So, does the upgrade "really" need to have anything previously on HD?

pparks1

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For those of you who have bought the upgrade and played around a bit, what is the real world answer here?

Can you take a running Windows 7 PC, go through the upgrade advisor, pay the $39, do the digital download, burn a DVD from the ISO and then take that installer to a computer with a completely blank hard drive, install it, input the CD key you get from the purchase and be on your merry way?

That's what I seem to be reading from a variety of sources. I want to be sure that I understand the process so I can answer correctly if somebody asks me.
 

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So in the end you have to have a valid Windows 7 OS (or other ones that are listed) to be able to clean install Windows 8. .
 

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I believe you have to have a valid Windows OS to run through the upgrade advisor and get the ISO download. But it doesn't seem like you have to have Windows installed on the HDD in order to actually do the download. That's what I am trying to get cleared up from somebody who has gone through the process.

Do you get a key with this ISO download, or are you supposed to use your existing Windows key when you install Windows 8 from this ISO download?

Edit: From what I have read, you have to provide BOTH the key from XP, Vista or 7...as well as the upgrade key that you get with the download. Can somebody please confirm?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
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    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
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    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
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    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
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    Antec P182
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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oh ok, so once the upgrade advisor knows that you have a valid windows version, it will then only allow you to download the ISO. I have read a lot of other posts where people install the windows 8 upgrade package on a brand new hard drive, no previous versions installed or anything like that...

I also found this which clears things up slightly
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...y-upgrade-version-install-other-computer.html
 

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    1x Samsung 830 128Gb
    3x Samsung 500Gb
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    Coolermaster 212 Hyper Evo
So in the end you have to have a valid Windows 7 OS (or other ones that are listed) to be able to clean install Windows 8. .

Yes, than you do a clean install legally.
 

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So in the end you have to have a valid Windows 7 OS (or other ones that are listed) to be able to clean install Windows 8. .

Yes, than you do a clean install legally.

Ah I see...and then with reference to my previous edited post with the link in it?
 

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    1x Samsung 830 128Gb
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Yes, this is what I am looking for clarification on.

Here is the reason I ask

--Back in July of 2009, I built my computer and I bought a copy of Vista 64-bit Ultimate for it with a coupon for a free upgrade to Windows 7. But instead of ever using that vista copy, i was playing with the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
--Then, I attended a Microsoft launch event called "The New Efficiency" and Microsoft handed out free copies of Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit at that show.

So, I used that "free" copy of Windows 7 Ultimate on my computer build from 2009.

Meanwhile, I did receive my "free" upgrade to Windows 7 that I was entitled to for having purchased Vista so close to the rollout date for Windows 7. Both disks have simply sat on my shelf collecting dust.

So, in theory I can buy an upgrade for Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 for this copy of Vista 64 that I bought...but is still in the shrink wrap and never used. So, I could leave my regular everyday Windows 7 machine as is, and potentially build a new computer and use Windows 8 upgrade on it from my Vista copy.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
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    Corsair 620HX modular
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    Antec P182
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
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    i7 920 @2.67Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI x58m
    Memory
    8Gb Corsair XMS3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5870
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 830 128Gb
    3x Samsung 500Gb
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 Hyper Evo
Yes, that sounds legal.
 

My Computer

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    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
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    Notebooks x 3

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So after installing Windows 8, I can reuse or even sell my retail Win 7 copy, not that I would want to sell it though.

You only need a valid version of windows installed to get the upgrade, and I got a new key for Wimdows 8 emailed to me, just need to wait for it to dowload (won't be dowloaded until tomorrow probably).
 

My Computer

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    Intel I7 980
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If you upgrade your copy, I do not think you have any right to then sell your copy of Windows 7.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
:ditto::ditto:
 

My Computer

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    Notebooks x 3

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    Towers x 4
You only need a valid version of windows installed to get the upgrade, and I got a new key for Wimdows 8 emailed to me, just need to wait for it to dowload (won't be dowloaded until tomorrow probably).

bhavv- would you mind explaining the process of what you did to get that product key emailed to you. the more details the better :)

Thank you in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
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    i7 920 @2.67Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI x58m
    Memory
    8Gb Corsair XMS3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5870
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 830 128Gb
    3x Samsung 500Gb
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 Hyper Evo
bhavv- would you mind explaining the process of what you did to get that product key emailed to you. the more details the better :)
Thank you in advance.

Nothing special, I went through the online upgrade process through MS's website, and after paying £24.99, it gave me a new key in the installation, and also in my email reciept.

If you upgrade your copy, I do not think you have any right to then sell your copy of Windows 7.

What if I'm upgrading my old Vista OEM and not my currently installed Windows 7 retail? :sarc:
 

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    Creative X-Fi Titanium HD
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Oki doki, thank you.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
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    i7 920 @2.67Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI x58m
    Memory
    8Gb Corsair XMS3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5870
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 830 128Gb
    3x Samsung 500Gb
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 Hyper Evo
I always thought that once a licence had been activated for either an install or an upgrade token. That it could then never be sold on or given away. As it then becomes licensed to you only. I am not sure on the actual legality's though.
 

My Computer

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    Asus/k52Jc
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I always thought that once a licence had been activated for either an install or an upgrade token. That it could then never be sold on or given away. As it then becomes licensed to you only. I am not sure on the actual legality's though.

Previous windows OEM licenses yes, retail no. Retail keys can be re used on any PC.

Also I still don't understand this 'upgrade token' thing, how do MS know which version of Windows I upgraded? Why am I forced to only upgrade my previously installed windows if I still have a valid serial for an older version?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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    Self built
    CPU
    Intel I7 980
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage III Extreme
    Memory
    12 Gb Geil Ultra Series
    Graphics Card(s)
    KFA2 Nvidia GTX 670
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G24
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 128 Gb + 512 Gb SSDs
    2 x Samsung 2 Tb HDDs
    PSU
    Tagan BZ-1100
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Phanteks ph-tc14pe
    Keyboard
    Microsoft sidewinder X4
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M8000X
    Internet Speed
    7.2 Mbps HSDPA
I was also wondering about this as well and this is what I found out,

I have had Windows 7 Pro Retail on my main PC went through the upgrade process to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, it did not ask for a W7 product key. It wanted the Windows 8 key that was included in the box and it activated correctly.

I have VMware Workstation and also installed Windows 8 (using the same key) on a blank VM to see if Windows 8 activated, it did not and gave the following error:
Windows8 Error.png

So it looks like you can't install this on a blank drive.

Another question comes up however, what if I wanted to do a clean install of Windows 8. Since I already have Windows 8 installed on the hard drive can I do a clean install using the same key? In theory I think that is correct but have never tried it...


Ryan
 

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