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Activate Retail version with OEM key?

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  #1 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Gordon
Default Activate Retail version with OEM key?
I'm having an argument on the Windows 7 forums with someone who is insisting
that it is possible to install and activate a RETAIL copy of Windows 7 using
an OEM Product key.
Is this possible?
Has it EVER been possible? Either in XP or Vista?
If it IS possible, does anyone have an MS page that says this is possible?


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  #2 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
DL
Default
The key is specific to the version of win
A generic MS oem key may work but a maker specific oem key wont

“
Originally Posted by Gordon
I'm having an argument on the Windows 7 forums with someone who is
insisting that it is possible to install and activate a RETAIL copy of
Windows 7 using an OEM Product key.
Is this possible?
Has it EVER been possible? Either in XP or Vista?
If it IS possible, does anyone have an MS page that says this is possible?
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Daave
Default
“ I'm having an argument on the Windows 7 forums with someone who is
insisting that it is possible to install and activate a RETAIL copy
of Windows 7 using an OEM Product key.
Is this possible?
Has it EVER been possible? Either in XP or Vista?
If it IS possible, does anyone have an MS page that says this is
possible?
Although it's not possible, it *is* possible to use a Retail CD and
create an OEM CD out of it, using this method:

http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html

Then simply use the OEM CD with the OEM Product Key.

(Of course, per the EULA, you are only permitted to do this on the same
PC.)
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  #4 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Gordon
Default
“ Although it's not possible, it *is* possible to use a Retail CD and
create an OEM CD out of it,
Thanks. That's not what the argument is about - it's about installing
from a RETAIL DVD and then activating it using an OEM product key, which
I maintain is impossible.
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  #5 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Daave
Default
“
Thanks. That's not what the argument is about - it's about installing
from a RETAIL DVD and then activating it using an OEM product key,
which I maintain is impossible.
You are correct. The type of key needs to match the type of OS
installation. So one would need a retail key for a retail disk.

But using my example above, you can certainly activate using an OEM key.
Of course, you would be using an OEM installation disk, too. :-)
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  #6 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Leroy
Default
Yes, you can activate a Windows 7 Retail installation with a Windows 7
OEM product key as long as it is for the same edition.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...3-37a728f0263f


“
Originally Posted by Gordon
Thanks. That's not what the argument is about - it's about installing
from a RETAIL DVD and then activating it using an OEM product key, which
I maintain is impossible.
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  #7 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Gordon
Default
“ Yes, you can activate a Windows 7 Retail installation with a Windows 7
OEM product key as long as it is for the same edition.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...3-37a728f0263f
Hmmm. NO mention of activating a RETAIL install using an OEM product
key. At least if there is I didn't see it....
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  #8 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:43 PM
Leroy
Default
I have personally installed Windows Vista on an HP PC using a retail DVD
(did not enter product key during setup) and then entered a HP OEM
Windows Vista product key and it was accepted. However, product
activation can only be accomplished by "activating by phone" which takes
about 5 minutes.

Same procedure should also work with Windows 7.

“
Originally Posted by Gordon
Hmmm. NO mention of activating a RETAIL install using an OEM product
key. At least if there is I didn't see it....
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  #9 (permalink)  
03-14-2010, 04:44 PM
Daave
Default
“
Although it's not possible, it *is* possible to use a Retail CD and
create an OEM CD out of it, using this method:

http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html

Then simply use the OEM CD with the OEM Product Key.

(Of course, per the EULA, you are only permitted to do this on the
same PC.)
Addendu:

I'm not too familiar with Vista, but I know you can't enter the wrong
kind of key with XP.
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