Will you be able to install a clean version of Windows 8 with the Pro Upgra

[Elliot B.]

Will you be able to install a clean version of Windows 8 with the Pro Upgrade?

[Detection]

This is just a guess, but as you can not upgrade XP to 7, it has to be a clean install I would say the same would be true with 8

But not 100% sure, MS could have changed something in 8

[Elliot B.]

This is just a guess, but as you can not upgrade XP to 7, it has to be a clean install I would say the same would be true with 8

But not 100% sure, MS could have changed something in 8

That's a good point. Microsoft are offering Windows 8 Pro Upgrades for XP users and since XP can't be upgraded to 8 (I think), then the Pro Upgrade must be able to be installed as fresh.

[Detection]

That's a good point. Microsoft are offering Windows 8 Pro Upgrades for XP users and since XP can't be upgraded to 8 (I think), then the Pro Upgrade must be able to be installed as fresh.

Yea that was my thinking, and if the old regedit trick still works, you might not even need XP > 7 unless it is an online installer only (But then again, where would it store the upgrade files if it was going to clean install from them, think it must be possible with ISO / DVD)

[xendrome]

This is just a guess, but as you can not upgrade XP to 7, it has to be a clean install I would say the same would be true with 8

But not 100% sure, MS could have changed something in 8

Didn't they just say last week that you could upgrade from XP to 8, but it won't transfer programs, only personal settings/docs etc

[Detection]

Didn't they just say last week that you could upgrade from XP to 8, but it won't transfer programs, only personal settings/docs etc

I haven't read anything about the upgrade yet, I just read one line saying users will be able to upgrade from XP > 7

[Detection]

Didn't they just say last week that you could upgrade from XP to 8, but it won't transfer programs, only personal settings/docs etc

Looks like both are possible:

You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps. If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files. Of course, if you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along. Or if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8, not prior to it.

After your download finishes, you can choose to proceed with the upgrade (?Install now?) or install later either from your desktop or by creating your own media. If you choose to create your own media, you will be able to create your own bootable USB or .ISO file which can be burned onto a DVD for upgrade and backup purposes. If you prefer, you also have the option of purchasing a backup DVD for $15 plus shipping and handling.

Source:

[Elliot B.]

Fantastic :)

[Julius Caro]

sounds great. basically, none of us geeks want to go thru the update hassle because everything ends up broken and a mess.

[Ice_Blue]

Will this come with its own product key?

I know it may ask for an existing proof of purchase key, but...

[Detection]

Will this come with its own product key?

I know it may ask for an existing proof of purchase key, but...

Well up to now you have had to enter a unique Windows 8 key even to install it, grace period / pirate dream installs may be a thing of the past, Sinofsky has been pretty thorough in plugging the leaks

[Elliot B.]

Well up to now you have had to enter a unique Windows 8 key even to install it, grace period / pirate dream installs may be a thing of the past, Sinofsky has been pretty thorough in plugging the leaks

No chance :pirate:

[Detection]

No chance :pirate:

haha :D very true

[Chris123NT]

Yes, you will be able to perform a clean install with the upgrade deal installer, it will let you make an ISO for that purpose.

[FaiKee]

When using the WebInstaller, after download, if you choose "Install Now", it's an upgrade, if you choose "Install on another Partition", you can burn to ISO or USB FD for clean install, and you can burn as many times as you want.

MS just want to boost the win8 market-share, they simply don't give a damn if you want to keep your old windows or not.

[Noir Angel]

If you used a key for the upgrade edition but on a normal disk, would it still clean install properly? Usually I prefer to work with a clean retail disk for my installs?

[FaiKee]

I think the MS Blog had made it quite clear:

1. You can choose to "keep nothing" and make a fresh install over the old OS.

2. You can also use a media to install, and choose the "Disk Options -> format" to format the drive and then make a totally clean install.

Notice carefully it says "not prior to it" - that means the media must first find a windows on the target drive, it won't proceed if its a new HDD or you have pre-formated the drive. I have installed WCP and WRP with a ESD ISO, I didn't format and just let it install over the old OS, and put the old OS into windows.old.

