Windows 8: The end of the full retail version?

There's a rumor going around that, with Windows 8, Microsoft is doing away with the full version of Windows sold at retail.

If this pans out -- and so far, I have heard it from only one source (as I noted on the Windows Weekly podcast with my co-host Paul Thurrot this week) -- I doubt there will be anyone lining up in protest.

In Microsoft parlance, a full product typically means a non-upgrade, fully licensed version of Windows sold in a box via brick-and-mortar and/or online retailers. With Windows, full product tends to be quite expensive -- and not very popular, as most users get their Windows either preloaded on new PCs, via volume-licensing deals, or as an upgrade to an existing version of Windows. Very few users want or need a complete, new copy of Windows for a machine on which Windows has not been previously installed.

With Windows 8, Microsoft is being aggressive with upgrade pricing. Anyone with a copy of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or the Windows 8 Release Preview (with some caveats for Windows 8) will be able to buy up to five copies of Windows 8 Professional for $39.99 apiece through January 31, 2013. (And maybe longer, if Microsoft extends this promotional price.)

Read more at:
Windows 8: The end of the full retail version? | Windows 8 - CNET Reviews
 
Wouldn't surprise me.

Don't imagine the full retail boxed version was an enormous seller.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
As long as that $40 "upgrade" is installable on new machines WITHOUT a previous windows install, otherwise...

Microsoft ever heard of "death by 1000 cuts"?

If you screw 5% of your user base 20 times, you may have no one left to buy your product...

How would a person legally build their own machine now?

But of course that is just one more step in Ballmer's plan to "Out-Apple Apple" :/
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
hopefully this story proves untrue
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 update 1 Pro X64 with WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    intel i7 2600k
    Motherboard
    Asrock H61M-VG3
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia geforce GTX 560 Ti
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Internet Speed
    100MB
How would a person legally build their own machine now?

The article above said,
Those who typically have wanted and needed full Windows product -- among them, do-it-yourself PC assemblers -- will now be able to buy a system builder license for Windows 8. Microsoft officials have said the DIY crowd and those installing Windows 8 in a virtual machine or separate partition will be able to purchase a
Windows 8 Pro System Builder version
. There's no official word so far on the price of that SKU.

Guess we have to wait and see that the price of the "system builder" license is going to cost. Also, gotta find out if that system builder license is like OEM where it's good for the one computer you install it to, or if it will run more like retail and can only run on 1 system at a time, but can be moved if necessary.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Yeah, I'd seen some rumour that they were easing restrictions on the OEM version so that it actually became legal for end users to buy it (not that they haven't for years).

But yeah it comes with no help and only one install and is much more restrictive on component changes and reactivations. That will /have/ to be eased or they still got a giant hole.

Enthusiasts may be only 5% of their customer base (heck maybe 1%) by they (we) are their BIGGEST boosters. They need to not piddle us off :)

Overall at least the pricing is on the right track.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
Outsiders note: There will be 3 versions of Windows 8 (Boxed) Upgrade, Full, and Professional. I would post the link that tells this, but Brink doesn't like me posting MSDN links here. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro Retail
Outsiders note: There will be 3 versions of Windows 8 (Boxed) Upgrade, Full, and Professional. I would post the link that tells this, but Brink doesn't like me posting MSDN links here. :)

very glad to know going to be full version :):):):) thinki i gonna get Professional full version depending on price
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 update 1 Pro X64 with WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    intel i7 2600k
    Motherboard
    Asrock H61M-VG3
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia geforce GTX 560 Ti
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Internet Speed
    100MB
Outsiders note: There will be 3 versions of Windows 8 (Boxed) Upgrade, Full, and Professional. I would post the link that tells this, but Brink doesn't like me posting MSDN links here. :)

Not true. You can post links like this. :huh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
^That's from a blog post 3 months old and isn't MSDN.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Moronic. Wtf are they thinking....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
^That's from a blog post 3 months old and isn't MSDN.

And your point is?

LQQks like I'll be upgrading from 7 Ultimate to 8 Pro :party:
 

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
I thought that I read that the "System Builder" license, lets you build systems for other people only. :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Apparently that is being changed by MS. It seems they will be encouraging folk to use system builder on their own machines.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I'm not too sure about an upgrade now. I would rather dual boot as I am now. EULA will be a big factor there. But that's neither here or there about what we're talking about now.

I found this article written July 9. The article has links to the dizzying M$ OEM EULA site. I needed a drink after I read that awhile!

Is Microsoft changing its policy on System Builder licensing for Windows 8? | ZDNet

I thought that I read that the "System Builder" license, lets you build systems for other people only. :confused:

You may be correct as the article states:

•The software must be installed on a “fully assembled computer system,” with a specific list of requirements (including a CPU, a motherboard, and a case).
•The software must be installed using the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK). Although the discs that are included in the OEM System Builder package can be used to install the software directly, the license specifically prohibits this.
•The computer system must be resold to an “unrelated third party.” If you're a consumer building for yourself, you don't meet the terms in Section 2, Authorized Distribution and Acceptance.

So one could build a PC, install 8 using the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK), and sell it to someone, let's say an "unrelated" significant other (not wife or husband), a friend, a man/woman on the street, etc., for let's say a $buck$, and ask them to borrow it indefinetely. That would be legal. :D
 

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
at least in the EU (and EEA) this stuff is now "deprecated" as the top Court in Brussels (EU) has decreed that selling on to others software licenses is 100% legal.

In the USA it might still be different but Ms has a HUGE market outside US as well.

I think AUS / NZ & some Asian countries will adopt this model (although from my own experiences in Hong Kong etc the whole notion of "licenses" seems 100% academic anyway !!!.

cheers
jimbo
 

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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)
I think "Windows 8 System builder" version for end users would be the same as the retail boxed version. It would have a Windows 8 installation disk with it. Same thing. What else???:think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I think "Windows 8 System builder" version for end users would be the same as the retail boxed version. It would have a Windows 8 installation disk with it. Same thing. What else???:think:

Right now windows 7 Retail boxes come with both 32 bit and 64 bit install media. You get phone support and you can transfer that license to another PC. If you buy an OEM copy you only get the one DVD, you have to pick 32 bit or 64 bit. No phone support and once you activate it, its tied to that PC and is non transferable. Big difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I think version for end users would be the same as the retail boxed version. It would have a Windows 8 installation disk with it. Same thing. What else???:think:

Right now windows 7 Retail boxes come with both 32 bit and 64 bit install media. You get phone support and you can transfer that license to another PC. If you buy an OEM copy you only get the one DVD, you have to pick 32 bit or 64 bit. No phone support and once you activate it, its tied to that PC and is non transferable. Big difference.




May be Microsoft offer "Windows 8 System builder for end users" which does not get tied to the PC and is transferable. And about phone support who need that? :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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