Purchasing Windows 8 Pro

By +Nik Louch
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Grand Master

+Nik Louch Subscriber²

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OK, sorry for the 100% noob question, but am slightly confused.

I have a hackintosh - that's not important beyond it's not running Windows in any way.

I want to buy Windows 8 Pro. But am a little confused - everything seems to be an upgrade. Where do I buy a 100% legit, non-upgrade, fresh install?

UK please...

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Grand Master

+Nik Louch Subscriber²

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Now, I don't know if it's safe to ask this...

I could wipe my drive. Install Win 7 without a serial (how?) but then if I upgrade to Win 8 - and put the serial for Win 8 in - it becomes legit?

Doesn't that mean I have technically upgraded illegitimately?

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jesseinsf

Posted
Posted

OK, sorry for the 100% noob question, but am slightly confused.

I have a hackintosh - that's not important beyond it's not running Windows in any way.

I want to buy Windows 8 Pro. But am a little confused - everything seems to be an upgrade. Where do I buy a 100% legit, non-upgrade, fresh install?

UK please...

The purchasing process scans your computer for a previous version of windows, it tells you what apps and drivers are and are not compatible. Once you purchase Windows 8, I believe it binds your New Serial key with the Serial Key of the previous version of windows. After you download it you will have the choice to install later. It is that time you are given the option the either burn a DVD or make a bootable USB. You can then perform a clean install. I did it and it worked for me. Well I upgraded first, then a month later I did a clean format and install. :-)
Grand Master

primexx

Posted
Posted

You need to buy an OEM licence for a fully new key, but be careful, they don't advertise this fact but I got burned by it: OEM versions are defective by design in that they artificially break touch functionality in non-Win8 certified hardware, so if you have any existing touch devices don't get an OEM licence.

I think you can try installing a no licence key Win7 and run the upgrade wizard to see if it lets you. As long as you get a new Win8 key and the ISO to burn, you should be set.

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

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yes, you could install windows 7 without a key then run the upgrade agent and it would work just fine.

as long as it detects a version of windows on your computer that's all the upgrade agent cares about

you can download the windows 7 ISOs directly from Microsoft legally, just google it

Grand Master

neo1911

Posted
Posted

If you care so much about morality, buy the system builder version at full price. Guarantees complete peace of mind.

OR

Buy Windows 8 upgrade code by running upgrade assistant on some other computer. Once you have the receipt which mentions your product upgrade key, fresh install the Pro version by wiping your hackintosh. Then do the reg tweak mentioned here and it should accept your upgrade key and activate. Once activated, use Advanced Tokens Manager to backup your activation and restore whenever you format or get your PC riddled with viruses.

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