OEM vs. Retail

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009.

  1. pomocnik

    pomocnik MDL Novice

    Jan 1, 2008
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    #1 pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009
    what is the difference between OEM and Retail images? actually i have OEM, but in cas that i online buy retail key, can i use OEM image for install or need I retail image? thank you
     
  2. FreeStyler

    FreeStyler MDL Guru

    Jun 23, 2007
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    #2 FreeStyler, Aug 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    only difference, ei.cfg, all the rest 100% identical (verified hashes)

    ei.cfg retail:

    Code:
    [EditionID]
Ultimate
[Channel]
RETAIL
[VL]
0
    ei.cfg oem:
    Code:
    [EditionID]
Ultimate
[Channel]
OEM
[VL]
0
    This modification only seems to force setup to show the OEM eula
     
  3. Reign_Of_Freedom

    Reign_Of_Freedom MDL Expert

    Aug 1, 2009
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    #3 Reign_Of_Freedom, Aug 8, 2009
    Pretty sure the image's are the same only difference is the ei.cfg file in the sources folder, someone will correct me if i'm wrong. :p

    Edit: Free posted before me so there's your answer. :p
     
  4. pomocnik

    pomocnik MDL Novice

    Jan 1, 2008
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    #4 pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009 (OP)
    in case that i remove ei.cfg is possible to use any key, right? oem or retail. on key depends
     
  5. YooBlu

    YooBlu MDL Novice

    Jul 30, 2009
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    #5 YooBlu, Aug 8, 2009
    OEM will accept oem keys only and Retail can accept oem and retail if you use the slick hack thought.
     
  6. pomocnik

    pomocnik MDL Novice

    Jan 1, 2008
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    #6 pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009 (OP)
    i dont need any hack, my question is in case that i remove from OEM ISO ei.cfg, if i can use oem or retail keys.

    FreeStyler wrote that only difference is ei.cfg and thing written in ei.cfg. i remove ei.cfg - which key can i use after that?
     
  7. pomocnik

    pomocnik MDL Novice

    Jan 1, 2008
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    #7 pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009 (OP)
    when i have oem iso and use retail key, will it work?
    when i have retail iso and use oem key and cert, will it work?
     
  8. FreeStyler

    FreeStyler MDL Guru

    Jun 23, 2007
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    #8 FreeStyler, Aug 8, 2009
    not sure, don't have a retail key to test ;)
     
  9. pomocnik

    pomocnik MDL Novice

    Jan 1, 2008
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    #9 pomocnik, Aug 8, 2009 (OP)
    ok, for sure i download both, oem and retail :)
     
  10. VelleX

    VelleX MDL Member

    Jul 14, 2009
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    #10 VelleX, Aug 8, 2009
    As already mentioned, the only difference is the ei.cfg. (and the DVD Label)
    I think you can use everey key. Does not make a difference if there stands OEM/Retail in the ei.cfg. I think its only for the License agreement, so that the OEM EULA shows up and not the retail EULA.
     
  11. PrEzi

    PrEzi MDL Addicted

    Aug 23, 2007
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    #11 PrEzi, Aug 8, 2009
    no need to download OEM and Retail.
    Just use Retail with any keys.
    If you want it to activate like OEM just use a cert + a modded bios (or a lo@der).
     
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  12. Everilda

    Everilda MDL Senior Member

    Jun 28, 2009
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    #12 Everilda, Aug 8, 2009
    Just download either the RTM OEM or Retail iso. Then use something like UltraIso to delete the ei.cfg file from the \sources directory.
    Burn the Iso onto a disc.

    You will the be able to install any version of win 7 and use Retail or OEM keys.

    I believe the first Win 7 RTM Iso's released by Wazor did not have the ei.cfg file.
     
  13. EclipseSin

    EclipseSin MDL Member

    Feb 29, 2008
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    #13 EclipseSin, Aug 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    If you change

    Code:
    [VL]
0
    to

    Code:
    [VL]
1
    It stops the OOBE from showing the key input screen too, whether one is installed with DISM or unattend file, or not. Just thought I'd throw that in there.