OEM Win 8 to Win 8 Pro upgrade question

thumpster

New Member
Messages
3
I apologize if this has been answered already elsewhere, the search didn't bear fruit. I'm trying to hunt down an answer for a family member and haven't had much luck as of yet. I even tried to call into Microsoft but their phone reps couldn't seem to understand the details of the question.

A computer was purchased with OEM Windows 8. The user wanted to upgrade to Win 8 Pro but is old fashioned and prefers to have disks for this type of thing so they purchased item 3UR-00001 from an online retailer. Reading into the details I see that this will for sure complete the upgrade from Win XP, Vista, 7, 8 Consumer Preview, and 8 Release Preview. However nowhere can I confirm one way or another if this item will bump us from OEM Win 8 to Win 8 Pro successfully.

I'm trying to locate a definitive answer before we open the package so it can be returned in case this will not do the job. Any help would really be appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Welcome to EightForums.

Upgrade Pro Pack 001.PNG

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Upgrading from Windows 8 Hp to Windows 8 Pro Pack use the Add features.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html

Upgrade Pro Pack 002.PNG
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I had actually planned on using the Add Features dialog just as that FAQ suggested using the product key that should be in the box they had purchased when I performed the upgrade for him. My worry, however, is for whether or not this upgrade is actually licensed for going from OEM Win 8 to Win 8 Pro.

I realize that it would have been simpler for him to purchase just the licence for the Win 8 Pro pack but he really is a stickler for having physical media.

What he had purchased appears to be the same as Microsoft Store Online. It specifically lists
To install Windows 8 Pro upgrade, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. If you would like to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro, click here.

I have not been able to locate an answer as to whether customers with Win 8 are directed to that Pro Pack just for simplicity sake, or because this full upgrade pack will not actually do the job.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I had actually planned on using the Add Features dialog just as that FAQ suggested using the product key that should be in the box they had purchased when I performed the upgrade for him. My worry, however, is for whether or not this upgrade is actually licensed for going from OEM Win 8 to Win 8 Pro.

I realize that it would have been simpler for him to purchase just the licence for the Win 8 Pro pack but he really is a stickler for having physical media.

What he had purchased appears to be the same as Microsoft Store Online. It specifically lists
To install Windows 8 Pro upgrade, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. If you would like to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro, click here.

I have not been able to locate an answer as to whether customers with Win 8 are directed to that Pro Pack just for simplicity sake, or because this full upgrade pack will not actually do the job.

Not sure if this helps but I was on the phone with a microsoft rep last night. I have pre-installed win 8 and the only option to upgrade is through pro pack. The win 8 pro ($39.99, digital DL) is for people that has win 7 or lower. I havent bought the Pro Pack yet, waiting until after work but it should upgrade oem/pre-installed 8 to pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 64bit pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    hp dv7 7247cl
    CPU
    i7-3630QM 2.4ghz
    Memory
    g.skill 16gb ddr3 12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 650m x2gb ddr5 & Intel 4000 HD
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 250gb ssd
    wd 1tb 5400 rpm
    Mouse
    Razer Orochi
Thanks synical. I actually called Microsoft 4 times and the answers were evenly split between, 2 yes it will perform the upgrade and 2 no it will not.

Having trouble trusting any of the answers a this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
np Thump. If anything I'll post back later tonight or tomorrow and let you know what happens.

Oh yeah I don't know if you know but if it came pre-installed. The product key is in the bios. It should be able to pick it up and install win 8 with no problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 64bit pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    hp dv7 7247cl
    CPU
    i7-3630QM 2.4ghz
    Memory
    g.skill 16gb ddr3 12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 650m x2gb ddr5 & Intel 4000 HD
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 250gb ssd
    wd 1tb 5400 rpm
    Mouse
    Razer Orochi
But what will happen to my OEM licence?

Welcome to EightForums.

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/10837-windows-8-eula.html

Microsoft said:
What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
But what will happen to my OEM licence?

Welcome to EightForums.

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/10837-windows-8-eula.html

Microsoft said:
What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

Ok, so basically I lose the licence rights. And it is also saying that I will lose the programs that came with this computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung Series 3 Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core i3
    Memory
    4 GB
Not sure if this helps but I was on the phone with a microsoft rep last night. I have pre-installed win 8 and the only option to upgrade is through pro pack. The win 8 pro ($39.99, digital DL) is for people that has win 7 or lower. I havent bought the Pro Pack yet, waiting until after work but it should upgrade oem/pre-installed 8 to pro.

I would really like to know if this works. I have a pc with Win 8 OEM on it, and am looking to install a new motherboard. The current one won't allow the installation of a GFX card even though it has a PCIe x16 slot.

If I buy an upgrade license on XP for $40, can I input that key on my machine already running Win 8 OEM? I would love to only pay $40 instead of $70 for the Pro Pack upgrade option.

If anyone has an answer for this question, please let me know!

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    CPU
    Core i5-3330 3.0GHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GeForce 650 2GB
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    PSU
    600w Thermaltake
    Case
    Gateway
    Mouse
    Logitech G700
    Internet Speed
    30Gbps Down, 5Gbps Up
No, only the OS is affected. Other software is not affected at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Yesterday I was able to upgrade OEM Win 8 to Pro using the $40 Pro upgrade key. Download the upgrade assistant. Right click the executable and go into Properties. Tell it to run in Win 7 compatible mode. Click ok. Then right click the exe and run as Administrator and go through the upgrade process. Afterwards you can grab the free Media Pack license from MS and install it.

Before doing that it would tell me the Pro key wasn't usable in my region/location or something like that. Afterwards the upgrade went without a hitch and left all my programs, settings and data intact.

As always in the systems world, your mileage may vary. :)

Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint and Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    16G
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 5400 rpm 1T and Seagate 7200 rpm 500G.
    Internet Speed
    30M down, 5M up
    Other Info
    Oracle Virtual Box
    Ubuntu 64 bit
Yesterday I was able to upgrade OEM Win 8 to Pro using the $40 Pro upgrade key. Download the upgrade assistant. Right click the executable and go into Properties. Tell it to run in Win 7 compatible mode. Click ok. Then right click the exe and run as Administrator and go through the upgrade process. Afterwards you can grab the free Media Pack license from MS and install it.

Before doing that it would tell me the Pro key wasn't usable in my region/location or something like that. Afterwards the upgrade went without a hitch and left all my programs, settings and data intact.

As always in the systems world, your mileage may vary. :)

Jeff

Welcome to EightForums.

The legal way to upgrade is with Windows 8 Pro Pack.

To upgrade Pro Pack
No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html
or
use the Windows 8 Pro OEM full version.

To upgrade Pro OEM full version.
No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I actually did this today. Used the $40 upgrade and it upgraded my new laptop from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro. My last laptop I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and actually broke the laptop before I could install it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
Back
Top