• Change Windows 10 Oem To Retail
• Windows 10 Oem Retail
• Windows Oem Key
• Change Windows Oem To Retail Location

Summary :

I've seen this question asked before, but I couldn't find the proper answer I was looking for in the thread. Is it possible to upgrade from an OEM copy of Windows 10 to a full Retail version, whilst retaining all of the data from the previous install. So if I were to buy a proper Retail. By using a P2V It's a breach of the Microsoft OEM Licensing Agreement to transfer OEM licenses. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) versions Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Do you know the differences between Windows OEM license and Retail license? If not, you can read this post, in which MiniTool shows you their differences. In addition, it also shows you how to transfer the Windows 10 license to another PC.

Windows Licenses: OEM, Retail, Volume, and MSDN

Microsoft has stopped its support for Windows 7 and Windows 10 becomes the first system choice for Windows users to install on their PCs. When it comes to Windows 10 installation, Windows 10 license is a problem that cannot be avoided.

Types of Windows 10 License

Microsoft offers Windows 10 licenses in many channels governed by different rules. Many of you may be confused about Windows 10 OEM vs Retail. In this part, I will explain Windows 10 licenses to you, including Windows 10 Retail, Windows 10 OEM, Windows 10 Volume, etc.

1. Windows Retail License (also called Full Packaged Product)

A Windows 10 Retail license refers to the license that you acquire when purchasing a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft store or an authorized retailer. If you have a Windows 10 Retail license, you can transfer it to another computer, as long as you deactivate the old device. There is no limit on hardware.

Change Windows 10 Oem To Retail

2. Windows OEM License

OEM is short for Original Equipment Manufacturer. When original equipment manufacturers produce computers, they always pre-install OEM Windows before selling them. When you buy these PCs, you will get a Windows OEM license and don't need to pay extra money.

It seems that the Windows 10 OEM license does not cost you money, but actually its cost is already included in the computer cost. Despite this, it is still cheaper than Windows 10 Retail license.

The Windows 10 OEM license is customized for OEM Windows 10 users. Once it is first activated in the OEM PC, it is locked to the hardware. The product key isn't transferable and you can't use it to activate another installation.

3. Windows Volume License

A Volume license is designed for a large business, education, and government scenario. Usually, a Volume license allows organizations to use one master product key to activate multiple computers without having to enter a different key for each computer.

You can use this license multiple times on different computers, but you can't transfer it with the device when the system changes ownership, and you're not allowed to activate devices that aren't part of the organization.

4. Windows MSDN License

MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) is an early service provided by Microsoft specifically for developers. Companies and people who develop software using Microsoft technology can use MSDN license by subscribing it.

Then, they can install and use copies of the Windows to design, develop, test, and demonstrate the program, but they must not use the software on a device or server in a production environment.

In a word, the MSDN license cannot be used for commercial purposes. It cannot be authorized to other users without Microsoft's permission.

This article introduces many solutions to the error message “Your Windows license will expire soon” in detail. You can try them if you ran into this issue.

Windows 10 OEM vs Retail: Which One Should I Use

For most users, they can only acquire a Windows 10 license through the Retail or Original Equipment Manufacturer channel. As a general user, you may wonder which license you should choose. In terms of Windows 10 OEM vs Retail, I will explain them from the following aspects:

1. Features: In use, there is no difference at all between OEM Windows 10 and Retail Windows 10. Both they are full versions of the operating system. You can enjoy all the features, updates, and functionality that you would expect from Windows.
2. System Upgrade: Whether you are running Windows OEM version or Windows Retail (FPP) version, you can upgrade your system to Windows 10 as long as you have a Windows 10 license. Although the free upgrade has already been terminated, some users report they can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free via Media Creation Tool.
3. Hardware Replacement: If you have a Windows 10 FPP license, you can replace any part of your PC freely and your computer can be activated still. However, if you have a Windows 10 OEM license, you can only replace any part of computer except the motherboard, because the Software Licensing Internal Code (SLIC) is stored in BIOS. If SLIC is missing, the OEM Windows can't be activated.
4. License Transfer: You can transfer a Windows 10 Retail license to another PC while you cannot transfer a Windows 10 OEM license to another PC, because the motherboard has been changed.
5. Cost: Microsoft charges $139 for the Windows 10 Home Edition and $199 for Pro. If you buy Windows 10 Retail versions from online shopping websites like eBuyer, Amazon, etc., the price will be slightly lower (but not too much lower). As for an OEM Windows 10 license, it is much cheaper. On Amazon, a Windows 10 Home OEM key costs $85 and the Pro costs $113.
6. Support: If you have a Windows 10 Retail license, you can contact Microsoft Support to get help when you run into problems with hardware compatibility or encounter activation issues. However, if your license is an OEM license, Microsoft will probably tell you to contact the manufacturer of your device.

