What is the difference between a Windows Product Key obtained via Pre-Installed (OEM) and Non-Pre-Installed (RETAIL) ?

Hello.

I have been battling with this question time and again:

What is the DIFFERENCE between Windows 7 PRODUCT KEYS (25 Alpha-Numeric digits) 

which come with a PRE-INSTALLED Windows (OEM with a Factory Restore Partition)

and a NON PRE-INSTALLED Windows RETAIL (NON OEM which DOES NOT COME WITH A FACTORY RESTORE PARTITION) ?

Say, although I loose my OEM Guarantee BY:

COMPLETELY FORMATTING MY HARD DRIVE NOT VIA THE FULL FACTORY RESTORE OPTION

(Through the Restore PARTITION)

Can I RE-INSTALL Windows (ON THE SAME COMPUTER !) with my OEM PRODUCT's PRODUCT KEY

Still being VALID and Recognized by Microsoft ? !

IN OTHER WORDS,

HAVE I NOT ONLY FORFEITED THE OEM GUARANTEE BUT ALSO THE MICROSOFT PRODUCT LICENSE  ? ! !

Please Help.

Thank You very much indeed.

D.Z.

The Recovery partition is the Manufacturers method to reinstall the operating system, for which it automatically activates.

You can download the exact same Windows 7 ISO and use the product key that is on the COA sticker.

You normally have to then do a phone activation.

You don't void your license

If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) , that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.

The OEM License/Product Key (preinstalled Operating Systems on Dell, HP, etc machines) is tied to the first machine it is installed on and dies when that machine dies.

The above rule also applies to OEM System Builders Licenses.

Retail Operating System License, that you buy and install yourself, are allowed to be transferred to another machine.

But Retail Licenses can also only be installed on one machine at any particular time.

You can not replace the Motherboard with an OEM preinstalled License with whatever Motherboard you wish to when you have a preinstalled OEM License (HP, Acer, etc)

.

You have to follow the directives or you void your OEM License.

This was the original link. Microsoft is altering/deleting links, but the information that was originally there remains the same (I copied it before the link disappeared)

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en-gb/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing\_faq.aspx#fbid=iePP5a9JaWJ

Q. If my customer asks me to upgrade a PC with new hardware components, when is a new operating system needed? When would the PC be considered "new"?

A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the licence for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the licence of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

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Mr. Smithers, thank you for your detailed reply.

Sir, I have purchased:

Windows 7 - All edition in 1 USB Drive 64 & 32 Bit Install/Upgrade/Repair Multi Bootable USB [USB Memory Stick]

It will completely format my hard drive and I do not want to RE-CREATE a Disk Image as I have backed up all my data

on EXTERNAL hard drives.

Why did you purchase anything?

These are all the different ways to reinstall 7:

If it came preinstalled:

Here are the Key/s to press at Boot to reinstall the operating system (new condition). Under each Manufacturer in the list below are the instructions in the respective links for you to follow on how to use their Recovery Partition

Acer – Press Left Alt + F10 Keys.

http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/2631

Advent – Tap F10 until Starting System Recovery appears

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081221054701AAJT8YV

Asus – Press F9

http://support.asus.com/Troubleshooting/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=X53E&os=&no=1775

Dell – Press F8 which will bring up Advanced Boot Options

How to restore a Windows 7 Factory Image on your Dell PC | Dell US

Dell Alienware:

What is and How to use AlienRespawn

eMachines: Press Left Alt Key + F10

http://techchannel.radioshack.com/emachines-system-recovery-1747.html

Fujitsu – Press F8

https://forum.ts.fujitsu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=39428

http://support.ts.fujitsu.com/WDB/FAQContentstart.asp?ID=233412526&WDBStatID=&INFO=SA&quest=&Sprache=en&SprachID=&SecID=&lng=COM&Todo=FAQ

Gateway: Press Alt + F10 Keys - As Acer owns them: press Left Alt + F10 Keys as per Acer eRecovery

http://www.ehow.com/how\_6960920\_restore-computer-using-recovery-partitiion.html

