What Is Windows 11 OEM?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and is a term applied to companies that manufacture PCs. These desktops and laptops usually include a copy of Windows, which means it is pre-installed and works right out of the box.
This Windows 11 OEM license is simpler than other licenses and lacks some features, but still, it’s a cheaper system builder than other versions. When you buy a PC in legal retails and stores, you get a Windows 11 OEM license. In some way, the price you pay for this Windows OS version is included in the final price of the computer.
- Windows 11 OEM will install on a new PC that does not have a previous version of Windows installed and cannot be transferred to another machine.
- Windows 11 OEM doesn’t provide product support.
How to Get Windows 11 OEM?
While most Windows 11 OEM versions end up preinstalled on the device, they can also be purchased as license keys from third-party sites. Many legitimate online sites deal with Windows 11 OEMs such as Amazon, Walmart, etc. You can choose one of them based on your needs.
Related post: How to Get Windows 11 Keys for Free or at a Cheap Price
Should You Buy Windows 11 OEM?
There’s nothing illegal about buying an OEM key, as long as it’s an official key. However, this does not mean that the content listed on these sites is legal. Thus, you should be careful before purchasing.
Window 11 OEM vs Windows 11 Retail
What are the differences between Windows 11 OEM and Windows 11 Retail?
The second major difference is how many devices a copy can be used on. The Windows 11 Retail version can be installed on multiple devices (just not at the same time), while the Windows 11 OEM version can only be used on the first activated hardware.
Windows 11 OEM is more suitable for low-quality parts in their systems, and the consumer ends up with a gaming computer that runs slower than it should. While, the Windows 11 Retail works better with high-quality parts that gaming PC uses, such as graphic cards and memory.
Further reading:
Whether you use Windows 11 OEM or Windows 11 Retail, it’s recommended to back up your system regularly to avoid data loss. Besides, some users choose to transfer to their license. License transfer may be related to hardware replacement. If you want to replace hardware, please back up the computer to an external drive first in case the system or important data is damaged by improper operations during the process of the hardware replacement.
To do the backup task, a great backup program can satisfy most of your needs. It is called MiniTool ShdowMaker. It supports backing up systems and files. Click the below button to download it.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Also see: Windows 10 OEM vs Retail: What’s the Difference?
Final Words
Has this post answered your doubts about Windows 11 OEM? Do you have other ideas about them? Please leave a comment below and I will appreciate that. Besides, if you have any difficulty backing up your computer, you can send an email to [email protected] for help. We will reply to you as soon as possible.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.