It is always a good idea to start a new Windows Server 2016 / 2019 installation on a new slate. However, in some instances, you may be working on a site that will force you to upgrade from the current installation to the latest version.
- Windows 7 Forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for Microsoft Windows 7 Computers such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. I purchased Windows 7 Ultimate from a local store about 20 months ago, unbeknownst to me that it was in fact an OEM version.
- The facts are OEM is tied onto your Motherboard and other hardware. You change/replace them, your Windows copy is deactivated. Then next time online, it will attempt to reactivate. Checking if the hardware is too different, OEM won't reactivate. Meaning you have to contact Microsoft themselves and explain the changes, with a good reason why.
- Technically an OEM Windows XP Pro key will not activate with retail XP Pro media - at least that's how it is in Vista, W7, and Windows 8. Just like VL key will not activate a FPP media. So really how this SHOULD be done, is to use your retail disk and key to install on your new hardware - and import all the data from your old PC.
That’s to say, you could move OEM license to HDD/SSD as long as you don’t change the important hardware of your computer, such as, motherboard, CPU. Why transfer Windows 10 OEM to new hard drive? As mentioned above, the OEM version can only be used on the first activated computer.
The routines described here apply to the server versions of Windows 2016 and 2019. This article describes moving to Windows Server 2016 / 2019 from different lower server platforms.
The path to the new Operating System (OS) depends on the current system and configurations that you are running.
That being the case, the following terms define activities you are likely to encounter when deploying the 2016 Server.
Installation
The simplest way of installing a new OS to work on your hardware, and get a clean installation, demands that you delete the previous Operating System.
Migration
To move system settings to the new Windows Server using a virtual machine is what we call migration. The process also varies depending on the roles and system configurations already running.
Cluster OS Rolling Upgrade
This feature is new in Windows Server 2016, and its role is to make sure the Administrator can upgrade the Operating System of all nodes running Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016, without interfering with the Hyper-V or Scale-Out File Server workloads.
The feature also helps in reducing downtime, which may affect Service Level Agreements.
License Conversion
Some Operating Systems use releases that allow the conversion of one edition to another without so much struggling.
What you need is a simple command issued alongside a license key, and you end doing the license conversion.
Upgrade
When you want to use the latest software that comes with the newer versions, then you have to do an upgrade.
In-place upgrades mean using the same hardware for installing the new Operating System. For example, you can upgrade from evaluation to retail version or from a volume license to an ordinary retail edition.
NOTE 1: An upgrade will work well in virtual machines if you do not need specific OEM hardware drivers.
NOTE 2: Following the Windows Server 2016 release, you can only perform an upgrade on a version installed using the Desktop Experience (not a server core option).
NOTE 3: If you use NIC teaming, disable it before you perform an upgrade; and when the upgrade is complete, re-enable it.
Upgrade Retail Versions of Windows Server to Windows Server 2016 / 2019
Note the following general principles:
- Upgrading a 32-bit to 64-bit architectures is not possible. Note that all Windows Server 2016 versions are only available in 64-bit.
- You cannot upgrade from one language to another.
- If you are running a domain controller, make sure you can handle the task, or read the following article: Upgrade Domain Controllers to Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012.
- You cannot upgrade from a preview version.
- You cannot switch from Server Core installation to a Server with a Desktop installation.
- You cannot upgrade from a Previous Windows Server installation to an evaluation copy of Windows Server.
You can read from the table below that shows a summary of Windows Operating Systems available for upgrade. If you are unable to upgrade your current Windows version, then upgrading to Windows Server 2016 is impossible
| Current Windows Edition | Possible Upgrade Edition |
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Per-Server-Role Considerations for Upgrading
It’s important to consider server roles before performing an upgrade.
For example, some server roles are part of the newer Windows versions and may only need additional preparation or actions to get the desired intent.
