Can I install the OS from a Retail disk to activate OEM Version?

Question

I have bought and installed a retail version of the Win 7 OS.[Full Version copy]

I am looking to reinstall Win 7 OS in my son's Dell. He'd lost the Dell's OEM disk.

My question is can I install the Win 7 OS using my retail copy on my son's computer and then put in the the COA from the Sticker on his computer to activate the OS?

Can I put in his COA number while installing the OS?

Or I have no option but to have find this OEM OS disk?

Regards

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

As long as your Windows 7 Retail disk matches the version of his COA (Home Premium, Professional, etc.), then you CAN activate it, but you must choose the option to activate by phone.  I've done this a sad number of times :)

Philip_Yip · Accepted Answer

Yes you can, I have wrote a guide a wiki explaining what to do in more depth, you may find a clean install of Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Downloads wikies in my wiki lost below. Several people have followed these wikies (doing exactly what you are wanting to do) and have came out without any problems.

snowshine · Answer

Thank you fireberd. His resotre [Factory] must be corrupted. First I will tell him to find [search his possession]  the OEM disk [We are from UK!!]. Failing that I will try with Dell. Regards

fireberd · Answer

No. The Retail version when you install will only work with the product key for that disc. The Dell product key is only for a Dell OEM disc.

If your son's PC came with Windows 7, F8 at POST will access the Dell restore and allow reinstalling without the need for discs. If that has been corrupted a new set of discs (what OS originally came on the PC) can be ordered HERE for US customers.

Windows 7 can be downloaded from Microsoft but I don't know if the Microsoft downloaded version will work with an OEM product key.

RobinBredin · Answer

Thank you fireberd.

His resotre [Factory] must be corrupted.

First I will tell him to find [search his possession] the OEM disk [We are from UK!!]. Failing that I will try with Dell.

Regards

I have heard that any OEM disc will activate using your product key from your system, Ie HP, Compaq etc. Or, get one from HERE. or even better, ebay.

snowshine · Answer

Thank you theflash1932.

So I could continue with the install by just put in the COA of the Retail version and when go on line it would not activate because the same COA is on another computer. Here I will have to give a call to the MS to activate it? Is that what you meant?

Regards

snowshine · Answer

That is intresting RobinBredin. I will keep a look out for any OEM disk. If find then I could give a try. Thank you

theflash1932 · Answer

Do not use your Retail key/COA when installing on a system with which you plan to use the OEM key. If you install the Retail key and activate on one system, you cannot use that key on another system.

When you install using the Retail disk, and enter an OEM key, Automatic Online Activation will fail. You then choose to activate by phone. When you do, Windows generates an installation code (probably based on a combination of hardware and software criteria - brand/BIOS check, Windows version, serial number, etc.), which you present to the Windows representative. If your code checks out, then they will give you an activation code to enter to allow activation.

Automatically, retail keys and media are not compatible with other types of keys and media, and vice versa, which is why you must call to verify your system/license. Just know that even activation by phone will not work if it is not the same version (Home/Pro, etc.).

snowshine · Answer

Thank you theflash1932. That does make a lot of sense and I do understand you absolutely. Regards

Windows General

Can I install the OS from a Retail disk to activate OEM Version?

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