Windows 8.1 licensing options...

Cr00zng

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I have a Mac Book Pro 2013, where I intend to install Windows 8.1 Pro, either via Bootcamp or Parallel. Couple of questions for this scenario...

I understand that I'll need to purchase a license, but... What's the advantage of getting a retail/boxed full version vs. OEM 64-bit full version? Can the retail version be moved to a PC platform, if I no longer need Windows 8.1 on the Mac Book? Also...

Do I need to activate Windows during installation, or can it be bypassed and use Windows for couple of days and then activate it? By no means I am looking for circumventing licensing, I'd just would not like to use the license key, if Windows won't work on the Mac Book. The chances are the Windows 8.1 will run just fine, but having couple of days to test it would be nice...
TIA...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
If you have internet access windows will automatically try to activate online, if you cancel it a watermark will show up on the desktop, several settings will be disabled (like lock up screen personalization) and a notification appears from time to time. But the OS will still work.

If you simply want to test it on your mac book, I'd advise disabling or turning off any network card or wireless card, that way windows won't be able to activate.

As far as I know, when you buy an OEM version and install it on a pc, the OS is tied to that system and you can't install it on another. Retail version can be installed on multiple PCs, but can only be used one at a time, basically once you're done with a PC, you can still use your retail version for a new install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you want to operate Windows 8.1 without any licensing ties (or expenditure) for up to 90 days - There is the Enterprise evaluation route: Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation
You will need a Microsoft live account - which is easy enough to set up -to access the download registration, and I believe that Microsoft now has a downloader to help with large file downloads.

Enterprise Evaluation is very similar to the Pro version of Windows 8.1.

Otherwise, there is a virtual machine route - For Parallels, VMWare, or VirtualBox on Mac, with 32-bit evaluation VMs available here:

Virtual Machine (VM), Windows Virtual PC & Browserstack | Modern.IE
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
As far as I know, when you buy an OEM version and install it on a pc, the OS is tied to that system and you can't install it on another. Retail version can be installed on multiple PCs, but can only be used one at a time, basically once you're done with a PC, you can still use your retail version for a new install.

I could not find the license agreement for 8.1 Pro, but 8.0 Pro license states this:

You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. … You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers.

Unless MS changed the licensing terms, I should be a OK with 8.1 The retail version has been renamed as "System Builder Product--Personal Use License". No more bulky packaging, looks similar to OEM packages that are non-transferable.

If you want to operate Windows 8.1 without any licensing ties (or expenditure) for up to 90 days - There is the Enterprise evaluation route: Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation
You will need a Microsoft live account - which is easy enough to set up -to access the download registration, and I believe that Microsoft now has a downloader to help with large file downloads.

Enterprise Evaluation is very similar to the Pro version of Windows 8.1.

Otherwise, there is a virtual machine route - For Parallels, VMWare, or VirtualBox on Mac, with 32-bit evaluation VMs available here:

Virtual Machine (VM), Windows Virtual PC & Browserstack | Modern.IE

The Enterprise version of Windows 8.1 is not supported by Bootcamp, just the 64-bit Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro.

Thanks for the link and will try the VM evaluation version, if Parallel used...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
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