Win 10 Pro, Best Place to Buy, Which version, OEM or other?
I want to update my 4 Office computers to Windows 10 Pro. I just want to update the OS from Win 7 Pro to Win 10 Pro and leave existing applications and data as is.
I thought purchasing would be very straightforward but I see many options and prices.
On Amazon I see a Win 10 Pro on a USB for $189. I see other offers for Win 10 Pro OEM for much less.
Question:
Where to buy Win 10 Pro? I want to get a good price but some of the prices I see are suspiciously low.
Is there a difference between the OEM version and the others?
I thought purchasing would be very straightforward but I see many options and prices.
On Amazon I see a Win 10 Pro on a USB for $189. I see other offers for Win 10 Pro OEM for much less.
Question:
Where to buy Win 10 Pro? I want to get a good price but some of the prices I see are suspiciously low.
Is there a difference between the OEM version and the others?
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noxcho
I would first try inplace upgrade and check if Windows 10 yet accepts yours Windows 7 license.
If the machines shipped with Windows 10, you should be able to upgrade using downloaded media.
OEM media historically does not permit upgrades. I'm not sure if that changed, however, OEM is intended for hardware with NO PREVIOUS version of Windows, so that would eliminate it as an option for you.
Retail is an option, but Volume would cost about the same. Volume has added benefits (media and key always available for download and installation; re-imaging rights (less important for you, most likely)) but does have ONE drawback - to open a volume license agreement, you need to purchase 5 total licenses. This is easily worked around for a minimal fee by buying 4 copies of Windows 10 Pro and 1 copy of the cheapest SKU microsoft has (your vendor should be able to help with this; I don't recall off hand but it's usually $10-20 (this becomes the "fee")).
Legitimate sales of Windows 10 will not vary much; margins on software are VERY low; typically 8-15% so the resellers don't generally discount it much and if there was a discount, I'd be suspect of the legitimacy of the license. My advice, don't spend hours researching this to save $20-50. Your time is likely far more valuable than that. Just buy from a reputable vendor.
OEM media historically does not permit upgrades. I'm not sure if that changed, however, OEM is intended for hardware with NO PREVIOUS version of Windows, so that would eliminate it as an option for you.
Retail is an option, but Volume would cost about the same. Volume has added benefits (media and key always available for download and installation; re-imaging rights (less important for you, most likely)) but does have ONE drawback - to open a volume license agreement, you need to purchase 5 total licenses. This is easily worked around for a minimal fee by buying 4 copies of Windows 10 Pro and 1 copy of the cheapest SKU microsoft has (your vendor should be able to help with this; I don't recall off hand but it's usually $10-20 (this becomes the "fee")).
Legitimate sales of Windows 10 will not vary much; margins on software are VERY low; typically 8-15% so the resellers don't generally discount it much and if there was a discount, I'd be suspect of the legitimacy of the license. My advice, don't spend hours researching this to save $20-50. Your time is likely far more valuable than that. Just buy from a reputable vendor.
Hello,
Please go to www.microsoft.com
Search for Windows 10 pro, you'll be redirected to the microsoft store of your region to buy
OEM licenses are only sold with hardware and usually by Microsofts partners or their resellers.
For your windows 7 licenses, the (free) grace period is over but you can still try without a guarantee.
Also reassure you before the migration that your applications are Windows 10 compatible
For your personal data, although in the majority of cases, there is no data loss but it is still recommended to make a full backup of the computer.
Please go to www.microsoft.com
Search for Windows 10 pro, you'll be redirected to the microsoft store of your region to buy
OEM licenses are only sold with hardware and usually by Microsofts partners or their resellers.
For your windows 7 licenses, the (free) grace period is over but you can still try without a guarantee.
Also reassure you before the migration that your applications are Windows 10 compatible
For your personal data, although in the majority of cases, there is no data loss but it is still recommended to make a full backup of the computer.
BIG NOTE
If you choose to buy your licenses from a seller, it is your duty to ensure the legality of the transaction and the licenses purchased
Couple of Microsoft documents on the different between Retail Fully Packaged Product (FPP) and OEM that you might find useful - the Word document especially points out that OEM disks are sold for installation on newly built systems which are then sold onto end users (who are not the System Builder). That doesn't mean they won't install but it does mean that their licencing terms aren't complied with if you are both the builder and the end-user (and if also you haven't installed them on a brand new build).
Microsoft-OEM-System-Builder-Licenci.pdf
Windows_10_Licensing_Guide.docx
Microsoft-OEM-System-Builder-Licenci.pdf
Windows_10_Licensing_Guide.docx
ASKER
Thanks for all of the replies. I will definitely stay away from OEM. Before moving on the purchase I have a question for one of the reponders.
noxcho, how would I go about trying this?
I would first try inplace upgrade and check if Windows 10 yet accepts yours Windows 7 license.
noxcho, how would I go about trying this?
The rules around the "free" upgrade to Windows 10 from qualifying systems are also less than straightforward.
See:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29161082/Windows-10-update-question.html
&
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29161756/Windows-10-upgrade-from-Windows-7-for-Free-on-Dell-computers.html
(None of the advice here can be used in your defence if needed!)
See:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29161082/Windows-10-update-question.html
&
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29161756/Windows-10-upgrade-from-Windows-7-for-Free-on-Dell-computers.html
(None of the advice here can be used in your defence if needed!)
well - look first if you can upgrade your OS for free i'd say - if MS provides you with a digital licence - all is well
see kenfcamp's last post in the last link above
see kenfcamp's last post in the last link above
noxcho, how would I go about trying this?Download an ISO file of Windows 10 and create installation media. Run from running Windows 7 your installation and let it upgrade existing OS to new one. If your license in Windows 7 is no more valid for Windows 10 it will ask you about activation later. If it is valid then let it be.
ASKER
Thank you for all of the responses, very informative. I tried upgrading using my Win 7 license but that was a no go. I'll definitely stay away from OEM, I definitely want too stay legal. I'm going purchase retail licenses.
Thanks for the update.
what i told you above "if it greets you with a digital licence" you have a legal licence
>> I tried upgrading using my Win 7 license but that was a no go << what happened?
>> I tried upgrading using my Win 7 license but that was a no go << what happened?