OEM vs. Retail
OEM vs. Retail
You're facing a situation where the official Windows 8.1 from the manufacturer isn't available for a long time, but a retail version exists. You're curious about using it on a system that hasn't had Windows before and wondering if alternative methods are needed. Let me know if you'd like help exploring options!
This link leads to a discussion on Reddit about Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows.
An OEM Windows edition is connected to a particular motherboard and processor. Swapping either component requires buying a new Windows install. A retail version claims association with a specific user or group and can be used without buying again if you modify these settings, or simply replace the hardware and install on another system.