Windows 7 - Upgrade versus OEM?

[Don]

Hey gang,

Good to see there is a Win 7 newsgroup now.

I have been gathering components for a new X-58 / I7 build, have everything
but Windows 7 and a new hard drive, which I am about to pull the trigger on.
I am contemplating getting either Windows 7 Premium, in either the upgrade
version, or the OEM version, and am just trying to decide which version to
place my order for. There is not a lot of difference pricewise between the
two on NewEgg, so price between the two is not a big factor.

First, I think Home Premium will be fine for me, I will not be using any
file encryption, and as far as having the XP mode available , well I have XP
Pro now in a dual boot with Vista Ultimate 64 bit ( full version ), and I
have not booted into XP in many months, so don't think I would need having
the XP- Mode available to me.
I will be installing the 64 bit version of whichever one I decide on.
I will also be doing a clean install on a new hard drive with whichever one
I get.

Here is what I am thinking:

OEM Version - I like the fact it will be a full version, and do not have to
worry with having an activated copy of either my XP Pro or Vista Ultimate
already installed anytime I want to do a clean install.
I realize I would not get MS support, but have not used that in many years,
usually can find answers on either web forums or these newsgroups.
The only downside I see - I do tend to change hardware fairly regular, may
change cpu and/or vid card in a year, and motherboard again probably in a
couple of years. This may cause some aggravation, but seems like from what I
have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a
new activation code...


Upgrade Version - I know there would be no issue when changing hardware,
but then " officially " , would have a copy of either my XP Pro or Vista
Ultimate installed and activated. But, from what I have read, " unofficially
", there are ways around this to do a clean install using the upgrade
version without having to have a previously installed activated copy of an
OS. But then, I suppose, at some point MS could do something that would
change the way to unofficially get around that?.

Anyway that is what I am thinking, would sure appreciate any feedback from
others before I do pull the trigger on ordering Windows 7.




Thanks,

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Don.

have read a phone call to MS if necessary usually resolves it by getting a
new activation code...

I think you'd better read some more! The phone call works for a retail
edition of Windows. But an OEM installation is bound forever to the
computer on which it is first installed.

I am contemplating getting either Windows 7 Premium, in either the upgrade
version, or the OEM version, and am just trying to decide which version to
place my order for. There is not a lot of difference pricewise between the
two on NewEgg, so price between the two is not a big factor.

Then go for the upgrade! Avoiding the probable future hassle is well worth
it.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[Don]

Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your
judgment.

No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then.

Thanks again,

 

[Brian Gregory [UK]]

Hi, Don.


I think you'd better read some more! The phone call works for a retail
edition of Windows. But an OEM installation is bound forever to the
computer on which it is first installed.

Just tell them your power supplied died and took out most of the other
components of your PC and you have to replace them with newer parts.
They'll let you activate again.

 

[Don Lope de Aguirre]

But, from what I have read, " unofficially ", there are ways around this to
do a clean install using the upgrade version without having to have a
previously installed activated copy of an OS. But then, I suppose, at some
point MS could do something that would change the way to unofficially get
around that?.

Nah, it's hardcoded into the original install disk so there is no way
Microsoft could change it because you don't need to be connected to the
internet to use it so nothing can be changed at Microsoft's end. The latest
method at Paul Thurott's site for Win7 also works in Vista, so I found out 2
days ago, and is very simple to do. No double install method like I used to
use on Vista. Make one registry change, run a rearm cmd command as admin and
then reboot PC, activate Windows and enter your product code, simple.

 

[Don]

Nah, it's hardcoded into the original install disk so there is no way
Microsoft could change it because you don't need to be connected to the
internet to use it so nothing can be changed at Microsoft's end. The
latest method at Paul Thurott's site for Win7 also works in Vista, so I
found out 2 days ago, and is very simple to do. No double install method
like I used to use on Vista. Make one registry change, run a rearm cmd
command as admin and then reboot PC, activate Windows and enter your
product code, simple.

Thanks for the info, good to know.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your
judgment.

No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then.

I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go
for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you
have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed.

 

[Don]

I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it
go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find
you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed.

Ironically I noticed the price diff between home premium upgrade and full
was only about 80 bucks, so I decided to go ahead and get the full version
just to save having any hassle at some point.


Thanks,

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Don.

Full retail? That's the smart decision, in my opinion. ;<)

just to save having any hassle at some point.

Yep! A year from now, you won't remember the price difference - but you
would sure remember if you had gone cheaper and were prevented from making
the next upgrade or transition because you had only a limited license.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[Don]

Yep, that is pretty much my line of thinking on it as well.
Thanks for the feedback,

 

[MICHAEL]

I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it go
for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find you
have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed.

Not really.

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media



-Michael

 

[Gordon]

Not really.

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media

Interestingly, unless I missed something, that site does not talk about
installing on a bare HDD but only on an HDD that already has a qualifying OS
on it...suppose the OP had to replace the HDD? What then?

 

[Brian Gregory [UK]]

I would strongly advise AGAINST the upgrade version. If you can afford it
go for the FULL version . Say you needed to do a re-install and you find
you have lost the qualifying OS for the upgrade? You're stuffed.

Just make a copy of the CD/DVD that qualifies you for the upgrade and keep
it with the Windows 7 DVD(s).

 

[John E. Carty]

You can clean install the upgrade version without first loading the
qualifying OS

 

[Brian W]

Thanks R.C., I was hoping you might reply as I certainly value your
judgment.

No more debate for me, I will stay away from the OEM version then.

Thanks again,

A generic OEM/System builder licence is technically limited to the first PC
it's installed on, but the PC can be 'upgraded' ad infinitum. MS don't
specifically state what constitutes a 'new' PC so you can be sure that an
OEM version is perfectly fine to use.

 

[Don]

A generic OEM/System builder licence is technically limited to the first
PC it's installed on, but the PC can be 'upgraded' ad infinitum. MS don't
specifically state what constitutes a 'new' PC so you can be sure that an
OEM version is perfectly fine to use.

Thanks for the info Brian, I have already pulled the trigger and have
received Windows 7 Home Premium full retail version, along with the
remaining components for my new build I will be doing soon.
Yeah I know I could have saved some bucks, but just decided in my mind I
would be more comfortable with a full retail version considering how often I
change out hardware.

 

[Witness]

Interestingly, unless I missed something, that site does not talk about
installing on a bare HDD but only on an HDD that already has a qualifying OS
on it...suppose the OP had to replace the HDD? What then?

Dude, you need to get out and read a little more. Information is
_everywhere_ on how to use the Upgrade version for a clean install. No
qualifying previous OS is needed. This capability goes back to at
least Vista, so if MS didn't want people taking advantage of it they
would have closed the loop by now.

 

[Lord Vetinari]

On the other hand, the Upgrade version is perfectly capable of doing a
clean install by itself. So no, you're not stuffed in the slightest.

heheh. You've beaten me to it. I wonder why they even bother making the
"full" version?

 

[Lord Vetinari]

Dude, you need to get out and read a little more. Information is
_everywhere_ on how to use the Upgrade version for a clean install. No
qualifying previous OS is needed. This capability goes back to at
least Vista, so if MS didn't want people taking advantage of it they
would have closed the loop by now.

Back to XP, at least, IIRC.

 

[Witness]

heheh. You've beaten me to it. I wonder why they even bother making the
"full" version?

My guess is it's because they are a "for profit" company.

Every buyer who chooses the full version rather than the less
expensive upgrade version represents additional revenue to MS. The
rest is just marketing. Create confusion and then capitalize on it.