Is the only real difference between an OEM CD, a Retail CD, and a Volume Licensor CD the license code it will accept? Is it the case that you need an OEM CD to re-install Windows on a machine? Is it ethical, but not strictly legal, to use a retail CD, and use the code on the sticker on the machine (and will the anti-piracy measures in Windows, including Windows Genuine Advantage, reject it)? Can you use an OEM CD for a different computer, provided it is the same edition of Windows? Can I re-install Windows (without paying for another license) on a machine that has a restore partition without using the restore partition? Does one have any recourse if they are licensed to use the software but do not have an installation disc? Is downloading the disc any different than borrowing one ? Volume Licensor CDs (where a large organization uses the same serial code for every machine they install Windows on).OEM CDs, which were shipped to you by the computer manufacturer in bygone times (but nowadays you are more likely to have a restore partition).Retail CDs, either stand-alone or upgrade disks.Windows installation media come in (at least) three types: This is where things get a little hazy for me: Īnyways, it appears that there are some subtleties here, and I wanted to know what is legal, what is ethical (if it differs), and if the technology gets in the way of allowing me to do what is legal and/or ethical.Īny computer that has a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity sticker for a particular version of Windows is licensed to run said version of Windows, and it may be re-installed on the computer. My thought was that if a computer has a Windows XP Pro COA sticker on it, then I'm allowed to (re-)install Windows XP Pro on it. (See my related question on an easy way to do so.) I want to do things in a legal and ethical manner. I've come by some older laptops and want to re-install windows on them. It is not currently accepting new answers or interactions.Ĭan you help me with my software licensing question? This question and its answers are locked because the question is off-topic but has historical significance.

Windows 10 pro sticker oem