After knowing about Windows 10 OEM vs Retail, you may have made your decision. But I still hope you can read my suggestions:

1. If your computer is preinstalled with Windows 10 when it's shipped to you, and you have no need of changing the motherboard, please keep this OEM Windows 10.
2. If your computer is built by yourself, or your computer is not preinstalled with Windows 10 when you buy it, I recommend you to buy a Windows 10 Retail license, because this version has more privileges.

Which Kind of License I Use

Sometimes, you may want to know which kind of license you are using. If so, please refer to the following steps:

Step 1: Open a Command Prompt or PowerShell. Then, type in 'Slmgr /dli' or 'slmgr /dlv' and press Enter.

Step 2: Wait a few seconds for the Windows Script Manager to appear and tell you which license type you have.

Transferring Windows 10 Retail License to Another PC

If you get a new PC and you want to transfer a valid Windows 10 license to the new PC, you can do that through the following steps:

Step 1: Deactivate Windows 10 license by uninstalling the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere.

• Press 'Windows + X' keys simultaneously and then click Command Prompt (Admin).
• At the Command Prompt window, enter the following command: 'slmgr /upk'.
• Press Enter. Then, you will see the message 'Uninstalled product key successfully'.

Step 2: Activate the new PC with the previous license.

• After Windows 10 is installed on the new PC, run Command Prompt as administrator.
• Type the following command: 'slmgr /ipk xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx'. Please note that 'xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx' represents the product key.
• Press Enter and the new PC will be activated.

Step 3: Type 'slmgr /dlv' and press Enter to check License Status. If the status is Licensed, it means that the Windows 10 is activated.

Back up Computer Before Hardware Replacement

Sometimes, license transfer may be related to hardware replacement. If you want to replace hardware, please back up computer to an external drive first in case the system or important data is damaged by improper operations during the process of the hardware replacement.

This post shows you how to reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change, including through a digital license and a product key.

If so, you may need the help of MiniTool Partition Wizard, with which you can back up your computer for free. Please refer to the following steps:

Step 1: Connect an external drive to your computer.

Step 2: Click the above button to download MiniTool Partition Wizard for free. Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard and get to its main interface. Then, click Copy Disk Wizard.

Step 3: Select a disk you want to copy and then click Next button. I recommend you to choose the system disk in case your computer can't boot after hardware replacement.

Step 4: Select the external drive as the target disk and then click the Next button. After that, a warning window pops up and tells you 'all the data on the disk will be destroyed'. If it's OK, please click Yes to continue. Otherwise, click No to cancel this operation.

Step 5: Review the changes you have made. If all is OK, click the Next button.

Step 6: Click the Apply button to execute the pending operations.

After backing up your computer, you can replace the hardware. If the Windows 10 cooperate well with the new hardware, then you can activate it with the license.

The annoying Windows activation error is a common problem that could happen to anyone when running a Windows OS.

Bottom Line

Has this post answered you doubts about Windows 10 OEM vs Retail license? Do you have other ideas about them? Please leave a comment below and I will appreciate that. Besides, if you have any difficulty in backing up computer, you can send an email at [email protected] for help. We will reply to you as soon as possible.

Windows 10 OEM vs Retail FAQ

There are 4 differences between Windows 10 OEM and Retail:

1. The Windows 10 Retail license can be transferred to another PC while the Windows 10 OEM license cannot, because it is already locked to one PC.
2. If you replace the motherboard in your PC, the Windows 10 OEM will not work. As for the Windows 10 Retail license, it will not be affected by any hardware replacement.
3. An OEM Windows 10 license is much cheaper than a Windows 10 Retail license.
4. Users who buy a Windows 10 Retail license can get support from Microsoft. However, users who have a Windows 10 OEM license can only get support from the manufacturer of their devices.

Summary: If you are confused and have no idea to choose which Windows license key for your PC then, have a look at this article and know the Windows OEM vs Windows retail difference. This will help you in making a wise decision.

