeld]

Worked for Microsoft Support about ten years ago. OEM has free support when it comes to issues with Windows Update. All other support is PPI (Pay Per Incident).

[OlaftheGreat]

I was able to transfer the OEM license from a decade old laptop to my current build because it was tied to my Microsoft account. I can't guarantee that will work for anyone else but I'm glad it worked out for me

[fwendnl]

Be aware that if you upgrade your bios (UEFI), sometimes Windows will say that the hardware has changed and invalidate the OEM license. If you build your own system I would always choose retail for this reason alone, and also for being able to transfer.