Cheapest place to buy Windows 7,8,10 + what's the deal with Retail vs OEM this time?

[ZaO]

Looking at online stores, it doesn't seem to be easy to tell which versions of Windows 10 are Retail, and which are OEM/System Builder. Some of them are listed as OEM, some list the same versions as Retail, while others don't specify what they are. How do we tell?

It would also be great to get some clarity on the limitations in regards to moving your licence to a new computer/upgrading the motherboard. Can the Retail version of Windows 10 do that like it could in previous versions of Windows? What about the OEM/System builder version?

Also, I'm looking at buying a retail licence for Windows 7, 8 or 10 (7 or 8 will be used for upgrading to 10). Anyone know any cheap, reliable places?

Thanks.

[GuidoLS]

Looks like Scan in the UK.

http://www.scan.co.uk/search.aspx?q=...44+66075+66076

Not going to do price comparisons with US sites, but they seem to be roughly the same (give or take a dollar, pound or Euro...)

(although I thinks it's a bit dodgy to charge next day delivery for a digital download and e-mailed key...)

[ZaO]

Looks like Scan in the UK.

http://www.scan.co.uk/search.aspx?q=...44+66075+66076

Not going to do price comparisons with US sites, but they seem to be roughly the same (give or take a dollar, pound or Euro...)

(although I thinks it's a bit dodgy to charge next day delivery for a digital download and e-mailed key...)

Weird, I just posted in the Scan section of the forum before seeing your reply None of them on there say they have a Retail licence. I'm thinking that the ones that don't say they're OEM are Retail licences. I think Retail versions also include both 32 and 64 bit. But, I just want to be really sure before I buy anything. I really don't want to end up with an OEM licence :/ Novatech have clearly stated which ones are OEM or Retail on their site, so I might buy from there if I can't confirm what other sites are selling.

And yeh, I don't agree with them charging you delivery just for an email. Maybe they don't actually charge and the postage price is just there by default. I think I'd get free postage anyway so I guess it doesn't matter to me..

Cheers.

[GoNz0]

once you do the free upgrade you can then get the iSO and wipe the drive & install without a key, it checks MS's activation server for your hardware ID and will activate (just done it tonight) so all is good.

The ISO's will be out in a few days but I couldn't wait and downloaded and converted an ESD to ISO straight from MS as they are now online.

[ZaO]

once you do the free upgrade you can then get the iSO and wipe the drive & install without a key, it checks MS's activation server for your hardware ID and will activate (just done it tonight) so all is good.

The ISO's will be out in a few days but I couldn't wait and downloaded and converted an ESD to ISO straight from MS as they are now online.

I know about that, but I'm just looking to buy a Retail copy... Thanks.

[ChinesePate]

I don't think you will be able to be honest

[ZaO]

I don't think you will be able to be honest

Yeh it's still confusing! W10 has caused way too much confusion...

Have a look at Scan's reply to my post here: http://forums.hexus.net/scan-care-he...ml#post3506051

I don't know what to think now!

Edit: Novatech got back to me when I asked about the retail licence of W10 they're selling. They said " Unfortunately we do not have the full details of Windows 10 at the current moment in time as Microsoft has not fully released the details of all the releases of this OS, due to constant changes being made.". Well, I'm confused! Hopefully we'll find some official answers on this. I need to go looking on the MS forums again..

[GuidoLS]

re: your convo with Scan and manufacturer numbers -

FQC-08788 is the number for the 'full' or retail version of Pro on a USB stick - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-529-_-Product $199USD
KW9-00016 is the home counterpart. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-528-_-Product $119USD

Why Scan and Novatech don't have them and NewEgg and Amazon do makes little to no sense to me.

[ZaO]

re: your convo with Scan and manufacturer numbers -

FQC-08788 is the number for the 'full' or retail version of Pro on a USB stick - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-529-_-Product $199USD
KW9-00016 is the home counterpart. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-528-_-Product $119USD

Why Scan and Novatech don't have them and NewEgg and Amazon do makes little to no sense to me.

So are you saying that there is a version with the retail style licence we're familiar with? I don't know what the hell to buy lol >_<

[GuidoLS]

It's widely reported (as in, everywhere) that Win10 pricing is a duplicate of Win8 pricing. Those prices are also the retail prices for 8/8.1 Pro and Home, respectively, from Microsoft. Obviously, you can get them less expensively through Amazon, etc, but it's MS's retail pricing that matters.