If you owe a Windows 10 operating system then you must have a Windows license key as it activates and verifies the Windows on your PC. In some cases, Windows 10 automatically get activated with a digital license instead of the product key.

Copying Windows 10 from one PC to another requires a product key to activate it. If you have copied Windows 10 from the other computer then you must get the license key for Windows to run on your PC.

Though there are four types of Windows licenses for different requirements such as Windows OEM, Windows retail, Windows volume, and Windows MSDN. If you are not developing any software or working in a large business then you can choose either OEM or retail license.

Go through this article and get to know the difference between OEM and retail Windows 10 and then make a purchase of Windows license for your PC to activate Windows 10.

Also, discover the relevant information regarding Windows 10 OEM and Windows 10 retailversion.

What Does OEM Windows 10 Mean?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a Windows license that is pre-installed on your PC by the companies that manufacture PC. They include a copy of Windows in it so that you can immediately use your PC.

Though this OEM license is pre-installed, users can also buy them if they want to build a gaming PC or have a second-hand system that is either outdated or have no operating system.

Talking about whether to purchase this license or not, you can decide when you go through Windows OEM vs Windows retail difference.

What Is The Retail Version Of Windows 10?

A retail version of Windows 10 is a full packaged product. It is referred to retail license that users buy when they purchase a Windows 10 copy from any retailer store or Microsoft store.

If you have purchased Windows 10 retail license then you can transfer it from one computer to another but not at the same time, one device has to be deactivated plus no limit on the hardware.

Now, that you got to know about Windows 10 OEM and Windows 10 Retail. Let’s the Windows 10 OEM VS retail battle begin.

What Is the Difference Between OEM and Retail Windows 10?

Finally, we have arrived at the battleground of Windows OEM VS Windows retail.

First of all, talking about the features both the OEM and retail have a full version of the operating system, where the user can enjoy updates, functionality, and features that is expect from Windows.

Whether you are using OEM Windows 10 or retail you can upgrade your Windows to a newer version as long you have a Windows license.

Windows 10 Oem Retail

Though there is not much of a difference between OEM and retail Windows 10, only a few that is stated in the below table.

Keep Windows 10 System Error Free

Windows 10 comes with a lot of new features as well as bugs. Some stubborn bugs are not solved with manuals solutions therefore you need to try PC Repair Tool.

Windows Oem Key

This is a professionally designed tool that is user-friendly and easy to handle, even a novice person can use to keep their Windows 10 system error-free.

You just need to download this tool and the rest of the work will be done automatically. It will scan your entire operating system, detects the error from your system, and solves them without any hassle.

Errors like BSOD, update error, DLL, game error & others, repairs inaccessible system files, prevents viruses, optimizes PC performance, and much more.

Get PC Repair Tool to Keep Windows 10 System Error Free

People Also Ask:

• If you want to which Windows license key you are using, simply open the command prompt (PowerShell) by pressing Windows + X key
• In the command prompt window, type Slmgr /dli or slmgr /dlv and hit the enter key
• After a couple of minutes, the Windows script host will appear where your license type, product key, and license status will be mentioned.

YES, Windows 10 license can be transferred if you have purchased the Windows 10 retail copy. If you are upgrading your Windows to a newer version you are allowed to transfer the product key to a new device.

First of all, you have uninstalled the product key. For that open the command prompt (admin) and then type slmgr /upk command.

The Windows script host will let you know whether the product key is uninstalled or not. After that in the new PC, open cmd and type slmgr /ipk xxxxxxxx xxxx (xxxx means product key).

Wait for a couple of minutes for the Windows script host to tell you that the product key is installed successfully.

Conclusion

All right, so this was all about Windows OEM VS Windows retail.

I have listed down the difference between OEM and retail Windows 10 so that it will get easier for you to choose the license key for your PC to activate Windows 10.

If you have a pre-installed OEM Windows 10 then there is no need to change the motherboard and if not then go with the Windows 10 Retail license as it has more privilege.

Well, it depends on you which Windows license you buy. I hope that you liked this article and go to know about the retail OEM difference in Windows license.

Apart from this, if you have left with any questions or suggestion then write to us on our Facebookpage. We’ll be happy to help you.

Neha Kumari

Change Windows Oem To Retail Location

Being a professional badminton player, Neha has won many awards in school and college level. During her college days, she also developed a passion for computer-related stuff which lead her to become a technical writer indeed. She writes so that other people can benefit from her acquired knowledge.