Hey everyone,
What do you all use for a N+P? OEM Windows Disks? The built in system restore on many PCs? I've always used the OEM Windows disks and used the key that's (usually) located on their computer, but I read somewhere that this is very illegal.
Please advise. Thanks!
My understanding thus far is:
--- WINDOWS XP retail discs can ONLY use retail keys.
A Windows XP OEM system (e.g. HP) can ONLY USE a Windows XP OEM disc ->
Either generic (system builders version) OR a branded RECOVERY disc (HP/DELL ETC) that matches the system's brand (e.g. HP recovery disc + HP system)
-- because specific manufacturer's recovery discs are LOCKED to their BIOS.
Some use the 9-in-1 XP ISO that contains all the OEM, generic editions of Windows XP,
which would mean you'd only need 1 single CD to reinstall ANY OEM version of XP.
I have yet to use it, but hear it works great and there's no problems with using it.
Here's where things get different and BETTER:
--- WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE -retail- can use EITHER retail OR OEM product keys.
It gives you the option to install Vista Starter all the way up to Ultimate and everything in between.
You would only need a 32 and 64 bit version to install Vista on any machine.
--- Windows 7 (any edition) -retail- can accept BOTH retail and OEM product keys
just like Windows Vista retail.
It can also work like Vista Ultimate BUT -> You will need to use the ei.cfg removal utility to turn it into a UNIVERSAL disc just like Vista Ultimate.....
ALSO -> You don't need Win 7 Ultimate. Any edition will do BECAUSE every Windows 7 disc includes ALL EDITIONS to make the
Anytime Upgrade easier and faster. You will only need a 32 bit and a 64 bit version.
Create Windows 7 Universal ISO With All Editions Selection On Install with ei.cfg Removal Utility/
PERSONALLY -> I love using the generic discs over the recovery discs because they install faster and don't have all the
bloatware that comes with the PC. You may want to ask your customer's what they'd prefer.
Let them know that the generic disc will not include the extra software that came with their computer from the manufacturer.
If you use generic discs to reinstall Windows you will want to backup the drivers mostly for older machines
because you may not be able to find them anymore. You can do this with the Double Driver utility program
that comes in a portable version and is included with UBCD4Win.
It is LEGAL to use the customer's product key that is on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker
on the computer WITH the recovery discs/partition that came with the computer. Absolutely 100% legal.
It's also legal to use their product key with the retail discs for Win Vista + 7
AS LONG AS THE EDITION OF WINDOWS THAT YOU INSTALL (e.g. Home Premium) matches the edition
that the PRODUCT KEY goes with. Microsoft says you are supposed to only use the recovery discs,
but they DO accept this method of reinstalling Windows as well.
BOTTOM LINE: If Microsoft accepts and activates Windows with the product key you used than it is legal because Microsoft accepted it.
