Possibility of retail copy of Windows 8 on TWO machines?

[pixeldust]

I would like to do a fresh install of Windows 8 to eliminate the bloatware on my Asus N56VZ.

The notebook came OEM pre-installed with Windows 8 and I know that the Product Key on this notebook resides in the BIOS on the motherboard. My specific question is, If I purchase a new retail copy of Windows 8, can I install the retail copy whenever I want and use the motherboard resident BIOS product key and ALSO install the retail copy on to another different PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys?

In other words, can I use the new purchased retail copy of Windows 8 on TWO PC's at the same time? One being the N56VZ with BIOS supplied Product Keys and another PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys!

Thanks!

 

[caperjack]

my unprofessional opinion is no ,because the bios key will be looking for oem disk ,but i could be wrong, i have never had success in trying to use oem key with a retail copy of windows, only ever tried this with win7 and Vista not with win8
when i enter the oem key it always tells me not the correct key !but it might be possible if you can choose to skip enter the key section ,,but i dont get that option when installing win8 ,and install win8 then go to change key section and install the oem key ,but i have read that you will need to call Microsoft to activate

 

[znod]

I would like to do a fresh install of Windows 8 to eliminate the bloatware on my Asus N56VZ.

The notebook came OEM pre-installed with Windows 8 and I know that the Product Key on this notebook resides in the BIOS on the motherboard. My specific question is, If I purchase a new retail copy of Windows 8, can I install the retail copy whenever I want and use the motherboard resident BIOS product key and ALSO install the retail copy on to another different PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys?

In other words, can I use the new purchased retail copy of Windows 8 on TWO PC's at the same time? One being the N56VZ with BIOS supplied Product Keys and another PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys!

Thanks!

Are you talking about using retail upgrade software or system builder software? I am going to assume the first for now.

On each machine, you would need to forfeit a product key for qualifying software IMO. But, my understanding is that the qualifying software need not be installed. So, if you have two qualifying software product keys to forfeit, then I think that what you want to do sounds pretty OK EULA-wise. This situation seems akin to having two retail upgrade product keys and downloading/using the same ISO for use in upgrading on two machines--forfeiting a qualifying product key in each case. There is a "small" technical difference, but I can't put my finger on any implied EULA violation.

Note that you could downgrade the OEM/Win8 Preinstalled machine to Win7 before doing the upgrade if you have a Win7 product key to forfeit Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7. Doing so might make the whole process go more smoothly. In qualifying systems are not installed, then you also might need to activate one, or the other, of the machines using the refresh procedure described here: Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade.

Personally, I'd try what you want using MS system builder software installed under the personal-use license. This way I'd, as far as possible, be out from under the thumbs of both MS and your OEM.

Note that I am not saying that you will be able to accomplish what you want on the OEM machine physically. But, others apparently have had success in doing what you want on OEM/Preinstalled Win8 machines.

 

[caperjack]

for me when i tried to use oem key with retail copies of windows,full version not upgrades . ,it always says wrong key .
having said that i only ever tried with win7 and vista.xp ,i don't have a machine with oem win8 on it to try . i speak from experience ,not with expertize

 

[znod]

for me when i tried to use oem key with retail copies of windows,full version not upgrades . ,it always says wrong key .
having said that i only ever tried with win7 and vista.xp ,i don't have a machine with oem win8 on it to try . i speak from experience ,not with expertize

I see. I had thought that earlier you had tried having an OEM key from an OEM/Preinstalled Win8 machine work, but apparently not. I take it that the OEM key you tried was not embedded, right? If yes, then I think your case doesn't imply much for the OP. But, he should still think things out carefully in this regard--allowing a way to get back to where he started if possible on the OEM.

 

[wetibbe]

My oh my, oh my.

Do I understand ?

If you want to wipe your OEM computer use the system restore disc that you made *( Didn't you ! ).

Or get a system restore disc from you computer manufacturer. Or just use one of the Win 8 features.

It will take off everything and leave you with your computer just like the day you bought it.

 

[caperjack]

f
I take it that the OEM key you tried was not embedded, right? .

i think you are likely right ,
i will shutup right now .lol

 

[pixeldust]

My oh my, oh my.

Do I understand ?

If you want to wipe your OEM computer use the system restore disc that you made *( Didn't you ! ).

Or get a system restore disc from you computer manufacturer. Or just use one of the Win 8 features.

It will take off everything and leave you with your computer just like the day you bought it.

Yes, to be safe I right away created a system restore disk! :thumb:... Actually, I made a bootable 16GB USB flash recovery drive which has a recovery partition! The problem with that would be if I were to recover back to the factory setup I would then have all the bloatware installed which is what I am trying to avoid.

What I am really trying to achieve is a CLEAN install on to my pre-installed Windows 8 OEM notebook. I want the clean install without all the bloatware.

