oem license

Most Windows 10 users who meet Windows 11’s hardware rules can upgrade and keep their existing license — the process is usually automated, free, and handled by Microsoft’s activation servers — but there are important caveats: license type (retail vs. OEM), major hardware swaps (especially the...

Microsoft’s long-standing upgrade loophole — where old Windows 7 and 8 product keys could be used to activate newer Windows installations — has officially been closed, and the implications ripple from consumers building DIY PCs to IT managers planning migrations. Microsoft confirmed the move to...

The Windows operating system has been at the heart of the PC experience for decades, shaping everything from how businesses work to how individuals play, create, and connect. As the tech world buzzes with AI-infused tools and ever-evolving security needs, many users find themselves confronted...

Bagging a software bargain has long been a rite of passage for savvy PC users, but in 2025, the stakes and opportunities have rarely been higher. As the software industry continues its relentless pivot from one-time purchases to recurring subscriptions, a new wave of lifetime-license deals...

With businesses across industries accelerating their digital transformation initiatives, the role of modern server operating systems has never been more significant. Windows Server 2022 Standard OEM 16 Core Additional POS License represents one of Microsoft’s most robust offerings in the...

As Microsoft edges closer to ending support for Windows 10, a compelling opportunity has surfaced for those yet to make the leap to Windows 11. A growing number of promotions, most notably the widely-circulated $14.97 deal for a Windows 11 Pro license—down from the official $199 MSRP—have...

In recent months, several online platforms have advertised Microsoft Windows 11 Pro licenses at significantly reduced prices, some as low as A$23. These offers, often labeled as "lifetime licenses," have attracted considerable attention from consumers seeking cost-effective ways to upgrade their...

In the digital age, acquiring software licenses, particularly for operating systems like Windows 11 Pro, has become a nuanced endeavor. The [H]ard|Forum, a well-regarded community for tech enthusiasts, frequently features discussions where members seek to purchase (WTB: Want To Buy) Windows 11...

In a somewhat eye-popping deal, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is being offered for just $17.97. As highlighted on Techdirt, this daily discount presents an opportunity for users who might be contemplating an upgrade or a fresh installation of Windows 11 Pro on their devices. But let's unpack why this...

Introduction In a recent article from PCWorld titled How to Get Windows 11 Cheap (or Even for Free), author Alaina Yee dives into the murky waters of Windows licensing to unveil some savvy strategies for snagging Microsoft's latest operating system at a fraction of its retail cost—or even free...

Hi everybody, I am writing this in a hope that someone here can help me, as Microsoft helpdesk and OEM reseller are just jer.ing me around. So, this is how it begins... I bought part to assemble my home PC, and on g2play I bought cheap win 8.1 pro OEM x32/x64 license key. After PC assembly...

I have a boxed retail copy of Windows 7. The retail license allows me to use it on one computer at a time but I can also wipe a computer and install it on another as long as its only ever used on 1 at a time. I paid the extra for a retail copy rather than an OEM copy which is locked to one PC...

Hi, A year ago I purchased an SSD and Windows 8 for my old pc and it's been running fine. Now however, I'm going to build a new PC, and I want to move Windows 8 back to my old HDD (it was an upgrade on Windows 7 OEM, so I can't move it across to my new PC). How do I go about this? Thanks in...

After a Windows 7 Update of an optional hardware driver earlier this week I've been having Windows Genuine Validation problems. I did a System Restore to prior to the update installation and now I keep getting Windows Validation errors. When I run the WindowsActivationUpdate.exe I get the...

Preface: I'm building my own computer from scratch after having headaches with my current one (a Dell) for about 4 years. Seeing since it's come from Dell, they've saved me the pain of installing Windows 7 myself, and have also handily provided me with a sticker that displays Proof of License...

Hey guys - new to the boards but hope you can help! I currently am running a Gigabyte motherboard and a AMD PII X4 970 CPU. Based on gaming performance, I'm looking to make the switch to Intel (I guess that gamble of waiting for bull/piledriver to blow me away didn't pay off :razz:) Anyways...

preface, i am fairly competant with this stuff. with win 95, 98, and xp i could boot into DOS and use commands to overwrite files and get problems fixed. but can't do that any longer.... i have an Link Removed and the only thing after market as of now (i jerked out a lot of stuff) on the MoBo...

I looked through the other posts, and I tried everything. Ok so this has been bugging me for a while, I have a Gateway computer with windows 7 pre-installed on it. Then one day when I turn on my computer I get this message that says I am not running a genuine windows 7. At first it didn't...

Question? Can anyone purchace, and use a Microsoft OEM System Builder License? Instead of building a system for someone (customer), and do it for your self? Reason why I ask is because NewEgg has Win 7 System Bulder OS's for cheaper than regular. Why can't I purchase that if I wanted and build a...