Solved Possible to do a clean install with Windows 8 NFR license?

Daolpu

New Member
Messages
6
Over the weekend I managed to get my hands on a computer on the cheap, but the OS was wrecked. So I decided to wipe and install a new OS. I work at a big box retailer and managed to get an NFR license (It's legit. An Employee promo of sorts. NFR meaning not for resale.) from the management. My question is, can I use this license on an empty hard drive? According to MS's website, this needs to be done inside an existing install, but I've seen all the tutorials out there including the ones on here for either refreshing or editing some registry keys to do a clean install and activate Windows Upgrade version. Will it work like this with this license?

I'm still at work, just wondering about this before getting home to try it.

Side note: the NFR is only a little cardboard license packet, I had to burn an ISO of Windows 8 Pro from a repository of system disks we keep.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP8690
    CPU
    Core i7 720 @ 1.7 ghrz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Mobility 5870
    Cooling
    Stock (laptop)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware® ALX X58
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
    Motherboard
    ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
    Memory
    24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
    Sound Card
    Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung XL2370 LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080P
    Hard Drives
    2 X 500gb SATA
    1 X 1TB SATA
    1 X 3TB external eSATA
    (Non-RAID)
    PSU
    Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
    Case
    Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
    Cooling
    Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
    Keyboard
    Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
    Mouse
    Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
    Internet Speed
    1tbs
    Other Info
    Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Hello, Daolpu. Welcome to EightForums.

I would think one would need a qualifying OS with an upgrade version to stay within the bounds of EULA. Probably not the answer you want to hear. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Mixed messages! I'm hoping the MVP is correct, and the clean install work-around for upgrades posted on these forums works for this as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP8690
    CPU
    Core i7 720 @ 1.7 ghrz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Mobility 5870
    Cooling
    Stock (laptop)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
Good luck ;-)

Let us know if it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware® ALX X58
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
    Motherboard
    ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
    Memory
    24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
    Sound Card
    Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung XL2370 LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080P
    Hard Drives
    2 X 500gb SATA
    1 X 1TB SATA
    1 X 3TB external eSATA
    (Non-RAID)
    PSU
    Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
    Case
    Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
    Cooling
    Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
    Keyboard
    Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
    Mouse
    Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
    Internet Speed
    1tbs
    Other Info
    Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Thanks! I'll update later this afternoon, and hopefully the answer will help others with NFR copies.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP8690
    CPU
    Core i7 720 @ 1.7 ghrz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Mobility 5870
    Cooling
    Stock (laptop)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
Yes, all one can do is try. I hope I am wrong and it works for you. Good luck. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Hi there
If it's only a "Qualifying" OS you need just download a W7 one - don't activate it and then install your NFR system.

As you work in a store - just borrow a system from a workmate -- or even the service dept -- you don't have to activate a W7 version immediately in any case -- you get 30 days.

I rather suspect the NFR system won't check in any case --otherwise what would you do if the NFR system crashes and you have to re-install. Would it expect you to re-install the prior OS first before proceeding.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there
If it's only a "Qualifying" OS you need just download a W7 one - don't activate it and then install your NFR system.

As you work in a store - just borrow a system from a workmate -- or even the service dept -- you don't have to activate a W7 version immediately in any case -- you get 30 days.

I rather suspect the NFR system won't check in any case --otherwise what would you do if the NFR system crashes and you have to re-install. Would it expect you to re-install the prior OS first before proceeding.

Cheers
jimbo


This is an excellent suggestion. We keep copies of most Windows install disks on a hard drive, .isos, in case we need them for something. I'll burn a W7 disc from that and take it with me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP8690
    CPU
    Core i7 720 @ 1.7 ghrz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Mobility 5870
    Cooling
    Stock (laptop)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
Update. I can confirm a clean install with a copy of Windows 8 Pro NFR works. I used a Windows 8 Pro .iso to launch the setup, put in my key, and everything went smoothly. I did not need to do the "upgrade workaround" or manual activation, it automatically validated on a formatted hard drive, no Qualifying OS required. Screenshot for proof!

P.S. Got this machine for $350 from someone who thought it was 'broken'. You can see the specs there in the screenshot, along with a ATI 5870, and now a free working install of Windows. It all makes me quite the happy camper!

clean_nfr.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP8690
    CPU
    Core i7 720 @ 1.7 ghrz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Mobility 5870
    Cooling
    Stock (laptop)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast
That's great. Good for you!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware® ALX X58
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
    Motherboard
    ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
    Memory
    24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
    Sound Card
    Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung XL2370 LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080P
    Hard Drives
    2 X 500gb SATA
    1 X 1TB SATA
    1 X 3TB external eSATA
    (Non-RAID)
    PSU
    Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
    Case
    Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
    Cooling
    Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
    Keyboard
    Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
    Mouse
    Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
    Internet Speed
    1tbs
    Other Info
    Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Sweet deal all the way around for you! I'm glad your version worked that way, for a fresh install much better than updating. :thumbup:

Thanks for posting all the info. Enjoy! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Great deal, and glad it worked--good computer for $350. I am not at all familiar with the workings of NFR software (I think maybe there are different types), but I was wondering, as this thread developed, why your NFR wouldn't allow a full install (i.e., and why you wanted to do an upgrade install). I guess I got my answer; your's did a full install.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
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