I would really like to find a reliable and safe Windows 8 ISO to install cleanly on the machine and then I could use the Asus supplied Drivers & Utilities disk to cherry pick the stuff I want without all the bloatware. However, I can't seem to fine a reliable source for the Windows 8 ISO so with that hassle I figured it would be nice to have the real deal retail media to load anytime I want to do another clean install.

What I am actually doing is removing the Asus OEM installed 750GB HDD 7200 rpm drive after creating a bootable USB flash recovery drive for it and storing it away. I am then installing a new Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD to replace the HDD.

I was hoping to install Windows 8 cleanly on to the new SSD and then install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk. I was hoping to avoid using the new retail copy of Windows 8 product keys in hopes that I could use the retail product keys on another PC that currently has Windows 7 on it. My ultimate hope was that I could use the resident product keys embedded on the Asus BIOS and install the retail copy OS and save the product keys on the retail copy to install the OS again for use on a second machine.

Anyhow, I hope I have not confused anyone with my long verbiage! I hope you can get the intent of what I am trying to achieve!


Thanks!


...Glenn

 

[caperjack]

why not just uninstall the bloatware ,most of it east to spot in control panel/programs. or you could try pc Decrapafier,safe to try and get a list of programs to pick from .

 

[labeeman]

My oh my, oh my.

Do I understand ?

If you want to wipe your OEM computer use the system restore disc that you made *( Didn't you ! ).

Or get a system restore disc from you computer manufacturer. Or just use one of the Win 8 features.

It will take off everything and leave you with your computer just like the day you bought it.

Yes, to be safe I right away created a system restore disk! :thumb:... Actually, I made a bootable 16GB USB flash recovery drive which has a recovery partition! The problem with that would be if I were to recover back to the factory setup I would then have all the bloatware installed which is what I am trying to avoid.

What I am really trying to achieve is a CLEAN install on to my Windows 8 OEM pre-installed notebook. I want the clean install without all the bloatware.

I would really like to find a reliable and safe Windows 8 ISO to install cleanly on the machine and then I could use the Asus supplied Drivers & Utilities disk to cherry pick the stuff I want without all the bloatware. However, I can't seem to fine a reliable source for the Windows 8 ISO so with that hassle I figured it would be nice to have the real deal retail media to load anytime I want to do another clean install.

What I am actually doing is removing the Asus OEM installed 750GB HDD 7200 rpm drive after creating a bootable USB flash recovery drive for it and storing it away. I am then installing a new Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD to replace the HDD.

I was hoping to install Windows 8 cleanly on to the new SSD and then install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk. I was hoping to avoid using the new retail copy of Windows 8 product keys in hopes that I could use the retail product keys on another PC that currently has Windows 7 on it. My ultimate hope was that I could use the resident product keys embedded on the Asus BIOS and install the retail copy OS and save the product keys on the retail copy to install the OS again for use on a second machine.

Anyhow, I hope I have not confused anyone with my long verbiage! I hope you can get the intent of what I am trying to achieve!


Thanks!


...Glenn

I would just try and see if it would install and work you have nothing to loose but time. The disk need to be the same version of windows that is installed on the box and not an upgrade disk. Do not use your new key on your oem box.

 

[znod]

My oh my, oh my.

Do I understand ?

If you want to wipe your OEM computer use the system restore disc that you made *( Didn't you ! ).

Or get a system restore disc from you computer manufacturer. Or just use one of the Win 8 features.

It will take off everything and leave you with your computer just like the day you bought it.

Yes, to be safe I right away created a system restore disk! :thumb:... Actually, I made a bootable 16GB USB flash recovery drive which has a recovery partition! The problem with that would be if I were to recover back to the factory setup I would then have all the bloatware installed which is what I am trying to avoid.

What I am really trying to achieve is a CLEAN install on to my pre-installed Windows 8 OEM notebook. I want the clean install without all the bloatware.

I would really like to find a reliable and safe Windows 8 ISO to install cleanly on the machine and then I could use the Asus supplied Drivers & Utilities disk to cherry pick the stuff I want without all the bloatware. However, I can't seem to fine a reliable source for the Windows 8 ISO so with that hassle I figured it would be nice to have the real deal retail media to load anytime I want to do another clean install.

What I am actually doing is removing the Asus OEM installed 750GB HDD 7200 rpm drive after creating a bootable USB flash recovery drive for it and storing it away. I am then installing a new Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD to replace the HDD.

I was hoping to install Windows 8 cleanly on to the new SSD and then install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk. I was hoping to avoid using the new retail copy of Windows 8 product keys in hopes that I could use the retail product keys on another PC that currently has Windows 7 on it. My ultimate hope was that I could use the resident product keys embedded on the Asus BIOS and install the retail copy OS and save the product keys on the retail copy to install the OS again for use on a second machine.

Anyhow, I hope I have not confused anyone with my long verbiage! I hope you can get the intent of what I am trying to achieve!


Thanks!


...Glenn

Didn't confuse me. Did you see my original reply to you?

