Windows 8 versions and South African pricing explained

[Kelerei]

Let's just pretend I'm talking about 'my friend' here.

He feels bad for pirating past versions of Windows and wants to purchase Windows 8. He currently has Windows 7 Ultimate using the Windows7-Loader / OEM fix in order to have his copy considered valid and licensed. Would be be able to purchase an Upgrade and get Windows 8? Or does he have to purchase a full license and probably go 'meh' and continue using Win7?

The terms and conditions of the upgrade states: "You can install the upgrade only on PCs that have a valid base license and one of the following operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP (SP3)." I think it's safe to make bets that, in this case, his base license would not be considered valid, and therefore he would have to go the OEM/system builder route.

The Windows 8 upgrade assistant will probably let him know if it doesn't like his base license.

just bought Win 8 Pro from microsoft site = R380.30 at current exchange levels..
downloading now to pc..
i thought i would get an option for an .ISO file download so i can install on multiple PCs..

In a way, you are downloading the .iso right now. From installer screenshots that I've seen floating around, you'll get the option to create a bootable USB key or DVD, but only once the download has completed. (EDIT: as someone else posted while I was typing all of this out, you can still only upgrade one PC. This is really only for home/personal use; businesses still have their usual volume upgrade channels.)

I can understand why they'd try to make it easy for existing Windows users to upgrade, but they need to include both options in the installation. I mean WTF?!?! Any Power users will tell you that when you upgrade you're now going to have Windows 7's big ass installation on your HDD, including the Win8 files and a ton of Patch Cache folders and godknows what else.

This at a time when SSD's are starting to penetrate the market and OS size actually becomes an issue again for a lot of users.
Maybe my issues are a bit premature, I'd like to see the space requirements after an actual Win7 upgrade.

The "upgrade" installation apparently lets you do a reformat/repartition, so if you're concerned about space, or if you're anything like me and you want a "clean" install, you can do this. My understanding is though that you'll need to create a bootable USB key or DVD if this is the route you'd like to take, but I may be wrong here.

Ok I'm a bit confused here, firstly if I update from my windows 7 ultimate now I'll be fine, but what if I want to format my HDD in 6 months or so, or what if I upgrade my motherboard? What's that thing of a licence code lives and dies with a pc?

This has gotten me thinking a bit, and with all the information that I've seen out there, I have a theory that the "upgrade" paradigm is very different for Windows 8 -- where in the past, "upgrade" means an upgrade of your files and all of that (leaving a whole lot of crud on your system), "upgrade" is now simply a license upgrade (otherwise, why would the upgrade allow you to do a clean install?). That being said, if you previously had (have?) a valid Win 8 OEM license, you should be able to use the Windows 8 upgrade, but I'm not sure whether this also converts you to retail or still leaves you with the "live and die with the machine" OEM terms and conditions. I haven't been able to find any black and white answer on this.

Jees, the Microsoft site says you need 20GB's worth of space.
My C:\Windows (no user folders etc.) is already sitting at 38GB on my machine. So if I were to install the upgrade on my existing Win7 we're looking at +-58GB just for the OS? Ouch.

See my points above on clean installations and my theories on the redefinition of "upgrade".

 

[Ghost29]

just bought Win 8 Pro from microsoft site = R380.30 at current exchange levels..
downloading now to pc..
i thought i would get an option for an .ISO file download so i can install on multiple PCs..

You do get an ISO. Just wait for it to download. Say you want to install it on a removable medium. Click DVD, bingo iso away!

This is what I don't get. The upgrade assistant checks whether your version of Windows is eligible. After that you can do a completely clean install using the ISO. You don't have to install a previous windows each time. People seem really confused.

 

[MrNeedforSpeed]

Ok I'm a bit confused here, firstly if I update from my windows 7 ultimate now I'll be fine, but what if I want to format my HDD in 6 months or so, or what if I upgrade my motherboard? What's that thing of a licence code lives and dies with a pc?

From what I know if you upgrade the motherboard it is seen as a new machine, so your upgrade won't work....

 

[bigboy529]

So to confirm. I can update from my win 7 ultimate now, I will download the update, it will allow me to burn it on a DVD for future installations, if I install it will once check my win 7 ultimate licence, but if I must format in the future I can just pop in the win 8 disc I burned today for the installation?

 

[Ghost29]

So to confirm. I can update from my win 7 ultimate now, I will download the update, it will allow me to burn it on a DVD for future installations, if I install it will once check my win 7 ultimate licence, but if I must format in the future I can just pop in the win 8 disc I burned today for the installation?

This is certainly the impression I have been given.