Converting Current Evaluation Version to Current Retail Version
It is possible to convert the trial version of Windows Server 2016 Standard to a Data 2016 Standard Server or a Datacenter version. The two conversions can be retail versions. You can also convert Windows Server 2016 Datacenter to the retail version.
Before making any conversion attempts to the retail version, ensure that your server is running an evaluation version; you can confirm this by following these steps:
- From the administrator’s command prompt, run
- The evaluation versions will include “EVAL” as the output
- Open the control panel
- Then click on System and Security
- Click on System
- View the activation status found on the activation area of the System page
- Click view details, and you will see more information on your Windows Status
- If your Windows is activated, you will see information showing the remaining time for the evaluation period.
If you are running a retail version, you will see the “Upgrading previous retail versions of Windows Server 2016” message prompting you to upgrade to Windows Server 2016.
In Windows Server 2016 Essentials, the conversion to retail version is possible if you have a retail volume license or OEM key in the command slmgr.vbs
In case you are running an evaluation version of Windows Server 2016 Standard or Windows Server 2016 Datacenter, the following conversions can help you:
Change Windows Oem To Retail Location
- If the server is a domain controller, it cannot change to the retail version. First, install another domain controller on a server that runs a retail version and remove the AD DS from the domain controller that has the evaluation version.
- Read the license terms
- From the administrator’s command prompt, enter this command to get the current edition:
Change Windows 10 Oem To Retail
Note the edition ID, the abbreviation form of the edition name, and then run the following command:
Once you get the ID and product key, the server should restart twice.
You can convert the evaluation version of Windows Server 2016 Standard to the retail version of Windows Server 2016 Datacenter using the same command and product key.
Converting Current Retail Edition to a Different Current Retail Edition
After successful installation of Windows Server 2016, you can run setup to repair the installation using a process called “repair in place” that converts it to a different edition.
In case of Windows Server 2016 Standard, you can convert the system to Windows Server 2016 Datacenter by:
- From the administrator’s command prompt, use the following command to determine the existing edition:
- Run this command to get the ID of the edition you want to upgrade to:
- Note the ID edition, the name of the edition, and then run this command:
- Once you get the ID and product key, the server should restart twice.
Converting Current Retail Version to Current Volume Licensed Version
Once you have Windows Server 2016 running, you can convert it to a retail version, an OEM version, or a volume-licensed version. The edition will not change.
If the starting point was an evaluation version, change it to retail version and then do as follows:
- From the administrator’s command, run this command:
- Insert the appropriate volume license, OEM or retail key instead of <key>
Conclusion
Upgrading Windows Server is a complicated process; therefore, Microsoft suggests that you migrate all roles and settings to Windows Server 2016 to avoid costly mistakes.
Summary: If you are confused and have no idea to choose which Windows license key for your PC then, have a look at this article and know the Windows OEM vs Windows retail difference. This will help you in making a wise decision.
If you owe a Windows 10 operating system then you must have a Windows license key as it activates and verifies the Windows on your PC. In some cases, Windows 10 automatically get activated with a digital license instead of the product key.
Copying Windows 10 from one PC to another requires a product key to activate it. If you have copied Windows 10 from the other computer then you must get the license key for Windows to run on your PC.
Though there are four types of Windows licenses for different requirements such as Windows OEM, Windows retail, Windows volume, and Windows MSDN. If you are not developing any software or working in a large business then you can choose either OEM or retail license.
Go through this article and get to know the difference between OEM and retail Windows 10 and then make a purchase of Windows license for your PC to activate Windows 10.
Also, discover the relevant information regarding Windows 10 OEM and Windows 10 retailversion.
What Does OEM Windows 10 Mean?
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a Windows license that is pre-installed on your PC by the companies that manufacture PC. They include a copy of Windows in it so that you can immediately use your PC.
Though this OEM license is pre-installed, users can also buy them if they want to build a gaming PC or have a second-hand system that is either outdated or have no operating system.