So, you want an ISO? Use use Windows Upgrade Assistant – Download and Run--assuming the "bitness" of the two machines you want install on is the same.

 

[theog]

I would like to do a fresh install of Windows 8 to eliminate the bloatware on my Asus N56VZ.

The notebook came OEM pre-installed with Windows 8 and I know that the Product Key on this notebook resides in the BIOS on the motherboard. My specific question is, If I purchase a new retail copy of Windows 8, can I install the retail copy whenever I want and use the motherboard resident BIOS product key and ALSO install the retail copy on to another different PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys?

In other words, can I use the new purchased retail copy of Windows 8 on TWO PC's at the same time? One being the N56VZ with BIOS supplied Product Keys and another PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys!

Thanks!

As you will have two Product Keys, YES, you can.

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

Purchasing a full version of Windows 8


If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you'll need to ask a sales rep for more info. This version doesn't include customer support.

 

[caperjack]

i think there is only one question being asked by the OP,

? can they format there laptop and use retail dvd of win8 to reinstall it on there laptop, using the laptops OEM key, not the retail key

 

[znod]

Below, in quotes, is what he said recently above--which is consistent, more or less, with his original post. I think I gave him his answers on his basic issues in my first post.

"I was hoping to install Windows 8 cleanly on to the new SSD and then install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk. I was hoping to avoid using the new retail copy of Windows 8 product keys in hopes that I could use the retail product keys on another PC that currently has Windows 7 on it. My ultimate hope was that I could use the resident product keys embedded on the Asus BIOS and install the retail copy OS and save the product keys on the retail copy to install the OS again for use on a second machine."

I'll now add that I know nothing about the ASUS supplied disc--so I can't help on the part about "install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk" He did not mention the new SSD in his original post, but I'd still reply essentially the same way (but no downgrading to Win7 needed).

 

[wetibbe]

I need to sift out some wheat from some chaff:

* If you have a computer with Win 8 pre installed it is the OEM regular not the Pro.

* If you run a system restore disc it will take away everything, bloatware, *( i.e. 3rd party software, NOT Windows 8 apps. ). your files, 3rd party software all kaput, adios. All that you will have left is your original factory installed.

* If you buy a Windows 8 Pro, it will install on a new hard drive or on an other computer with Windows 7. Either, or, but not both. One license one install.

* If you install Windows 8 Pro on a new clean hard drive. You can also use that same disc and that same product key to install and upgrade existing Win 8 OEM regular to Windows 8 Pro on another computer.

* When you buy Windows 8 Pro, in the box, it comes with two disc, a 64 bit and a 32 bit. If you install with the 64 bit you cannot use the 32 bit on another computer. It will reject and tell you the product key was already used.

* You cannot purchase and install Windows Media Center, a separate add on app, from Win 8 OEM regular. Only from Win 8 Pro.

_____________________________________________________________________________

BTW can we get a definition, and description, of "bloatware" ?

Are you dealing with 2 computers or 3 ?

 

[caperjack]

I'll now add that I know nothing about the ASUS supplied disc--.

OP does not have the Asus supplied disk ,


my last post because this thread is getting to confusing

 

[znod]

I guess I an can't really tell either, but he said "I was hoping to install Windows 8 cleanly on to the new SSD and then install all the required utilities and drivers using the Asus supplied disk." Maybe he doesn't have the disc already.

Who knows? I think pixeldust has bitten the dust anyway.

 

[Phone Man]

There is no "full" retail version of Windows 8. The only "full" version is the OEM version and under the system builder license it can be used almost the same as a "full" retail version. The other versions of Windows 8 are all "update" versions. If you buy an OEM version that matches your current OEM version (8 or Pro) then it "may" install with the embedded OEM key and then you can also install on another PC using the new purchased OEM key. Two installs with two keys. If it does not work then you still have the new unused key so no harm done.

Jim

 

[znod]

Correct. And, he also can do what he wants through an upgrade assuming he has two two product keys from qualifying software he is willing to forfeit.

 

[pparks1]

I would like to do a fresh install of Windows 8 to eliminate the bloatware on my Asus N56VZ.

The notebook came OEM pre-installed with Windows 8 and I know that the Product Key on this notebook resides in the BIOS on the motherboard. My specific question is, If I purchase a new retail copy of Windows 8, can I install the retail copy whenever I want and use the motherboard resident BIOS product key and ALSO install the retail copy on to another different PC using the retail copy supplied Product Keys?

As long as the versions are the same, meaning you have the retail Windows 8 or the Retail Windows 8 Pro and that matches what was preinstalled on your OEM computer, yes..you will be able to use the media on the OEM PC and it will utilize the embedded key in the BIOS.

I bought 5 Acer All in Ones for a work project. I was able to take a Technet disk and an MSDN disk and installed Windows 8 no problem back onto these computers. They never asked for a key and they activated immediately once connected to the Internet. Absolute, piece of cake.