When you download the ESD, suppose the running OS is en-US x86; then it will directly download win8 en-US x86 - and that's what upgrade means, you don't have an option to download any other version.

[FaiKee]

Actually I wouldn't worry too much about it, I know there is retail key and OEM key, with a retail key you could switch your windows to any number of machines, you just need to re-activate it everytime - I don't think there is a upgrade key.

Maybe the ESD image would only install to a drive with a old windows, but after the RTM is on technet(probably around mid-Aug), there would be plenty RTM image flying around.

So all you've got to do is, after you get the key, try it on a RTM ISO, if it works, then you don't have to worry about it. :)

[theyarecomingforyou]

From what I understand the upgrade procedure isn't any improvement over previous versions. You still need a previous Windows install, which is completely unnecessary.

When you go to buy the upgrade for Windows 8 Microsoft's website should allow you to enter your existing CD-key (for XP, Vista or 7) after which it gives you a new Windows 8 key which acts as the full version. As well as being able to download Windows 8 you should also be allowed to download a digital copy of your original operating system. However, in order to prevent people simply using it as a "free" / additional copy of Windows the activation limit for both products should be merged, cancelling out duplications (i.e. if you had a retail copy of XP that allows three activations and Windows 8 allows for two then you should be limited to three activations that applies for both products).

That said, as Windows 8 has the ability to perform a 'Reset' procedure there is no performance penalty and you shouldn't need to reinstall it again unless changing hard-drives (which with SSD advances still happens frequently enough).

[FaiKee]

From what I understand the upgrade procedure isn't any improvement over previous versions. You still need a previous Windows install, which is completely unnecessary.

When you go to buy the upgrade for Windows 8 Microsoft's website should allow you to enter your existing CD-key (for XP, Vista or 7) after which it gives you a new Windows 8 key which acts as the full version. As well as being able to download Windows 8 you should also be allowed to download a digital copy of your original operating system. However, in order to prevent people simply using it as a "free" / additional copy of Windows the activation limit for both products should be merged, cancelling out duplications (i.e. if you had a retail copy of XP that allows three activations and Windows 8 allows for two then you should be limited to three activations that applies for both products).

That said, as Windows 8 has the ability to perform a 'Reset' procedure there is no performance penalty and you shouldn't need to reinstall it again unless changing hard-drives (which with SSD advances still happens frequently enough).

The XP re-activation limit was a mis-concept, you can re-activate for indefinte times as long as MS is not suspecting the key is used for abusive purpose.

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/eu/genuinewindowsxp/thread/c2eeda0b-db51-4585-94c7-986356a268ad

When WindowsUpgradeAssistant checks on your PC, it probably will get the key in the OS, and if your agree to buy the upgrade and pays, MS will issue a new win8 key, then it may(or may not, I don't know) simply void the old key for the old OS.

If the old OS is XP on a P4(with NX, of course), by principle you can only install the win8 upgrade on the same P4, but I guess many people would love to install it to a new machine with Ivy Bridge or whatever.....in this case, if the key is a retail key, you can do that by using a RTM image to install.

[nytiger73]

This is actually running in circle a bit. I see where it says you can format and do a clean install, but the verbiage is unclear. What happens if you want to re-install Windows again at a late time? Do you just boot off of the DVD and format and proceed as normal? That is what is not entirely clear.

[FaiKee]

This is actually running in circle a bit. I see where it says you can format and do a clean install, but the verbiage is unclear. What happens if you want to re-install Windows again at a late time? Do you just boot off of the DVD and format and proceed as normal? That is what is not entirely clear.

From what I know, yes, the DVD will take it as a "Upgrade to windows 8 from windows 8"; you can then format the drive with the disk format function and then do another clean install.

[George P Global Moderator]

Unless told otherwise looks like I'll get paying for a 64bit copy.

[ahhell]

Didn't they just say last week that you could upgrade from XP to 8, but it won't transfer programs, only personal settings/docs etc

Yes, MS did say this. I guess people don't read the front page of Neowin. :rolleyes:

(32bit upgrade only of course)

[+Zlip792 MVC]

This explain quite simply all:

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/07/04/windows-8-new-installation-with-upgrade-not-possible/