Upgrade from Windows 8 Release-to-Manufacturing to Windows 8 Retail:
As a Microsoft Partner, I have Windows 8 Release-to-Manufacturing (which I have installed on a test laptop.)
Assume I do a clean install Windows 8 RTM on a production computer:
Is my subsequent update to the retail W8 seamless?
- Do I just enter a valid product key?
- or -
Do I have to do another install?
Jim - W8 Pro. Microsoft gave me five (5) keys for the RTM download as a partner.
My (Microsoft) subscription will subsequently give me ten (10) keys for 'final' W8.
I *assume* the ten keys for 'final' will be different from the five keys for RTM.
BTW: Microsoft provides zero useful information on any of its (partner) Web sites --
and Microsoft partner support people are totally clueless about my routine questions.
[Sarcastically] I must be the first Microsoft partner to ask this [these] simple questions.
I don't know anything about the MS Partner program so don't know if there would be a difference in the Keys. If the 5 keys don't expire then you should not have to do anything. And if the 10 keys are for Windows 8 Pro then I see no difference. I have Win 8 Pro installed with a TechNet key but plan to buy some upgrade keys with the free addition of WMC. To add WMC to Windows 8 Pro requires a different key but is a simple process to add.
I am [will be] interested in your experience with Windows Media Center in Windows 8. Please post your W8 WMC experiences going forward.
At my home I use WMC on - a computer (Proxee) - with a Ceton tuner and Comcast Cable Card - as a single center for cable, tuner, Blu-Ray player, dvr, etc.
I will not upgrade my Proxee to W8 WMC -- unless and until I hear good experiences from W8 WMC users -- like you.
[I do not trust Microsoft. For example, MS destroyed Business Contact Manager in Outlook 2013 -- with no advance notice.]
Your key should be good to go as is, but if you just wanted to change it, then the tutorial below can help show you how to without having to reinstall Windows 8 Pro.
David,
I use WMC on Windows 7, but for local files only. I have a lot of DVD's I have ripped to ISO and I use WMC to play them and other movie formats. I did use a blocked WMC key on Windows 8 Pro and it updated to the WMC version but would not activate. But I did get to test WMC in Windows 8 RTM and it works the same as it did in Windows 7.
Aside:
At my office I have a Workstation with two (2) XEON processors and two (2) 1.36 TB Drives.
I find that:
1.) I need the dual Xeon processors for what I do (Daytrading) as well as other functions;
2.) I always have duplicate hard drives, but I do not need two matching terabyte drives.
3.) I can fit everything I need in less than 512 GB.
Therefore --
I am considering:
One 512 GB Solid State Drive as primary;
Retain both terabyte hard drives as backup / additional storage / keep because I have both.