Is it legal to upgrade to Win 8 Pro from the Free Preview Edition?

Vince53

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Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
I upgraded my Free Preview Edition to Windows 8 Pro with no problems and it runs great. Of the two options it gave me, I chose "Clean Install." The Upgrade Assistant scanned my computer and said that I was allowed to upgrade. The following sources also say that it is legal:

Computerworld: "Microsoft has said that customers who downloaded and installed the free "Windows 8 Release Preview" will be able to upgrade to the paid version of the OS, but that those running the free trial of Windows 8 Enterprise RTM, or "release to manufacturing," which debuted in August, cannot."

TechRadar: "...you can't do a full upgrade from any of the preview versions of Windows 8; you'll need to either restore your previous version of Windows from a backup, do an upgrade that only keeps your files or do a clean installation."

Microsoft said in an FAQ posted on the company's TechNet support site. "If you have already installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview or Windows 8 Release Preview, you will be required to perform a clean install. The installation process will automatically create a 'Windows.old' folder that contains all files from your Windows 8 Consumer Preview or Windows 8 Release Preview installation." Computerworld
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I have sysimages of this machine with both Win 7 and Win 8 CP, so I should be OK either way.

I know I can u/g over W7 without issue, as that's what the Win 8 CP setup is, and I know everything works.

Can't u/g over this as it is the RTM trial...:-(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
Kat, upgrading from Windows 7 allows you to keep all your files, but thee are some issues:

1) Your copy of Win 7 is now illegal. You cannot install it onto another computer, because MS won't let you activate it.
2) Decades of experience has painfully taught us that a clean install is usually the best route to take.
3) If something fouls up, you've got a problem with your primary operating system.

I have 7&8 (and XP) all legally installed on my rig. I need to transfer one more program from 7 to 8 and then I'll be done. 7 does run some old games better than 8, so I'll be keeping it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
My W7 setup has had the DP, CP and RP tested on it as upgrades, and is still legal
and activated, but it looks like I won't be u/g-ing with the retail as I will be keeping
7 on the other laptop.

The u/g was a quick & dirty way to test program compatibility, which means I can
do a clean install knowing that everything will work with 8. And yes, I also have
decades of experience, I'm no noob, so can deal with any issues that arise. And I
agree that it can be fraught with those issues.

So, not a serious problem. And I'm perfectly happy with 8 anyway (now).

All good.....:geek::)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
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