STD : Stander (untouched)
ESD >
(Electronic Software Distribution)
a system for selling software over a network. ESD systems provide secure communications that customers use to download and pay for software. These systems can operate over the Internet or on a direct modem -to-modem connection. ESD systems can also allow users to use software for a trial period before purchasing.
OEM : (
Original
Equipment
Manufacturer) oem activation mean it will use the key in the BIOS or the UEFI to activated windows it only come with manufactured computer like (Dell , HP , ASUS , ACER , toshiba.......) <----
This legit way to activate your windows
* ( OEM - = Activation excludes manufacturers info etc )
* ( OEM + = Activation includes manufacturer's info etc )
KMS : (
Key
Management
Server) the original meaning for this is a microsoft server that check if you have a legit key it will activate you windows , the Warez meaning of this is to redirect the Windows Process Activation Service to connect to a fake KMS server and always replay that's a legit key
MSDN : (Microsoft Developer Network) if someone say this an MSDN windows that mean MSDN was the source for it maybe it's a beta or final release but the main point here it's not a leaked version it's totally was released for developers or testers (trustful source)
RTM : (
Released
To
Manufacturers) it mean what microsoft did release for peoples as a final product at it's stable. TH2 also listed as build.
OPK : The Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (Windows OPK) is a set of tools and documentation that support automated installation and customization of the following Windows operating systems:
- Windows 7 with Service Pack 1
- Windows Vista with Service Pack 1
- Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1
- Windows Server 2008
ADK : The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) is a collection of tools and documentation that you can use to customize and deploy Windows and Windows Server operating systems to new computers and servers. It includes the deployment tools that were previously released as part of the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) and has two key scenarios:
- Windows deployment
- Windows assessment
Preactived : As it says its already activated. But this copy is given with some systems like dell, HP..etc which can be used with that system only. If u use that with other system it needs activation. Even other system of same brand say dell needs activation.
Actived & Preactived : If Windows is pre-installed on a computer by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the operating system is automatically activated without the need for interaction from the user. In this case, the copy of Windows installed does not use the product key listed on the certificate of authenticity, but rather a master product key issued to OEMs called a System Locked Pre-installation (SLP) key.
MSDN TH2 mean the 2nd public release of windows 10 (threshold 2) so it's untouched new windows 10 (updated)
Pre-installed in Audit Mode : Audit mode is a preinstalled environment as admin and all the software or updates will be saved , than make an image out of it (wim file)
Pre-activated means it have windows loader or KMS to activate windows first time windows start after fresh install.
Hope that help you to pick something likely and reliable for you.
Note: If your PC have a legit windows key , Yes use OEM , if not use KMS cause RTM isn't activated but it's untouched so it's 100% clean.
Thanks
@aXeSwY for providing me this helpful guide, and few of these added here by me.
