How to Convert OEM to Volume License
By Bennett Gavrish
Updated September 28, 2017
PC computer manufacturers include a single license of the Windows operating systems with the machines that they distribute. These licenses of Windows are considered Original Equipment Manufacturer copies, or OEM, since they will work with only the original computer. If your organization or company decides to purchase volume licensing of Windows, you can deactivate the OEM copy and convert computers to the new volume licensing copy instead.
Log on to the computer as an administrator, hold down the Windows key and the "R" key at the same time and then enter "regedit" into the dialog box that appears.
Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents directory in the registry.
Right-click on the item labeled "ODBETimer" and choose the "Modify" option.
Delete any character in the item's value and replace it with a number from 0 to 9 or a letter from A to F.
Press "OK" and close the Registry Editor tool.
Hold down the Windows and "R" keys again and run the "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a" command in the dialog box.
Select the "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows" option and press "Next."
Click on "Change Product key," enter the volume licensing product key in the appropriate field and then hit "Update."
Restart the computer to begin using the new volume licensing product key.
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Writer Bio
Bennett Gavrish is an I.T. professional who has been writing about computers, electronics and the Web since 2004. His work has appeared in the "Nashua Telegraph" and the "Daily Free Press" and on numerous websites. Gavrish received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University.