Windows 7 OEM
Windows 7 OEM
It seems you're asking if changing your computer's motherboard or hard drive means you'll need a different version of Windows. That's not necessarily true—your operating system stays the same regardless of hardware upgrades.
Generally it's true, but often not. Microsoft understands users upgrade their hardware and supports us. Sometimes the fix happens immediately after replacing a motherboard, other times you need to contact them and clarify the issue. About 99% of the time they assist and let you confirm your setup with them. @ ckit 99% of the time you don't.
I don't think so; I upgraded my HDD to an SSD and installed Windows on the SSD, and it functioned properly.
Microsoft records your main parts in their system to stop piracy and ensure only one copy is used at a time. Your motherboard and CPU are linked to your key. If you swap components, it doesn’t match the registered data and fails verification. Usually, just explaining the issue or saying your board failed and you replaced it helps get reactivation approved about 99% of the time.
Original equipment manufacturer essentially means a one-time copy, you can't reuse the key across multiple systems like with a full license. Usually OEM builds work well since you're not installing Windows on different machines. This can create issues (occasionally) for people who frequently upgrade and wish to extend their Windows installation. With a complete Windows version, you could apply the same key on various devices as long as they aren't all registered simultaneously. This often allows for longer usage of your chosen version, making a full license preferable. In reality, most users avoid upgrading too often and keep their systems intact. This is why Microsoft allows reusing OEM keys during upgrades.
No... there are two kind of OEM copys. Branded ones are usually bound to one mobo and can't be used. There's always chance that they will work without problems. I've heard people claim so. Non-branded OEMs can be used with another mobo without any problems. I've done that with 2 licenses now.