The situation is that I have ordered an oem copy of Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) but it's going to arrive after my laptop arrives.
However, I have a retail version (which I used for my desktop) and was wondering if I can just use it to install Windows 7 on my laptop and just activate it when my oem copy arrives?
I have searched on Google but with contradictory results so was just wondering if anyone knows for sure? Worst case scenario is that I end up installing Windows 7 twice but obviously I'd rather not do that
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20-07-12, 10:55 #1New Member Reputation: 0
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Can I use an oem serial key with an installation from a retail version?
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20-07-12, 11:04 #2Master Moderator Reputation: 9617
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You can install the retail version on your laptop,just don't activate it & it will be good for 30 days,
but I would recommend you do a clean install with the OEM version when it arrives,
as this will save any problems with activation.
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20-07-12, 11:17 #3New Member Reputation: 0
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that's what I'm trying to avoid, I'd rather just do 1 install if I can
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20-07-12, 11:22 #4Master Moderator Reputation: 9617
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Yes I know,but there could & probably would be problems activating a retail version with an OEM key,that's why I advise doing a clean install.Only takes about 20 minutes,but it's up to you.
Originally Posted by grrrrrowl
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20-07-12, 11:29 #5New Member Reputation: 7
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Shouldn't be any problem activating it to be honest, never had any problems with 7 with any version against key,.
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20-07-12, 12:11 #6Master Moderator Reputation: 9617
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If It does accept the OEM product key,for one thing,technically speaking,you would have an illegal copy of windows installed,according to microsoft eula's.
I've spent a lot of time trying to understand these eula's,probably without much success.
Another thing is that your product ID will be a retail one & your product key an OEM,I believe this could cause problems with activation,if not immediately,at anytime in the future with one windows update or another.But as I said it's up to you.Last edited by vanthus; 20-07-12 at 12:36.
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20-07-12, 12:17 #7Master Reputation: 2408
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retail and oem have different keys, you cant use on on the other. It wont activate.
You dont need to enter a key to install. If you install retail you wont be able to activate it with your oem key.
if i recall correctly.I dont work for PCS anymore, fix it yourself!
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20-07-12, 12:42 #8New Member Reputation: 0
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Cheers chaps, think I'll play it safe and just reinstall when my oem copy arrives
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