Windows 10: Is Windows 10 OEM allowed for system builders?

Lets say I want to build my own system, can I buy Windows 10 OEM and use it legally?

I know that Windows 8 OEM introduced this allowance, but 8.1 OEM got rid of it.

So, what's the score with Win10 OEM?

:)

 

Is it possible for OEMs to provide customers upgrade from WES7 32-bit to Win10 IoT Ent CBB 64-bit?

I would like to know if it is possible and allowed by Microsoft for an OEM that has shipped products to its customers that contain pre-installed Windows Embedded Standard 7 WS7P operating system to provide those customers with the ability to upgrade those
systems to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise CBB 64-bit without shipping them a new drive with Win10 pre-installed or returning the systems to the OEM's factory for upgrade.

Is it possible for the OEM's customers to do this right on the system that has WES7 32-bit and upgrade to Win10 IoT Enterprise CBB 64-bit?

Is this allowed by Microsoft for OEMs to provide this to their customers?

Thanks.

 

Windows 10 OEM for company use

No, you don't need to register as a System Builder to use Windows 10 OEM. Perfectly fine. Do understand the limitations of the OEM System Builder license though.

OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

 

Windows system builder licensing for personal use


Build a custom system for me and I will buy it from you for $1. Then I will sell it back to you for $5. We both win.

 

It's the same as for 8.1.

Windows licensing and packaging


(The System Builder license is intended only for systems intended for resale. Further, Win 10 is supposed to be set up with a particular out of box experience, where the OS is installed, but the buyer sets it up on first use.)

As far as I know, there is no enforcement of this.

I have only purchased a System Builder license once (for Win 7). I didn't use the OPK to install it, and I didn't sell the system. (I built it to give to a friend.) It has been in use for years.

I can't encourage someone to break an end user license agreement, but if you did, your risk would be about zero.

 

Whether or not it is better to go for the Retail version depends really on how often you update your system.

Personally I'd always go with retail as I change my mobo and CPU every few years.

 

Alright, so in theory one can just buy Windows 8 OEM (since Win8 is cool with system builders), and then upgrade to Windows 10 before end of July, right?

 

That's correct tengeezer. *Smile Not just in theory but in practice too.

However if you decide to upgrade your PC with say a new motherboard and cpu you would probably find that your Windows 10 would not Activate as it's tied to your previous motherboard.

 

Okay, so now the question is, for Windows 8 OEM, what constitutes a "system builder"?

Do I have to buy every PC part individually and build it myself?

Or can I buy a 99% complete PC (without the OS of course), and then simply install a sound card for example to qualify as a "system builder".

 

In order to qualify as a system builder you must assemble at least 100 computers per year from individual components. No, I'm just kidding! I wouldn't worry at all about how many components you have to assemble to be a system builder. I don't think Microsoft defines that anywhere. To me, the last step of building a computer system is to install the OS and make sure it all works.

 

Hehe, you had me there for a second.

Yep, this is what I was thinking as well.

Now the problem is, where can I buy Windows 8 OEM from? Almost impossible to find, apart from some unheard of sites which could be dodgy.

 

Well, I admire your efforts to keep everything 100% absolutely legal. Personally, though, I would just purchase a full retail of Windows 10 and not have to worry about transferring it to an upgraded computer in the next few decades. That's what I already have planned to do for the next custom computer I build for myself after July 29. I just built mine about 2 months ago, but I had a retail Windows 7 that I could install on it and then upgrade to Windows 10. That retail Windows 7 was a family 3 pack license that I purchased in 2009 and it's been on so many computers over the years that Microsoft won't activate it online any longer and I have to call them to activate it. But, as of two months ago, it's still going strong. That license is the basis for the 3 non-OEM Windows 10 I have on three computers at my house. It's just one product key for the three licenses and apparently Microsoft does not differentiate between the single install and the family 3 pack product keys for Windows 7.

Windows 7 Family Pack | eBay

 

Two vendors I trust:
Newegg: OS page
-- and --
B&H: OS page
You won't save any money - they figured out what people were doing - cheap Win7 / Win8 - upgrade to Win10 ... so they raised the price on 7 & 8 to match 10

It's worth the extra 50 or 60 bucks for a retail license.

 

Well, if I can find a cheap Win8 OEM, I'm cool with that.

What do you think of this? Is it legit?

http://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/listi...very/274718566

 

Don't know anything about Bonaza, except it's like Amazon and eBay where people can set up stores.

You might read over the Bonanza buyer protection page: Shop with Confidence - Bonanza

The seller, Tech Emporium, accepts returns up to 30 days ... but I know nothing about Tech Emporium

In the end, it does seem to be a great deal, but only you can decide if a cheap price + hassles are worth it.
Many low priced sellers aren't trustworthy and who knows what you get for £38.16. Some might put the Windows 10 ISO on a thumbdrive and hope you don't notice there is no key to install.

It's your call tengeezer.