Been a bit confused in my searches atm. So far, I've got my new rig set up and running but I need to activate Win10. It's on an ASUS Prime B250 ATX Plus MOBO, and I have heard bits and pieces about OEM vs. Retail. I understand that Pro has more features and can be installed multiple times, but what exactly is the consequence of installing an OEM key on my MOBO? I hear people say it "locks" to your motherboard, but I'm not entirely sure what that means. I don't mind if the key I use is a one time one, I just don't want my MOBO ruined or restricted in case I want to do a fresh install of a newer OS. Will an OEM key restrict me from installing any future OS releases by Windows or from doing a fresh install of Win7 should I be interested? I'm just not really clued in on this, I educated myself on the build and such but never gave this much thought until it cropped up, and I don't want this build squandered or ruined by a mistake that will limit my opportunities down the line, since this build ought to last me a few years I'm hoping.
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An OEM key is now, and always has been, "locked" to the mobo. This does not mean that there is a physical aspect. NOTHING physically happens to your board. It is a digital thing - and the how may not be relevant here. No, an OEM key will not restrict you in any way as it pertains to that particular mobo.
If your OEM key is Home, you can upgrade to Pro.
"I understand that Pro has more features and can be installed multiple times"
Incorrect. Pro refers to a feature set, not the ability to install multiple times.
RETAIL keys can be installed on ONE machine at a time, multiple times.
In theory, there are no future releases of Windows. Windows 10 is a service. You can upgrade the service from Home to Pro to Workstation to Enterprise.
Windows 10 Workstation was once known as Windows 10 Pro, but MS removed/modified four features from Pro. More info here.
Windows 7 Ultimate/Pro/Business will only upgrade to Windows 10 Home or Pro - not Windows 10 Workstation or Enterprise.
Worthy of note:
There is no functional penalty in running an unactivated copy of Windows 10. There is a watermark and an occasional nag. You can even personalize an unactivated install.
I do not know if PCHelpForum allows discussion of this topic.
Also worthy of note:
Some users still qualify for a free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. You must claim and warrant that you are a a user of 'assistive technology' to qualify for the free upgrade. Such claim and warrant is performed by clicking an 'agree' button.
This is possible:
Install and activate Windows 7 - using the highest grade license you have (Home, Pro, Ultimate). It does not matter if it is OEM or Retail as long as MS will activate the install.
Online upgrade to Windows 10 (using assistive tech link, if qualified, otherwise pay).
Sign into Windows 10 using the email login. Activate Windows 10.
That PC is now 'locked' to the valid Windows 10 license. The PC Settings / Activation will show "This PC is activated with a digital license".
Wipe that entire install out by performing a clean install of Windows 10. Skip all prompts to enter a license. It will automatically activate.
If your OEM key is Home, you can upgrade to Pro.
"I understand that Pro has more features and can be installed multiple times"
Incorrect. Pro refers to a feature set, not the ability to install multiple times.
RETAIL keys can be installed on ONE machine at a time, multiple times.
In theory, there are no future releases of Windows. Windows 10 is a service. You can upgrade the service from Home to Pro to Workstation to Enterprise.
Windows 10 Workstation was once known as Windows 10 Pro, but MS removed/modified four features from Pro. More info here.
Windows 7 Ultimate/Pro/Business will only upgrade to Windows 10 Home or Pro - not Windows 10 Workstation or Enterprise.
Worthy of note:
There is no functional penalty in running an unactivated copy of Windows 10. There is a watermark and an occasional nag. You can even personalize an unactivated install.
I do not know if PCHelpForum allows discussion of this topic.
Also worthy of note:
Some users still qualify for a free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. You must claim and warrant that you are a a user of 'assistive technology' to qualify for the free upgrade. Such claim and warrant is performed by clicking an 'agree' button.
This is possible:
Install and activate Windows 7 - using the highest grade license you have (Home, Pro, Ultimate). It does not matter if it is OEM or Retail as long as MS will activate the install.
Online upgrade to Windows 10 (using assistive tech link, if qualified, otherwise pay).
Sign into Windows 10 using the email login. Activate Windows 10.
That PC is now 'locked' to the valid Windows 10 license. The PC Settings / Activation will show "This PC is activated with a digital license".
Wipe that entire install out by performing a clean install of Windows 10. Skip all prompts to enter a license. It will automatically activate.
Thank you for the response. Based on what you've said, I've decided that since I was incorrect and quite frankly just confused about the MOBO in relation to the OS, I'll be purchasing an OEM key. This is a custom build anyways so I never anticipated the need for Windows support which so many said I would benefit from with Retail. I have no use in reinstalling multiple times, it would seem, so I think OEM is the right choice for me. Once again, thanks for the response and the corrections.
Since this thread started, I've done a fresh install of Win 10 Pro on my SSD and reallocated the entire HDD for storage. Windows is yet to be activated though because the code I was sold was an MSDN that got used in excess of it's limit, so I messaged the retailer for a replacement. However, at the time of writing this it is Sunday, and the retailer isn't open until Monday, so I'm awaiting a replacement code for activation.
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