Upgrade without current XP Install

After spending 45 minutes on the phone (after a 10 minute hold time) with Microsoft's outsourced support team, I'm still confused and frustrated. Hopefully someone at this forum can point me in the right direction.

I have a licensed copy of Windows XP sitting in a box. It's not currently installed on any computers. Does this qualify me for the Windows 8 Pro Upgrade license? If so, how do I go about downloading a Windows 8 upgrade? My computer doesn't have a CD drive, so I'd prefer to download Windows. However, if that's not an option, I can buy a CD and use a friend's computer to transfer the software onto a USB drive. My computer is currently running Ubuntu Linux, and I'd like to add a Windows partition for dual boot, ideally without having to install my ancient copy of Windows XP first.

Is it still considered an "upgrade" if the old software is not installed on the computer, provided that I have a properly licensed copy of Windows XP?

Thank you

when windows installer looks on your hd for a proper licensed copy of windows, it wont find one, so no, you cant install an upgrade version of win 8

...unless you install RP first. My "upgrade" was happy with that - no code required....

Dell Inspiron 1501

So even though I meet the requirements for an upgrade, Microsoft is going to charge me an extra $100 to buy a "System Builder" copy of Windows? I paid a lot of money for Windows XP, and it would be nice if it counted for something. If I waste an afternoon and install my copy of Windows XP, then download Windows 8 will it let me do a clean install? I don't want to have Windows 8 installed over a decade-old copy of Windows XP.

These licensing nightmares is why my company switched to Ubuntu. If only our accountant would work with Linux-friendly software we wouldn't need to have a single copy of Windows installed.

Sorry...didn't see your reply Mad Horseman. What's an RP?

fgw said:

Sorry...didn't see your reply Mad Horseman. What's an RP?

Click to expand...

I'm not Mad Horseman, but the RP is the Release Preview. The rules state that an upgradeable OS had to be in place before installing the RP for the upgrade to work, but I believe that isn't physically necessary.

If you install XP, that qualifies for the Win8 upgrade. A clean install isn't just allowed, it's mandatory: no upgrade-in-place from XP or Vista. (Only from Windows 7.)

I'm unaware of any hacks to install a Win8 upgrade without having a qualifying OS on the PC. There are methods for Windows 7, but I haven't seen anything comparable for 8.

Hi,

I had CP on the old Dell, then replaced that with the RP. From within the RP, I did the "upgrade to Pro" and saved docs & settings. At no point did the upgrade advisor or the Win 8 Pro ask for any other codes. (I do have several licences which give me a clean conscience!)

Regards