Win 8.1 install: re-deployable to dissimilar hardware

DarkBlue

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Hello!

Preface:
In a couple of weeks' time, I am going to buy a new notebook (UEFI). This will have Win 8.1 or 8, Pro or Non-Pro, _preinstalled_ by the OEM company (likely Samsung ATIV book plus).
(Side remark: I never want to be working with Windows 8.0, and also never with a non-pro version. So in any case, 8.1 Pro needs to be the installed OS, in the end. )

The issue:

I have a Macrium Reflect professional license that allows me to redeploy a Windows version to dissimilar hardware. The notebook, as well as future notebooks, will obviously have UEFI / a key bound to hardware.

I would like to be able to transfer the complete installation to a different, new (faster) notebook in 2 years' time, or in case of emergency (malware, hardware defect). I do not want to run into installation and/or licensing issues in the process. I am willing to buy a separate license (with a sticker, for instance), if necessary. (This is one of my questions: Is it necessary to ditch the pre-installed windows license/installation to make this work.)

I have read about all sorts of problems in this context, but nothing that reflects exactly this scenario, and whether problems will arise and what to pay attention to.

Thanks to anyone for helping, in advance.

D.

Added note: I will also buy a notebook pc for relatives, same procedure, but 8.1 "basic", not pro. in case this makes a difference.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro 32, soon Win 8.1 Pro 64
You can read about the System Builder OEM Licensing here:

OEM System Builder Licensing

Note that there are differences between the following:

Buying a PC/laptop with OEM pre-installed OS
Purchasing an OEM disk and installing under a Personal Use License (new 2012)
Purchasing an OEM disk and installing under a System Builder License

I understand that I am not answering your question directly. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I would like to be able to transfer the complete installation to a different, new (faster) notebook in 2 years'

No, you can not transfer the OS to a new PC, as this is a OEM manufacturer's PC licence.

View attachment Core Licenses.zip

Microsoft said:
Can I transfer the software to another user? You may transfer the software directly to another user, only with the licensed computer. The transfer must include the software, proof of purchase, and, if provided with the computer, an authentic Windows label such as the certificate of authenticity label including the product key. You may not keep any copies of the software or any earlier version. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.
 
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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
@theog

thank you, this was really helpful, I have only found and read the license agreement for personal use OEM, so far.

So, does this, in turns, mean the following: If a user uses a pre-installed version (with all the configuration work and installed programs), and makes system images, he is actually typically NOT protected from having to set up a pc from afresh in case of failure and subsequent moving to another system. In other words, he is only protected if he chooses to buy and install an "OEM license for personal use" (typically additional to the pre-installed windows, many systems cannot be bought without OS.)

If this is true, I find it interesting that imaging/backup companies do not point the user to the need to NOT use pre-installed versions, unless they are fine with not being able to migrate to a different notebook / motherboard.

The "Default" license (which I suppose is the personal use license), as opposed to your quoted license (which I suppose is OEM pre-installed license), reads:

CanI transfer the software to another computer or user? Youmay transfer the software to another computer that belongs toyou.You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to acomputer owned by someoneelseif a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the newuser agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer,you must transfer the original media, the certificate ofauthenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly tothat other person, without retaining any copies of the software. Youmay use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that thesoftware came on to transfer the software. Anytimeyou transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove thesoftware from the prior computer.

As you can see, this is about "another _computer_ OR user".

I cannot see why you wrote "can", instead of "cannot", in your first sentence.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro 32, soon Win 8.1 Pro 64
I just see these licenses have been created 2012-06. To my knowledge, microsoft has changed the terms shortly after (the new personal use license for instance). I might be wrong, but I believe so. Anyway, this probably does not change that OEM pre-installed licenses cannot be transferred, but the purchased OEM personal license can - all this as far as I can see. (Don't be fooled, they named personal licenses "OEM". yes, people WILL be confused by this, and already are.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro 32, soon Win 8.1 Pro 64
I cannot see why you wrote "can", instead of "cannot", in your first sentence.
typo.