 

[RaptorSA]

No it cleans out the Win 7 installation. Also if your Win7 folder is 38GB you probably still have the WinSXS for unistalling SP1, you can clean it out by running "dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded" in an administrator command prompt

My Win 8 Enterprise folder is 16.5GB

Don't take this the wrong way, but ... *hug*

 

[dazzazzad]

Let's just pretend I'm talking about 'my friend' here.

He feels bad for pirating past versions of Windows and wants to purchase Windows 8. He currently has Windows 7 Ultimate using the Windows7-Loader / OEM fix in order to have his copy considered valid and licensed. Would be be able to purchase an Upgrade and get Windows 8? Or does he have to purchase a full license and probably go 'meh' and continue using Win7?

I have a similar friend looking to get back on the straight and narrow. Looking like he might have to stay in the land of the pirates.

 

[LazyLion]

What an utter balls up!

But it is actually great news! It means Win8 is going to FAIL even faster than we originally thought!

 

[bigboy529]

This is actually so bad and a epic fail by Microsoft. Not one of these questions are suppose to be nececery. It all should have been plain simple and very clear. If we are so confused, imagine how non tech savvy average consumers must feal and they are 99% of the market, Microsoft must cater for them and not for us.

 

[nihilist]

What a bloody joke.

I phoned Microsoft to ask another question about XP - Win8 X64 upgrade. It took literally five minutes to give them my name and surname, the lines suck (my phone is fine) .. it's utterly pathetic getting any concrete info out of these guys.

 

[Kull Warrior]

thanks everyone for your input!

i chose the USB option , not the dvd iso one, does this mean i cant use the usb to install on other PCs ?

 

[e4et]

I have a similar friend looking to get back on the straight and narrow. Looking like he might have to stay in the land of the pirates.

Imagine that, i also know a friend like that, ai

 

[DaDon]

Busy downloading WIN8Pro, pricing is @ R 129.81.
So far I haven't gotten the option to choose USB / DVD, am I correct in saying this will come in the end?
Also, I do not want to upgrade now, but just buy it now - this is correct?

TiA
Cheers
D

 

[Cube]

Busy downloading WIN8Pro, pricing is @ R 129.81.
So far I haven't gotten the option to choose USB / DVD, am I correct in saying this will come in the end?
Also, I do not want to upgrade now, but just buy it now - this is correct?

TiA
Cheers

D

I got the option after download, during install (before the first reboot)

 

[grim]

Don't take this the wrong way, but ... *hug*

At first I was also like

Now once I'm used to it I miss it when working on 7 again.

 

[HelterSkelter]

I can understand why they'd try to make it easy for existing Windows users to upgrade, but they need to include both options in the installation. I mean WTF?!?! Any Power users will tell you that when you upgrade you're now going to have Windows 7's big ass installation on your HDD, including the Win8 files and a ton of Patch Cache folders and godknows what else.

This at a time when SSD's are starting to penetrate the market and OS size actually becomes an issue again for a lot of users.
Maybe my issues are a bit premature, I'd like to see the space requirements after an actual Win7 upgrade.

Then use the option under Settings to remove everything and reinstall Windows.

 

[noxibox]

I have a similar friend looking to get back on the straight and narrow. Looking like he might have to stay in the land of the pirates.

That's pretty much it. Microsoft are busy shooting themselves in the foot by being so sticky.

 

[gregmcc]

So if you have XP SP3 where do you go online to purchase the upgrade? Going to the windowsupgradeoffer it asks you when did you purchase your Win7 and you can only select 2012/2013?

Imagine that, i also know a friend like that, ai

Another hypothetical question. I have a friend that has XP running on a 1 machine. (I think he might have a legal copy) Is it possible to upgrade to Win8 but then use that upgrade to install it to another machine. Ie the old machine still has XP and another machine now with W8?

 

[HavocXphere]

Upgrade business is a total fail....even the damn previews were proper full installs.

The upgrade bullsht is SA only though afaik - other countries get the real deal. The listing only seems to have OEM though, not proper full edition.

I think I'll go for the 40USD offer though - probably won't install it, but I'm sure the price will increase so just covering that angle.

ZDNet reported earlier this year that a personal use clause has been added to the new Windows 8 system builder licenses.

About damn time they fix the conflicting messages they sent regarding this.

 

[BeVonk!]

I bought my XPS13 a few weeks ago and used the cheap upgrade to 8 offer. Upgrade done and dusted. Been playing with it for a few hours. NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL. Couldn't even find the off/sleep click button. Not user friendly at all. All those tiles are just crap more suitable for a tablet than PC/laptop.