Everything to know about Windows 8.1 upgrade options

Here we go again…

With each new release of Windows, Microsoft changes the mix of products it offers to consumers and also changes the terms of use. Windows 8.1 is no exception.

This post lists the key changes you need to know about in Windows 8.1 pricing and licensing, with a few buying tips thrown in for good measure
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(Two pages)

Read more at: Everything you need to know about your Windows 8.1 upgrade options | ZDNet


See also: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32281-compare-windows-8-1-editions.html
 
Thanks for the heads up Brink. Nice to see that the upgrade for current Windows 8 users is a free download. Although in my case it won't be free, as I'm sure the size of the download will put me over the monthly data allotment I get with Verizon Wireless. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPower
    CPU
    i5 2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 Deluxe
    Memory
    8 gigabytes Corsair PC3-12800 DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 460 superclocked
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic 23" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    128 Gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD
    128 Gb Kingston Hyper X SSD
    1 Tb Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
    PSU
    1000 watt Coolermaster modular
    Case
    Coolermaster Haf X full tower
    Cooling
    Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitec M310 USB cordless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb/s download 300 kb/s upload
Why did they remove the OEM personal use policy?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core I5 3570K 3.4Ghz w/ Zalman CNPS9900NT RT
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A-G45 Gaming
    Memory
    G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GbXL ; 4Gx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 770 Superclocked
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual ViewSonic VX2770Smh-LED Black 27" IPS-Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel 730 Series SSD 240GBx2 RAID0 Win8.1Pro 6GB/s Sata III
    Intel 320 Series SSD 600GBx2 RAID0 Games 3GB/s Sata II
    Kingston Hyper X 240GB SSD Itunes Drive 6GB/s Sata III
    Western Digital Scorpio Black 1TB - Docked via Esata
    PSU
    Cooler Master GX 750W
    Case
    Corsair Vengence C70
    Cooling
    120mm, 140mm.
    Keyboard
    Corsair Vengence K70
    Mouse
    Logitech G500 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Generally 50/Mbps+
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, IE
    Other Info
    Samsung Bluray Optical Drive
    WD 1tb storage backup with Thermatake dock
    Sennheiser 558 Headphones
    Swan M50W 2.1 speakers
    Netgear WNDR4500
Why did they remove the OEM personal use policy?

With Windows 8, they only sold upgrade versions and System Builder. There was no Retail Windows 8 full version.

With 8.1 the Retail version is now a full version, so no rider on the system builder is now needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
One question I have is will the upgrade from the store, or ms update, allow for both an upgrade or custom install. If current users of windows 8 get a free update, then it should allow for both, after all "It is FREE". No where do I read if this is possible. Or is it.

Henry
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hp Envy m6-1225dx
    CPU
    Intel 3rd Generation I5
    Motherboard
    Hp/Intel
    Memory
    8 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Hd 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    750 Gb Ata 5400 rpm
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    15 Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
am i right ? MS changes OEM policy like win7 ?

so i can not buy oem directly and use it on my own pc and then transfer to another pc like win 8 ... is it right?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
am i right ? MS changes OEM policy like win7 ?

so i can not buy oem directly and use it on my own pc and then transfer to another pc like win 8 ... is it right?

Yes, that has changed, because they now have the Full retail version, which is transferrable. They did not have a full retail version with Windows 8, which is why they created the personal use license.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
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