Do Windows 8 Licenses work the same way in a Surface Pro?

theimporter

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Hi there,

I got a Surface Pro last month. It had a 8GB partition for the system's default restoration which I transferred to an SD card before merging that space with my C: drive.

Considering the unreliability of SD cards and the fact that this will be pointless past June 30th because I won't be able to get updates if I install 8.1, I was looking into other alternatives. Although I did back my partition with Clonezilla after I was done installing everything, it would be nice to be able to do a fresh install if needed. Since I do own a Windows 8 license, I should be able to install Windows 8.1 from a disc (I have external DVD drive) using my key code that I discovered after running Belarc Advisor.

Anyone has any idea if this would work?
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hi there

If it's an RT system --then no. The newer surface pro's which are Windows will work exactly like windows --if you change the built in version that came with the device (you'll have to disable protected boot first) then a retail copy will install OK. Backup though just like you would a regular PC. It will also work just like a windows PC regarding updates etc.

For RT all bets are off - and that whole RT system doesn't actually look very long for this world either.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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@Jimbo - Surface Pros, regardless of which generation, all run full Windows. It's the non-Pro models that run RT.
 

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    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
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    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
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    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
The Surface Pro is a Standard Windows 8 Pro installation, as I understand it - complete with the BIOS Key and everything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 64-bit and Win8 32-bit in VM (+ others in VM)
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    i3
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    8GB
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    it's an i3 :)
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    Conexant (rubbish - or it may be the speakers)
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    whatever I can get - G3
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