On a OEM manufacturer's PC with Windows 8 Core Pre-Installed, you can not change the OS to OEM/Retail, (OEM license for personal use)
but you can upgrade to Pro Pack.

Only the upgrade Pro Pack is transferable.

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

microsoft said:
Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new
 

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
Thank you.

So, am I correct in the following -->

>>>>>>
(A) If the notebook comes with Win 8(.1) Core preinstalled, I have the choice between

(I) buying a full 8(.1) Pro OEM personal license and doing a clean install, and
(II) buying the Pro Pack and upgrading the manufacturer-installed OS (at the cost of still having the bloatware/oem drivers)​
Either way has the same effect regarding my license (making it transferrable).​

(b) If the notebook comes with Win 8.(1) Pro preinstalled, I need to buy a full 8(.1) Pro OEM personal license in any case, and do a clean install.

(Side remark: So if a notebook comes with Core preinstalled, getting a transferable Pro Version migth actually be cheaper than if you have Pro preinstalled, provided the Pro Pack is cheaper than the Pro OEM personal license.)
<<<<<

Is all of this correct?

Have there been actual cases where people wanted to transfer manufacturer-installed windows 8 installation images (post mid 2012) and microsoft and/or the oem manufacturer denied any way of transferring them to a new, different machine? Even when the machine got stolen? Or are users than forced to buy an identical pc from the manufacturer, if they want their installation up and running again? (Sounds odd, I know.) In fact, if all this is true, it seems like manufacturer-installed Core licenses are at an advantage because one could still upgrade them to pro, after installation has been configured and programs are installed, thus making them transferrable - whilst owners of manufacturer-installed Pro versions are stuck?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro 32, soon Win 8.1 Pro 64
DarkBlue said:
(A) If the notebook comes with Win 8(.1) Core preinstalled, I have the choice between

(I) buying a full 8(.1) Pro OEM personal license and doing a clean install, and
(II) buying the Pro Pack and upgrading the manufacturer-installed OS (at the cost of still having the bloatware/oem drivers)

Either way has the same effect regarding my license (making it transferrable).

NO.
Only the upgrade Pro Pack is transferable, you would need to reinstall the upgrade using
To upgrade to Pro Pack
No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html


(b) If the notebook comes with Win 8.(1) Pro preinstalled, I need to buy a full 8(.1) Pro OEM personal license in any case, and do a clean install.

NO, the clean install would use the Windows 8 Pro Pre-installed product key coded in to the BIOS.


Have there been actual cases where people wanted to transfer manufacturer-installed windows 8 installation images (post mid 2012) and microsoft and/or the oem manufacturer denied any way of transferring them to a new, different machine? Even when the machine got stolen? Or are users than forced to buy an identical pc from the manufacturer, if they want their installation up and running again? (Sounds odd, I know.) In fact, if all this is true, it seems like manufacturer-installed Core licenses are at an advantage because one could still upgrade them to pro, after installation has been configured and programs are installed, thus making them transferrable - whilst owners of manufacturer-installed Pro versions are stuck?

If you transfered a Pre-installed Windows 8 to different machine, would not boot or Windows would De-activate.
 

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
If it is correct that the Pro Pack can only be administered to Core versions (both to manufacturer OEM Core version and to personal license OEM Core), wouldn't that entail that users of manufacturer OEM Pro licenses will have a disadvantage over Core users as they cannot make their versions transferrable? Is this correct? Would seem strange.

Edit: Re W8 vs. W8.1: since the 8.1 upgrade is free, W8 CDs seem "equivalent" to 8.1 in terms of having a 8.1 license. However, using a Win8 CD (and then upgrading for free) entails using the Win8 installer routine that will make things difficult on OEM systems. It might be interesting to see if Win 8.1 OEM pers. licence CDs will have an improved installer. (I wonder what the 8.1 preview installer is like.)
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro 32, soon Win 8.1 Pro 64
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