HP – Press F11 repeatedly

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01867418#AbT3

Lenovo – Press F11

http://support.lenovo.com/en\_US/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-4M7HWZ

LG – Press F11

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090304161820AAiyvMn

Packard Bell: Press and hold the ALT key while pressing repeatedly the F10 key. Release the keys when a message displays that Windows is loading files.

http://packard-bell-scandic.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/3068/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDA2MjgyMjczL3NpZC90Z205SDktbA%3D%3D/~/use-packard-bell-recovery-management-to-restore-your-system-or-create-recovery

Samsung – Press F4

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000137/6375/93514

Sony Vaio – Tap F10 until the Edit Boot Options screen is displayed

https://ca.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/35585/p/48903,49902,71663,71664/c/65,67/kw/recovery%20using%20f10

Toshiba – Press 0 (zero)

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/System-Recovery-and-Recovery/How-To-Perform-system-recovery-Windows-7/ta-p/279643

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If preinstalled, you can also contact your Laptop/Computer Manufacturer and ask them to send you a set of Recovery Disks.

They should do that for a small cost, IF they still have them available (Most don't).

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And if you do have a Manufacturer's Recovery Partition on your Hard Drive and you can Boot into Windows, you should be able to make and have your own Recovery Disks from it to reinstall the Operating System in case of Hard Drive failure.

Look under Programs > your Computer Manufacturer's name > then their System Tools or Recovery Software Headings for them, depending how it is worded.

If you can not find any reference to it, contact the Manufacturer for advice on how to make those Recovery Disks.

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You can borrow the exact same edition of Windows 7 Retail DVD and use your Product Key on the COA sticker to reinstall the operating system.

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Or you can use this for preinstalled OEM or Retail Licenses

Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

Download: Windows ISO Downloader.exe

Version: 6.00

Release Date: 11 April 2018

Requirements: Windows 7 or newer, .NET Framework 4.x, Internet Explorer 8 or newer.

Important: As of Version 6.00, we're adding back an experimental feature to generate links for Windows 7 and Office 2010. Generation of new links for these products is throttled, and not every download is always available in every language. New links are generated on a first come first served basis, with users who enable the idle resource donation getting preferential treatment. If you have further questions, please use theWinCert Forum to get in touch, so that other users can also benefit from the discussion.

And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html

You change the Boot Order in the BIOS to be able to boot from your installation media:

How to Boot Your Computer From a Disc or USB Drive

Then do a clean install:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

If it does require phone Activation, do not follow the Auto Prompts, but hold on for a real person to explain to as to what has been done for re-installation purposes

"How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

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Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

"How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

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And this is very good and easy to use:

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Cheers.

Mr. Smithers, thank you for your detailed reply.

Sir, I have purchased:

Windows 7 - All edition in 1 USB Drive 64 & 32 Bit Install/Upgrade/Repair Multi Bootable USB [USB Memory Stick]

It will completely format my hard drive and I do not want to RE-CREATE a Disk Image as I have backed up all my data

on EXTERNAL hard drives.

I understand the following:

If everything goes well then:

A )

My system will Reboot via the Flash Drive and then Perform a CLEAN Hard Drive FORMATTING.

(it will probably format also the OEM's Restore Partition...)

B )

Following the Formatting,

the Install Flash Memory Stick will RE-INSTALL my Windows 7 O.S. and its relevant Bit version.

C )

Following this I will obviously be prompted to enter my OEM PRODUCT KEY LICENSE.

What Will then happen ? :

You noted VERY CAREFULLY Sir that:

'You NORMALLY have to then do a phone activation'

Is this indeed going be the case or might something else pop up ?

What unfortunate incident may occur please ?

You say NORMALLY,

What ARE THE RISK FACTORS / EXCEPTIONS ?

Please note that (as I have already explained)

I am using the SAME HARDWARE (Computer).

Kindly, Please Enlarge on the RE-activation RISK FACTORS involved,

Thank You Very Much Indeed,

D.Z.