Inquiry about migration to Windows 8

Hello,

It's been a while since I posted here(2015 was not that good with economics and all) but am now here to seek help again for my very very late migration to Windows 8.1. I recently have acquired legit keys from my company and supplier (reward/award) so am thinking about using it. It's Windows 8 Home and Windows 8 Pro Retail(upgrade-able to Windows 10). Now I know that this is "sevenforums.com" supposed to be for Windows 7 only. Have just recently registered at eightforums.com but have not posted yet there.

I want to post the bulk of my inquiries there but opted to ask some starters questions here if I may.

So here goes:

1. Both licenses I have obtained was from the Microsoft Bizspark account of my company(awarded to me as one of op 10 employee of the year -- Windows 8 Pro Retail) and the other as reward from our manufacturing supplier for (well performance ratings also) --Windows 8 Home.

They both said that it can be upgraded to Windows 10 (home/Pro). Is that correct..? Have not gone the length of researching abut migration to Windows 10 yet (busy at work and it ain't broke so you know :)...)

Forgive the ignorance and the very very newbie question. Gotta ask these :) You guys can laugh :) This isn't my field :)

What is that Windows 8 Home? Is that Windows 8 core..?

2. Currently my internet is shit shit shit and very very slow at home. Both licenses will be used at home. Two desktops. Mine and the kids. Both systems are x64 --one with 32gb RAM and the other 8GB ram. First I do not have the installer with me said that I need to download it.

That's the thing, i do not know where to start. Can you guys help me out please..? All I have here is a Windows 8.1 installer from the office which has Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.

Can I use that instead of Windows 8 Home and Windows 8 Pro Retail installer..? Will my license work with the 8.1 installer...? I seem to remember that it ain't so. Sorry really not my field here :)

3. If I use the Windows 8.1 Pro x64 installer will I supply the license that I have or just use it later..? I can do that correct? I mean not supply a serial key during install and upon installation complettion insert my own key...? Or is that the wrong thing to do..?

I see a thread at eightforums.com but I have not completely read it. It's here,

Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.

Sounds that question 3 is related to it. Can you guys confirm this one for me please...?

4. Now about activation, this Windows 7 Ultimate is from the office and it has been installed there and then they gave it to me as a tool for which I can work at home(talk about being a slave even at home huh :)...) They own the activation and frankly would not even touch it because I am good to go with all the programs I use and need for work.

Can I do a dual-boot of Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 8.1 Pro..?

I have dual-booted Windows 7 Ultimate on a single hard drive before(the reason is that when I encounter anything and it hinders me to work efficiently because of some issue like Bork Tuesday example :), I just boot to the second partition and I am all good).

I plan to install Windows 8.1 Pro on a second hard drive apart from the Windows 7 Ultimate one so there would not be some kind of an issue (I am suppose to disconnect the Windows 7 hard drive correct?). That seems to be a good thing correct --two OS with different drives. Now as mentioned my internet at home is shit and I am wary of the activation that might have issues perhaps. Will I tie the activation to my outlook account or can just not supply an outlook account just the serial key..?

Assuming all will be well (just looking forward here) can I later dual-boot Windows 8.1 Pro on it's hard drive like the one I did with Windows 7 Ultimate..? I usually image the main drive with Macrium Reflect and then later recover that image to the second partition I create to have a dual-boot and use EaseBCD / iReboot. Well that's in Windows 7. Will that work with Windows 8.1 Pro..?

Yikes it's too long now so I'll leave it at that.

Please help me on these guys. As mentioned I am out of my line of work here and not as savvy as you are. You guys can laugh :) It's okay :) Can't really learn it all by yourself :)

Thank you!

SinghRauloS

1. Yes, you can upgrade to windows 10 from windows 8/8.1 for free. However, windows 7 can also do that.
Windows 8 Home is the basic version of windows 8. If you want more features, go for Windows 8 Pro

2. It should, but just to be safe I wouldn't recommend trying it. You can always upgrade from windows 8 to windows 8.1 for free if needed.