I'm trying to figure out when LEGITIMATE retailers started selling OEM licenses that aren't attached to a machine already. We all know about license key resellers, and we also know that's purely gray area. I can also show you hundreds of images, stamped by MS, saying that OEM software is to be obtained ONLY with the purchase of a new (or authorized refurb shop) PC. Period. Full stop. Been there, done that, was a licensed refurb shop for over a decade. Just because MS hasn't pulled the trigger to kill that particular practice doesn't make it a safe route. Just one people have been able to get away with.

So yes, I'm saying there are retail versions. I've just linked them to you - granted, they're US links, but that kind of makes you wonder, again, what 2 UK retailers are talking about.

[shaithis]

So are you saying that there is a version with the retail style licence we're familiar with? I don't know what the hell to buy lol >_<

I am guessing by the prices that the £158 one is the retail.....it's price is a lot higher and it is missing the OEM moniker.

If it isn't retail, then I have no idea WTH it is.

[ZaO]

It's widely reported (as in, everywhere) that Win10 pricing is a duplicate of Win8 pricing. Those prices are also the retail prices for 8/8.1 Pro and Home, respectively, from Microsoft. Obviously, you can get them less expensively through Amazon, etc, but it's MS's retail pricing that matters.

I'm trying to figure out when LEGITIMATE retailers started selling OEM licenses that aren't attached to a machine already. We all know about license key resellers, and we also know that's purely gray area. I can also show you hundreds of images, stamped by MS, saying that OEM software is to be obtained ONLY with the purchase of a new (or authorized refurb shop) PC. Period. Full stop. Been there, done that, was a licensed refurb shop for over a decade. Just because MS hasn't pulled the trigger to kill that particular practice doesn't make it a safe route. Just one people have been able to get away with.

So yes, I'm saying there are retail versions. I've just linked them to you - granted, they're US links, but that kind of makes you wonder, again, what 2 UK retailers are talking about.

I know the whole OEM thing is a bit of a grey area. I normally buy OEM licences and have been able to reactivate when upgrading motherboards with them. I can probably do the same with W10 OEM, but I just wanted to buy a version with the retail style licence to make sure I wouldn't need to worry about that incase they're stricter on it this time, because the way they handled W8 makes me think they will be.

So yeh, there does seem to be retail versions. But I guess what I'm confused with now, is what does that retail licence actually allow you to do? If it doesn't have the benefit I want over the OEM licence, then I'll just buy OEM!

Thanks.

[GoNz0]

I just found my old laptop with a win 7 pro coa, formatted and installed it on the games PC, activated via phone and am now sat here with an activated win10 pro fresh install

[ZaO]

I just found my old laptop with a win 7 pro coa, formatted and installed it on the games PC, activated via phone and am now sat here with an activated win10 pro fresh install

Nice Any idea if you can upgrade the mobo n stuff or move it to another computer? I mean, I know what you've already managed to do would suggest that may be possible, but you can't be too sure with MS

I would do the upgrade thing myself, but I don't currently have a licence for any version of Windows. What was my W7 licence is now on someone elses computer so I can't use that.. The MS support forums have people saying that when you upgrade to W10 for free, it carries along the same benefits as your previous licence. But I don't actually know if they're correct or not..

I am guessing by the prices that the £158 one is the retail.....it's price is a lot higher and it is missing the OEM moniker.

If it isn't retail, then I have no idea WTH it is.

Yeh. I'm still confused about what's what and what what allows! Haha...

[EndlessWaves]

So yeh, there does seem to be retail versions. But I guess what I'm confused with now, is what does that retail licence actually allow you to do? If it doesn't have the benefit I want over the OEM licence, then I'll just buy OEM!

In (most) previous versions:

OEM can only be installed on a PC you plan to sell and it's then locked to that motherboard (replacement for faults are allowed).

Retail can be installed on your own PC and transferred between PCs.


Windows 8.1 Home's retail box goes for £85 and Microsoft have said prices should be the same for Windows 10.

[ZaO]

In (most) previous versions:

OEM can only be installed on a PC you plan to sell and it's then locked to that motherboard (replacement for faults are allowed).

Retail can be installed on your own PC and transferred between PCs.


Windows 8.1 Home's retail box goes for £85 and Microsoft have said prices should be the same for Windows 10.

I'm still running W7 and I'm familiar with how the licences work on it. I didn't like W8 very much, so didn't switch to it, and I didn't put enough time into reading to properly understand the licences for that..

Right now, it doesn't really seem too clear with W10 licences. I expect there should be some news any day now, so I'll have to hold off buying until it's confirmed!