Original Equipment Manufacturer

What is the difference between Windows OEM and retail?

In use, there is no difference at all between OEM or retail versions. The second major difference is that whereas when you buy a retail copy of Windows you can use it on more than one machine, although not at the same time, an OEM version is locked to the hardware on which it was first activated.

Is OEM the same as original?

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are built by the company that initially made the parts for the auto manufacturer. The OEM parts we carry are precisely the same as the part that came with your car. The difference is that it doesn’t carry the manufacturer’s logo.