Installing Win 8 to an SSD without a disk (OEM copy on HD)

Dear folks,

I just bought a Dell 8500 and it came with Win 8 installed on the HD. My plan was to install an SSD (which I have) to use as my boot drive, and to put Win 7 on it (because I had assumed, wrongly, that a piece of hardware I owned didn't have Win 8 drivers). Then the machine came and while initially I kind of hated Win 8 in the past day or two of playing around with it I've decided I like it after all (this after ordering Win 7 from Amazon, which will get here today for me to install -- I'll see if I can return it unopened if I get the right answer here).

So... I know how to install Win 7 onto an SSD without the install disks, from this link:

How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc | PCWorld

which I did with my old Dell (using my Win 7 serial number) but it doesn't work with Win 8 because there's no Digital River download of the Win 8 ISO that I can find so I can't do the same thing with this Dell and the serial number they've provided. I know there's a "restore" partition on the HD from the Dell, but I don't think that will help me get Win 8 installed on the SSD (if I'm wrong someone can correct me here). I don't want to clone or otherwise do anything than a clean install if I can help it.

On another forum someone in a similar situation got the answer to download the Win 8 trial and then use their serial number -- is this what I should try? I also think I can get a disk from Dell but I *think* that's just another restore disk and not a complete Win 8 install disk.

TIA for any help.

EDIT:
Ah, a quick look around and I can't even *find* a trial of Win 8 (at least on the Microsoft site).

Now I'm feeling a little doomed.

Welcome to EightForums.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


You could have ordered your Windows 7 here:
How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
I would order Windows 8.
Dell - Support



To install Windows 7:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

You will need to buy a Windows 7 product key.

Maybe I wasn't clear -- I don't want Windows 7 anymore (and I'm going to return it to Amazon). I want to move Win 8 to my SSD.

I don't think the recovery disks will do that (because I need a fresh install on the SSD according to all sources I've read for best speed).

Got off the chat with Dell and they will send me a Win 8 disk that should do a clean install. Sorry to have bothered folks here (I might need this resource later for some REAL help <g>).

You are welome.