Windows 8 Pro, Ultimate Upgrade $39.99

[lkailburn]

Btw all this talk of rendering the "old" OS key useless is a bit misleading. Your old key is still valid for that OS and you could reinstall with just that OS on the computer. You cannot upgrade to 8 and then try and use your old OS key on a different machine. Think of it like a DLC. Just because you added dawn guard to skyrim doesn't mean you can give skyrim to a friend to also install. But if you didn't like dawn guard you can reinstall just skyrim. (a funny comparison but you get the idea)
People were making it out to sound like if you use the upgrade to 8 option you could never go back to the old OS with the old license.

 

[sygyzy]

Are there any compatibility issues that usually occur when a new Windows OS comes out? For example, not being able to run any Windows 7 apps or games? If not, I'll upgrade this weekend.

 

[Elixer]

Are there any compatibility issues that usually occur when a new Windows OS comes out? For example, not being able to run any Windows 7 apps or games? If not, I'll upgrade this weekend.

I don't know what the rush is, you got a few months to get in on this deal.
Let other people be guinea pigs, and then you can have a clearer picture in a couple of months.

 

[ElFenix]

Found this at MS:

So apparently if you run the Upgrade Assistant with a 32bit system, it'll only give you that version, and same for 64bit.

yeah just saw that and was coming here to post it.

i'm hoping the iso i'm burning allows me to install as 64 bit, 32 is limited

 

[Rvenger]

Ok, I purchased the $40 upgrade and reinstalled windows 7 without even entering a key. I used the Windows 8 ISO and installed the upgrade without even putting in my Windows 7 key. Windows 8 installed and activated without even touching my Windows 7 license


EDIT: Installing on my main rig right now and I just did a clean install and the key worked

 

[thestrangebrew1]

The full versions are pretty cheap at Microcenter:

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?Ntt=windows+8

 

[lkailburn]

Are there any compatibility issues that usually occur when a new Windows OS comes out? For example, not being able to run any Windows 7 apps or games? If not, I'll upgrade this weekend.

At the moment kaspersky av 2012 is not compatible and my ati control center is having trouble but that might just need a reinstall I haven't had time to test. Other than that nothing on my work laptop had issues. Office(obv), quick books, Dropbox, MozyPro, etc all worked 100% after the upgrade. No issues with lost data either

 

[bigi]

Does it ask you at some point 32/64bit? Also, is the key mailed to you separately, IE if you wanted to burn the .iso and install it on a different computer than the one you purchased it on, could you?

No, it did not ask for 32/64 bit. It went with 64 in my case, which is what was desired. The key is displayed by the MS DL manager once you downloaded the software and it is emailed as well.

 

[Wag]

There are no Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Win8 drivers out yet so if your motherboard needs them don't upgrade yet, I am reading there are issues. Luckily I just have a USB hub that needs those drivers, but currently I am SOL.

 

[Rvenger]

There are no Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Win8 drivers out yet so if your motherboard needs them don't upgrade yet, I am reading there are issues. Luckily I just have a USB hub that needs those drivers, but currently I am SOL.

Mine seems to have good speeds but I plugged in a USB 2.0 device and the transfer froze and dropped out. I am having some driver issues, that's for sure.


Thanks for confirming that because I was looking for the 3.0 driver. It seems that there is no Intel chipset drivers either. Should I be installing the ME driver?

 

[Denithor]

Found this at MS:

So apparently if you run the Upgrade Assistant with a 32bit system, it'll only give you that version, and same for 64bit.

Anyone know if this key is actually tied to 32/64 bit version of the OS?

I'm in a semi-strange situation. Rebuilding my dad's computer (ancient Compaq) with new innards. But it currently 'works' so I thought maybe I could purchase the Win 8 Pro key while on that box (that qualifies - without losing rights to any of my other OS's) and then move the HDD onto the new setup and install Win 8 Pro there. Problem being - the old box is 32-bit only and I definitely want the 64-bit version for the new build.

So, wondering if I could buy the key on his old build, download the 64-bit ISO and install that on the new build.

Anyone tried anything similar or have input on situation?

Thanks!

 

[AlexAL]

I'll wait for the ATI 12.11 drivers and give 8 Pro 64 a spin.

 

[balloonshark]

Found this at MS:

Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8? Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8, but you'll need to buy Windows 8 as a DVD.
You also won't be able to keep any files, settings, or apps when you upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version.

So apparently if you run the Upgrade Assistant with a 32bit system, it'll only give you that version, and same for 64bit.

This is BS :thumbsdown:. Is there any way around this stupid rule? This rule will exclude millions of people that want to get in on this upgrade offer.

