What's best/safest/Low$ Upgrade path to Windows 8?

[Edward2]

I'd like to upgrade a couple of my PCs to Win 8, but I'm seeing so many 'License only', 'No software key included', etc., from $45 to $229, I don't know who to trust. Or which product to use.

I've been stung previously be people selling Volume License versions of MS Office 2013, and failure to register.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[samuria]

Why do you want 8 and not 10 ?

 

[Edward2]

I have VB6 healthcare equipment applications running on Win7, and I'm told they won't run on Win 10.
Plus, the Win 7(Starter) pc for one of these is suddenly displaying the 'This Copy of Windows Is Not Genuine'. Maybe after the motherboard swap or new HDD(for backup hardware).

I'm going to setup a Win 10 PC to test the software.

Can Win 10 Run unattended on Intel Atom PCs for Months to years?
I don't think the 32bit Atom processors will handle Win 10.

 

[Snick]

You can call Microsoft and after a few minutes of explaining, you changed mobo, they can assist you activating windows.
New HDD has no effect on Win Genuine, if you replace C drive with new cloned HDD.
Adding an additional HDD, D drive as backup has no effect.

Peruse: How to Make Old Programs Work on Windows 10

 

[townsbg]

You can still buy a pro license on Newegg for $130 USD. I'm not so sure that this is a retail version. Coming from Newegg I would expect it to be legal and not hacked, cracked, or overused. That's more than you can say about Amazon or eBay. Windows 8.1 Pro Full Version 32 - Newegg.com

 

[Snick]

I believe OEM license is for specific computer manufacturer, i.e. Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc., and won't validate on a different mobo. Megahertz07 has stated in other posts that he's replace mobos and a 5 minute call to M$ explaining the mobo switch resolve the Genuine issue.

 

[Barman58]

There are two types of OEM licence - One is as stated from the Major OEM Manufacturers, Dell. HP Etc, these licences are non transferable and tied to the Hardware ID of the system allocated, they do not activate with Microsoft but with the Manufacturer, this is automatic based on code in the Hardware or by unique installation media, (recovery disk), also all after sales support and assistance is the responsibility of the manufacturer, Not Microsoft. The normally do come with a re-installation key fixed to the bottom of the case for when a bespoke installer is not available, or the users wants to forgo the gifts included with the original install (AKA Bloatware)

The other type of OEM licence was originally limited for sale only to small independent system builders (it was actually known as a System Builders Licence in some markets). This has almost all the restrictions of the Major OEM Licence but is supplied with a key (sticker) and is activated with Microsoft. As this version was considerably cheaper to purchase that a full retail Licence. It eventually became available to the regular user - Also all support is the responsibility of the small system builder or the purchaser/ user.

I think that most if not all of the legit windows 7 and 8.1 licences now available will be of this second type. If you can find a rare retail product be prepared to pay a premium 3 or 4 times the price of OEM would not surprise me ,

 

[Barman58]

By the way,

If anyone would like to totally screw-up their will to live understand more of how the windows product lifecycle works ....

windows lifecycle factsheet

 

[Snick]

Thanks for the additional info Nigel!

 

[townsbg]

The thing that confuses me about that is that it says full version which would imply that it isn't OEM however it doesn't sale retail and those are transferable to other computers (although you can only have them installed on one machine at a time) and if you look on the questions tab someone states that it is basically an OEM license. I think by full version they mean that it isn't an update license and that would be typical of a copy meant for system builders. There aren't any other 8 copies but the 7 licenses do specify that they are OEM and most of the 10 licenses do either say retail or OEM. Before purchasing you might want to call them and ask if it is retail or OEM. Say that specifically. If they say that it is OEM you can only use it on one computer but if it is retail you can transfer it to another computer. If it is only OEM and you think that you might want to have 8 on another computer then you might want to buy more than that while they still have them because M$ tries to discontinue selling older copies of Windows. So while I can't tell you for sure if it is OEM or retail I do trust Newegg enough to tell you that it is legit and will activate on at least one computer. I wouldn't be able to say the same about eBay or Amazon since on either you could be dealing with private sellers.

If you want to shop on eBay or Amazon look for actual pictures of the product (and not just stock photos) to make sure that the product is unopened. Also research the seller if possible reading any reviews from buyers on eBay. The one advantage to eBay is their review system however you have to look for reviews from buyers and not sellers since there are both. If you buy a copy that has been used it might not activate or it may be deactivated later. With other sites you might pay for an illegal copy than has been hacked or cracked. If you want a legal copy you are going to likely pay north of $100 for it.

 

[Snick]

OEM vs full version


Carey Frisch replied on

MVP



A:

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system Carey Frisch
Windows Expert - Consumer

 

[mrjimphelps]

By the way,

If anyone would like to totally screw-up their will to live understand more of how the windows product lifecycle works ....

windows lifecycle factsheet

1.5 years of support for the latest Windows 10 (1709). Imagine that. Windows 7 will continue to be supported after 1709 goes out of support. Windows 8.1 goes even longer.

So tell me again why I would want to "upgrade" to Windows 10?

 

[Snick]

Thanks for your input/info Jim!

 

[erpster4]

I have VB6 healthcare equipment applications running on Win7, and I'm told they won't run on Win 10.
Plus, the Win 7(Starter) pc for one of these is suddenly displaying the 'This Copy of Windows Is Not Genuine'. Maybe after the motherboard swap or new HDD(for backup hardware).

I'm going to setup a Win 10 PC to test the software.

Can Win 10 Run unattended on Intel Atom PCs for Months to years?
I don't think the 32bit Atom processors will handle Win 10.

actually certain 32bit Intel Atom CPUs CAN run Win10, Edward2 (up to the v1607 release - just not the latest Win10 versions like 1703 and higher). Win10 is available in both 32bit & 64bit.

Microsoft has already agreed to provide extended updates for the 32bit Win10 v1607 release for certain Intel Atom CPUs [Z2520, Z2560, Z2580 & Z2760] until 2023.
https://redmondmag.com/articles/201...ing-windows-10-creators-update-for-intel.aspx