Solved How does downloading win8 work?

Hey I was wondering if this Microsoft Store United Kingdom Online Store - Windows 8 is a full version of windows 8 and the download will let me make an iso to boot from on my new pc?(it is clean and there aren't any previous OS's on it)

thanks

That Microsoft page is confusing and doesn't seem to know which version it's on about.

In one place it suggests it's Windows N (which has some features removed) and it also says

To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows 8 Release Preview.

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but it's not the Pro version.

However £99 is a lot of money. In my view you're better off buying it from PC World where you can currently get the betterWindows 8 Pro upgrade version, on DVD media, at half the price of the lesser Windows 8. I think other online stores (Amazon etc.) will be similar prices.

The Pro upgrade version can be installed on a PC with a previous operating system, and has everything except Media Centre (which is only a few more pounds if you wanted it).

Edit: forgot to say - I'm assuming you're upgrading one of your previous OSs, which means you lose the rights to use it when you upgrade. If you want to install without upgrading an earlier OS, you need the system builder version, which I believe isn't available from the Microsoft Store.

my understanding is you cant install upgrade version without a previous OS?

stu01 said:

my understanding is you cant install upgrade version without a previous OS?

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Yes - just edited my comment as I wasn't sure what you meant when you said "(it is clean and there are previous OS's on it)" - are you planning to upgrade one of those previous OSs?

ah my mistake haha, It's supposed to say there aren't any previous OS's on it sorry will change that

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:

Purchasing a full version of Windows 8


If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you'll need to ask a sales rep for more info. This version doesn't include customer support.

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I think you want the System Builder version then. Some details about licensing are here:
Personal Use Licence

I've not found it in the Microsoft Store though; think you need to go elsewhere. I think it's on Amazon but note the actual Microsoft version of the licence - I don't think Amazon get it right.

Thanks guys shame no download for this have ordered full oem copy

For UK

Microsoft Windows 8 DVD - 64 Bit - OEM | WN7-00403

I was in Tesco last night and saw win8 pro upgrade for £49.95.

stu01 said:

Hey I was wondering if this Microsoft Store United Kingdom Online Store - Windows 8 is a full version of windows 8 and the download will let me make an iso to boot from on my new pc?(it is clean and there aren't any previous OS's on it)

thanks

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What is depicted is an upgrade version (not a full install version such as system builder)--although, generally speaking, the upgrade version can be used to do a clean install. If, in the U.S., I used Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant - Download and Run, then I could choose to download an ISO that could be used to make an upgrade install DVD (or flash drive). I could purchase an upgrade disc set at the same time. The set would include upgrade discs for both 64 bit and 32 bit (whether pro or core).

I could do a clean install (http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html) without qualifying software being installed. However, I, in all likelihood, would have to activate using the refresh procedure described here: Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade. I still would need to have qualifying software, upon which I would forfeit my right to use, to be EULA consistent.

Some call the refresh procedure a work around. Call it what you want, but I think the refresh procedure is legit. It prevents the formality of installing the qualifying software in order to install the upgrade software from having to be carried out. It also provides an activation procedure for clean reinstalls of Win8.

Perhaps the U.S. procedures described above correspond more or less 1-to-1 with what is involved in the link you provide.