3. You will be asked for the product key, but you can always put it in later if needed.

4. Yes you can dual-boot windows 7 and windows 8/8.1.
You don't need to disconnect the windows 7 drive when loading windows 8/8.1, but you can if you want.
You don't need to supply your outlook account key.
Yes, you should be able to dual-boot windows 8.1 later after the installation.


Here's some additional advice:
Download the correct drivers for your product and load them on to a usb. This will save you a lot of trouble.
I wouldn't recommend installing windows 8/8.1. It takes a lot of getting used to, and IMO the benefits of it are outweighed by the harms.

Hello guys thanks for the reply.

@AddRam,

Thanks for the tip. I also know of some friends that stayed with 7 after a short stint with 8. I just wanna try so if ever I decide to move-on to 10 I will not be overwhelmed.

@xse,

Will keep all in mind.

You can always upgrade from windows 8 to windows 8.1 for free if needed.

-- I guess upgrading will take place online..right? My internet may not be good to do that..

May I ask further,


(a) As mentioned my internet at home is not good and as mentioned also I do not have the installer with me.
What may be some issues if I install 8.1 (use the and then use the keys mentioned here, Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key. and then later "change key" and use my license key)...Anyone..?

(b) A pal at the office offered his installer but still it's 8.1, the thing is that I see in his installer:

1. Windows 8.1 (Core)
2. 1. Windows 8.1 (Core) N
3. Windows 8.1 (Core) Single Language
4. Windows 8.1 Pro
5. Windows 8.1 Pro N

That got me confused. So I declined using it. What are the differences if someone here knows..? Anyone..? Thanks there, really out of my league here.

Hello guys thanks for the reply.

@AddRam,

Thanks for the tip. I also know of some friends that stayed with 7 after a short stint with 8. I just wanna try so if ever I decide to move-on to 10 I will not be overwhelmed.

@xse,

Will keep all in mind.

You can always upgrade from windows 8 to windows 8.1 for free if needed.

-- I guess upgrading will take place online..right? My internet may not be good to do that..

May I ask further,


(a) As mentioned my internet at home is not good and as mentioned also I do not have the installer with me.
What may be some issues if I install 8.1 (use the and then use the keys mentioned here, Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key. and then later "change key" and use my license key)...Anyone..?

(b) A pal at the office offered his installer but still it's 8.1, the thing is that I see in his installer:

1. Windows 8.1 (Core)
2. 1. Windows 8.1 (Core) N
3. Windows 8.1 (Core) Single Language
4. Windows 8.1 Pro
5. Windows 8.1 Pro N

That got me confused. So I declined using it. What are the differences if someone here knows..? Anyone..? Thanks there, really out of my league here.

1. Windows 8.1 (Core)
2. 1. Windows 8.1 (Core) N Windows 8.1 without windows media center
3. Windows 8.1 (Core) Single Language windows 8.1 with only one language
4. Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 8.1 professional
5. Windows 8.1 Pro N Windows 8.1 professional without windows media center

1. Windows 8.1 standard
2. Windows 8.1 without windows media center
3. windows 8.1 with only one language
4. Windows 8.1 professional
5. Windows 8.1 professional without windows media center

SinghRauloS said:

Hello guys thanks for the reply.

@AddRam,

Thanks for the tip. I also know of some friends that stayed with 7 after a short stint with 8. I just wanna try so if ever I decide to move-on to 10 I will not be overwhelmed.

You don't need to have windows 8.1 to install windows 10 easily.
Also, windows 7 has more similarities with windows 10 then windows 8.1 has with 10

Thanks guys for the reply. I am at work so allow me to be back later. I will print this and keep all in mind. Will be back here :)

Hello guys,

Thanks for the help here. I have the details and will soon upgrade to Win 8.1 Pro this week. I will just post a new thread soon. Thanks.