Talking about whether to purchase this license or not, you can decide when you go through Windows OEM vs Windows retail difference.
What Is The Retail Version Of Windows 10?
A retail version of Windows 10 is a full packaged product. It is referred to retail license that users buy when they purchase a Windows 10 copy from any retailer store or Microsoft store.
If you have purchased Windows 10 retail license then you can transfer it from one computer to another but not at the same time, one device has to be deactivated plus no limit on the hardware.
Now, that you got to know about Windows 10 OEM and Windows 10 Retail. Let’s the Windows 10 OEM VS retail battle begin.
What Is the Difference Between OEM and Retail Windows 10?
Finally, we have arrived at the battleground of Windows OEM VS Windows retail.
First of all, talking about the features both the OEM and retail have a full version of the operating system, where the user can enjoy updates, functionality, and features that is expect from Windows.
Whether you are using OEM Windows 10 or retail you can upgrade your Windows to a newer version as long you have a Windows license.
Though there is not much of a difference between OEM and retail Windows 10, only a few that is stated in the below table.
Windows OEM | Windows RETAIL |
| In OEM Windows 10 any part of the computer can be replaced except the motherboard. As the SLIC (Software Licensing Internal Code) is stored in BIOS if when missing then Windows 10 OEM won’t get activated. | In Windows 10 Retail License there is no limit in replacing the hardware of your PC. Even if you replace any hardware of your PC it will still be activated without any issue. |
| OEM Windows 10 license is Non-Transferable | Windows 10 Retail license is Transferable from one PC to another. |
| Windows 10 OEM license is cheaper and when purchased online from Amazon or eBay the price gets lower. | Retail license Windows 10 cost is more than OEM but when online purchased the price gets a bit low. |
| The user needs to contact the manufacturer of the device for any problem. | Windows 10 Retail customer if run into any hardware or activation issue, directly contact Microsoft support. |
| OEM Windows 10 can be installed only once and that too locked in a single PC. | The retail version of Windows 10 can be installed multiple times but to activate the product key into the new device, the old one has to be deactivated. |
Keep Windows 10 System Error Free
Windows 10 comes with a lot of new features as well as bugs. Some stubborn bugs are not solved with manuals solutions therefore you need to try PC Repair Tool.
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People Also Ask:
- If you want to which Windows license key you are using, simply open the command prompt (PowerShell) by pressing Windows + X key
- In the command prompt window, type Slmgr /dli or slmgr /dlv and hit the enter key
- After a couple of minutes, the Windows script host will appear where your license type, product key, and license status will be mentioned.
YES, Windows 10 license can be transferred if you have purchased the Windows 10 retail copy. If you are upgrading your Windows to a newer version you are allowed to transfer the product key to a new device.
First of all, you have uninstalled the product key. For that open the command prompt (admin) and then type slmgr /upk command.
The Windows script host will let you know whether the product key is uninstalled or not. After that in the new PC, open cmd and type slmgr /ipk xxxxxxxx xxxx (xxxx means product key).
Wait for a couple of minutes for the Windows script host to tell you that the product key is installed successfully.
Conclusion
All right, so this was all about Windows OEM VS Windows retail.
I have listed down the difference between OEM and retail Windows 10 so that it will get easier for you to choose the license key for your PC to activate Windows 10.
If you have a pre-installed OEM Windows 10 then there is no need to change the motherboard and if not then go with the Windows 10 Retail license as it has more privilege.
Well, it depends on you which Windows license you buy. I hope that you liked this article and go to know about the retail OEM difference in Windows license.
Apart from this, if you have left with any questions or suggestion then write to us on our Facebookpage. We’ll be happy to help you.
Neha Kumari
Being a professional badminton player, Neha has won many awards in school and college level. During her college days, she also developed a passion for computer-related stuff which lead her to become a technical writer indeed. She writes so that other people can benefit from her acquired knowledge.