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Posted

So we purchase computers, they come with OEM Windows but that gets replaced with our volume licensed media which is installed with MDT.

 

Many years later, those computers are sold off. My understanding is that there are not imaging rights with OEM installs, so you aren't supposed to use the media they came with. On the other hand, you wouldn't want to use your volume media for something you are going to sell, because I think in the end you want the computers you are selling to be licensed with the product key on the machine. Surely the only solution is that you are expected to "restore" the machined to OEM one by one with restore CD's, is it? Is there a correct legal way to use MDT to prepare computers to be sold off?

Posted
Interestingly I've been digging into the same thing with regards using VLK minimum license to deploy OEM in the workplace.

 

Tip: Legally Deploying Images Windows To OEM Licensed PCs | Aidan Finn, IT Pro

 

Interesting stuff, but as you say restoring to a factory image on disposal seems the only legal option.

 

Apparently Microsoft doesn't expect anyone to get rid of computers that are still running? I sent a message to my reseller to ask them about it, so I'll update if I get a more firm answer.

Posted

You should use the OEM recovery disk(s) that came with the computers (or the recovery partition if you havent wiped it), else you will have to format the hard disk before selling them off.

 

As far as I am aware, technically the OEM license is only valid for the original purchaser/business so if you sell it on (certainly from a business point of view) you need to get a 'Refurbished Licence' from Microsoft (I dont mean a second hand licence, they actually have cheaper licences for this sort of thing and they call them Refurbished).

Posted
As far as I am aware, technically the OEM license is only valid for the original purchaser/business so if you sell it on (certainly from a business point of view) you need to get a 'Refurbished Licence' from Microsoft (I dont mean a second hand licence, they actually have cheaper licences for this sort of thing and they call them Refurbished).

Not true: Transfer of OEM licenses

Posted
I kept the recovery disks last time they were supplied, but everything in the last 3 years has come without them - and I wiped the recovery partition when I imaged the machines. If I buy a new pc with an OEM install, could I capture an image and then deploy to other PCs which originally came with the same version of windows?
Posted
If I buy a new pc with an OEM install, could I capture an image and then deploy to other PCs which originally came with the same version of Windows?

Just use the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool that Microsoft provide on their website. It allows you to re-install Windows 8.1 on any OEM PC that previously had Windows 8 or 8.1.

 

http://vgy.me/lWS5DG.png

 

I'm sure MS will release a similar tool for Windows 10 too.

Posted
The equivalent for Windows 7 only works with retail licenses unfortunately.

 

www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

 

It was mainly windows 7 I was thinking of because I've used the MS software recovery site before - after you made me aware if it :)

 

I did find that the Windows 8.1 download wouldn't work on a machine that had Windows 8 OEM - I had to create a Windows 8 iso and then upgrade through the windows store - a highly frustrating evening of downloading the same data several times.

 

It'll be interesting to see what happens with windows 10 - perhaps we'll be able to download an iso to install on machines which were windows 7 oem...

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