I currently have a 4 year old computer I built with windows vista on it. I want to upgrade to windows 7 or 8 right now but I am planning on upgrading my computer in the late spring/summer. I am going to replace every part except for the power supply and dvd burner which are both newer.

My question is if I buy windows 7/8 now and install it on my computer, then sometime down the line I build a new computer, can I install that windows on the new computer assuming that the old computer is never used again? Or am i just gonna get locked out b/c it's a new computer?

Yes that's fine. If you have the upgrade version you'll need your vista discs to reinstall. Though if you get the OEM version there might be troubles if you replace your motherboard.

I was going to buy the OEM version. Why would the upgrade version be better than the OEM? I have never bought an upgrade version of any windows, just the OEM version of vista and XP back in the day so I dont know anything about upgrade editions.

I have heard that you're not allowed to replace your motherboard with an OEM windows version, but I haven't personally tried it. I just use the upgrade versions, which you need an older version of windows to use.

I assume you mean retail, rather than OEM. OEM is original equipment manufacturer - that is, HP / dell etc and are supplied with new pcs only. You cannot buy an OEM without buying a new computer.

If you meant a standard retail, yes you are fine with what you plan.

Sure you can, they sell them everywhere. For 8 it's called System Builders OEM, and runs about $100. Effectively all consumer licenses for 8 are OEM now as I understand it, and it's the retail/full versions that are gone.

OP check out the Windows licensing rules on Microsoft's site, they spell out the restrictions. Licence rules changed recently (a lot).

Ok, so you can buy them - but in OPs case he would actually be unlicensed if he bought one.

On Microsofts website here http://oem.microsoft.com/public/worl..._v2_012111.pdf
It defines OEM licenses as for manufacturers, assemblers (etc) who SELL the systems to end users or third parties. It is not for people who build their own PCs.

You're looking at the old license rules, not that every PC hobbyist hasn't been using OEMs since forever. The rationale behind the policy wasn't directed at people building systems for themselves (who can "sell" a PC to themselves). It was to discourage builders and small companies from selling computers to customers and then not providing Windows support as they're obligated to.

However the new rules (for Win8) were simplified and changed/clarified all of that in plain language:

Link. The previous system builder rules used to be http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense, linked also in that pdf, but they've removed it.

In any case you're fine with Win7 to and will have no issues using an OEM license. You just don't get to call MS for help and you can't keep using it on different machines as you rebuild them without risk of the license eventually being no good. You can for a while but you're not supposed to if you swap the motherboard out specifically.

And based on my experience, you can install 7 in a build and at least two rebuilds fine.

When the Sandy Bridge SATA fault happened in early 2011 a lot of people had to send their motherboards back and get new ones. I did that after an install, then the new board failed, then the 3rd worked. On the 3rd install I had to call in and they had you read off a ton of numbers and then they give you a new one (not a license, it's longer) and okay the install. They did that with old version too if used a lot.

Later down the line I decided to try the Win 8 beta and went back to Win 7 for a while, same deal installing. Finally I bought a new SSD drive and went for a fresh install and that was it, didn't work, no dice from MS, so I went to Win 8 Pro for the $40 offer.

The moral of the story is don't go nuts with an OEM license (applies to MS office stuff too), and the retail Win7 is for fish.

I didn't realise that had changed with all the other changes they made to the licensing - thanks.

You said the license rules changed for W8 but does that apply to previous versions of Windows as well (all they way back to XP)?

No. Windows 7 and earlier still require retail versions, not OEM http://www.microsoft.com/Oem/en-gb/l...id=MNJy0G2c4qt

The thing with these Windows OEM licenses is that Microsoft seem to have 2 policies
-What they state in their T&C
-What they do on a daily basis to enforce what they think is right

They would have no problem creating ways in which OEM licenses are invalidated after they are transferred to a different computer (thus preventing them from being sold and transferred to others) the fact they don't do that shows that they don't mind people using OEM versions of their OS without buying a new machine as a long they don't use Linux or OS X. Furthermore those OEM windows were paid for and thus Microsoft was compensated for their work. For those reasons I believe it's ethical and right to use OEM Windows even if it violates their T&C (that they themselves don't give a damn anyway)

I believe Microsoft had this OEM and Retail OS scam going simply to be able to extract most profits of the pricing power that they had. They were able to get some folks not to buy used OEM and pay full retail as a result of the policy and thus increased their profits by more than they would otherwise do as a result of the policy

But the whole time their policy was 'whatever you do just use Windows and we will increase our market share and find other ways to extract profits from our growing customer base'

Those 2 aren't as far apart as you may think. You are aware that there is a whole team at MS enforcing their licensing rights? Every day they are working to reduce / prevent license abuse and piracy. I have been audited by MS in the last 6 months.

LOL. You really think that MS "don't mind people using OEM versions of their OS without buying a new machine as a long they don't use Linux or OS X"?

Having spent a fair amount of time over several weeks talking to MS licensing team as a part of our audit, I can assure you that they are trying to create ways to prevent licenses being sold / transferred and the incorrect usage of OEMs, through automatic deactivation of licenses, and they really do mind people not using the correct licenses for their software.

Don't listen to what they say, watch what they DO