Uninstalling windows OEM?

[Designerluke]

Hello Guys,

Sorry if this is a really noob-ish question but, is it possible to uninstall a windows OEM version so that you can sell/send motherboard in to manufacturer if something goes wrong with it?

It's just I am thinking of building my own PC and the thought of a windows OEM is putting me off, and I don't really want to fork out £100 for a retail version of windows.

Also if something did go wrong with the motherboard, would the manufacturer accept it even if it's tied to an OEM?

Thanks in advance.

 

[USAFRet]

Hello Guys,

Sorry if this is a really noob-ish question but, is it possible to uninstall a windows OEM version so that you can sell/send motherboard in to manufacturer if something goes wrong with it?

It's just I am thinking of building my own PC and the thought of a windows OEM is putting me off, and I don't really want to fork out £100 for a retail version of windows.

Also if something did go wrong with the motherboard, would the manufacturer accept it even if it's tied to an OEM?

Thanks in advance.

The OS does not get installed 'on' the motherboard. It lives on the hard drive or SSD.
If you need to send the motherboard back or sell it, what OS it is does not make a difference.
But you can't use that OEM license on a new motherboard, except in cases of broken and replaced.

A Retail license is not that much more expensive than an OEM. And gives you the opportunity to change hardware int he future, without problem.

 

[Designerluke]

Thanks alot, so if I got a new motherboard and was using an OEM, how would I then install a new OS on my PC, do I need to format my SSD or would I just put the bootable usb into my PC, boot from it in BIOS and would it overwrite the current OS I have on there?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks alot, so if I got a new motherboard and was using an OEM, how would I then install a new OS on my PC, do I need to format my SSD or would I just put the bootable usb into my PC, boot from it in BIOS and would it overwrite the current OS I have on there?

If you got a new motherboard, that OEM license is no good. Unless you are talking about an actual broken and replaced motherboard.
If you get a new board just because you want a new one, no. That license will not work.

The install process is the same, Retail or OEM. Boot from your install media and install it. Wiping out the old one.
The difference comes into play when you activate it.
Retail will activate. OEM will fail. You may be able to call MS and beg, but they are under no obligation to allow reuse of that license on another motherboard or system.

 

[Designerluke]

Ok, so there is no need to format your SSD, it will just overwrite whatever OS is on there? even if I had an OEM and wanted to update to a retail full copy?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, so there is no need to format your SSD, it will just overwrite whatever OS is on there? even if I had an OEM and wanted to update to a retail full copy?

If you have an OEM install, and want a Retail install, there is no need to overwrite anything. The OS is the same, just the license type is different.
Change the product key:

Now....if you are changing drives or motherboard, that is totally different.

 

[Designerluke]

Yes, if I decide to change motherboard in future? how would I re-install a clean version of windows? and how do I format SSD to erase windows install from it?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, if I decide to change motherboard in future? how would I re-install a clean version of windows? and how do I format SSD to erase windows install from it?

Boot from your install media.
During the process, you'll have thew option to wipe all existing partitions, leaving one large space.
Make one partition using the whole drive.
Then let Windows format it and use that whole space.