Is there a way to get in on the deal without running the worthless 'upgrade assistant'?

 

[Rio Rebel]

I have a case in with Microsoft. If I can't get the 64bit, I am requesting a refund.

I believe you can get the 64bit with a 32bit OS if you request the DVD, which unfortunately doubles the price.

 

[TemjinGold]

Would love to jump on this but before I do, can anyone who has it confirm whether you can double install this clean instead of installing 7 then installing this over? To be clear, I own 7 and every version before it but the only thing keeping me from buying is if I need to first install 7 before installing this every time I wipe as that would be a huge pain. If only the system builder version can do that clean, I may just wait till there's a deal on that instead.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Would love to jump on this but before I do, can anyone who has it confirm whether you can double install this clean instead of installing 7 then installing this over? To be clear, I own 7 and every version before it but the only thing keeping me from buying is if I need to first install 7 before installing this every time I wipe as that would be a huge pain. If only the system builder version can do that clean, I may just wait till there's a deal on that instead.

I was on the phone with microsoft yesterday about ths because I wanted to upgrade vista first, then do a clean install on a new ssd. They said unfortunately you have to install a windows OS on the new ssd, then do the upgrade on that new installation. Otherwise you'd have to buy the full version and do a fresh install. I've been looking all over for a downloadable full version, and it's not available according to MS.

 

[MadScientist]

Would love to jump on this but before I do, can anyone who has it confirm whether you can double install this clean instead of installing 7 then installing this over? To be clear, I own 7 and every version before it but the only thing keeping me from buying is if I need to first install 7 before installing this every time I wipe as that would be a huge pain. If only the system builder version can do that clean, I may just wait till there's a deal on that instead.

Although he is upgrading from a non-legit Win 7 it's a good guide to the installation process. http://www.davejunia.com/2012/10/windows-8-pro-upgrade-experience/
Make sure you burn the iso file to a DVD or copy it to a USB drive.

I did a clean install on my HTPC (not my main rig); booted from the DVD, formatted my drive, and installed. You will need to input your Win 8 key for a clean install.

 

[TemjinGold]

Awesome, thanks!

Interesting... so the upgrade is a full version if you do it this way? Does anyone know if those retail copies for the Staples/Newegg/Amazon/etc. deals are full also?

Also, would I be able to burn more than one copy for backup? I mean, I don't see why they shouldn't allow this since it's the product key that you need to use the copy.

 

[Athena]

I've been looking all over for a downloadable full version, and it's not available according to MS

I don't think there is such a thing as a retail full-version package. You can get an OEM full-version at Newegg but that runs about $100.

 

[Athena]

Is there a way to get in on the deal without running the worthless 'upgrade assistant'

I took advantage of the Staples offer (expires tonight) and got the DVDs for $40 (no rebate). The package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit disks so you should be able to upgrade from 32-bit without problem.

 

[TemjinGold]

I took advantage of the Staples offer (expires tonight) and got the DVDs for $40 (no rebate). The package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit disks so you should be able to upgrade from 32-bit without problem.

Can you confirm if those disks can do a clean install w/o needing previous windows like this update assistant one can?

 

[BladeVenom]

Win 8 should just be 64 bit. 64 bit desktops have been around for 9 years now.

 

[Athena]

Can you confirm if those disks can do a clean install w/o needing previous windows like this update assistant one can?

I'm sorry, I've never installed an upgrade without having a previous version of Windows installed. This one seems to work essentially as the old one did, for a "clean install", you select "keep nothing" and proceed. Since the package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit disks, you can use whichever one you want for the new installation.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Ok, based on my inability to follow directions I may have some useful info:

If you buy the digital download of Windows 8, you are only going to be allowed to download 32 or 64 bit based on whether your OS is 32 or 64 bit (nothing new there, I know.) If you screw up and run the program on a machine with a 32bit OS, all is not lost. You can go back and download it again on a 64bit machine. In my case, I just had to go to my laptop with Win7 64, run the upgrade assistant, and it downloads Win8 64 which I can now install wherever I wish as long as I'm upgrading an eligible Windows OS.

If you don't have a system with a 64bit Win7 or Vista or XP, then you can't get the 64bit Win8...unless you run it from someone else's 64 bit machine. Remember, the upgrade assistant does not change the system you run it on, it just determines which Windows 8 you can download.

The same key is used to unlock the 32 or the 64 bit versions...so no way to cheat the system and get both versions.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Correction - as Athena indicated, the dvd contains both the 32 and 64 bit versions. So if you buy the upgrade dvd or if you use the digital download and then pay for the physical dvd media (another 15 bucks) you can go from a 32bit to 64bit that way.