Understanding System Builder Windows 8 License

[Blueychan]

As I understand, there are 3 types of Windows 8 licenses:
- Retail Upgrade
- OEM
- System Builder Personal Use License (PUL)

System Builder PUL replaces the traditional retail version. So does this mean that I could transfer it to different PCs as long as they are not shared?

I found this but he's all over the places with OEM/Upgrade/PUL ...
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...question/437c342b-5205-497b-a8d5-e755146b44e0

 

[ViRGE]

System Builder is still an OEM license. So no, you cannot transfer it.

 

[Blueychan]

System Builder is still an OEM license. So no, you cannot transfer it.

So that guy in the link I provided doesn't know what he's talking about?

 

[ViRGE]

So that guy in the link I provided doesn't know what he's talking about?

Nobody has been able to find the mythical document he's referencing, so probably.

 

[PokerGuy]

The ZDNET article does a pretty good job explaining the differences and options. Assuming he's right, there's a difference between a 'real' OEM copy of windows that you get with win 8 pre-installed and a "system builder" version of win 8 that you purchase. The pre-installed version is licensed with the hardware it came with and can not be transferred to a different system. The system builder version of win 8, on the other hand, can be removed from a system and then installed on a different system.

That means for most AT'ers (people who build their pc's and tinker with them), the system builder option is better. If you buy the 'upgrade' versions (formerly known as the retail version), you'll need to have Win 7 or vista or something like that installed on the PC prior to installing the upgrade to 8.

That's my understanding based on reading the various sites.

 

[Concillian]

I'm still confused what is the right option.

I need a version that:
- Lets me change hardware without worrying about "activation," as I change hardware and do a complete wipe rather frequently.
- Does not require me to install my Vista in order to install 8, because I do a complete wipe rather frequently and don't want to bother with installing twice.

Which is the right version? Currently using full retail Vista that allowed all that (at significant expense over the other versions, but it's still much cheaper than buying an OEM version for each mobo I go through.)

 

[Elixer]

There is no way to get around changing hardware and not doing the activation again, so who knows what is the minimum amount of changes before activation crap kicks in...I know lots of people that change motherboards frequently, so we can't tell how big of a PITA it is this time around.

As for not requiring you to reinstall vista with the "upgrade" download, you have to wait and see. There should be a way, but, until we get the download (and burn it to DVD), we won't really know.

 

[Concillian]

There is no way to get around changing hardware and not doing the activation again,

I never have to worry about that with my retail Vista version. It does the whole genuine version check thing, but there is no activation limit that I've reached anyway. I've never had to call them after motherboard / video cards swaps in the teens per license on two licenses.

Windows 7 full retail isn't like that? I'm talking about the like $300+ full retail version, not the upgrade, not the OEM, etc...

If they don't offer a Win 8 version that has those, I guess I'll just have to stay with Vista 10 years like I did with Win2k.

 

[Elixer]

That is odd, I also run vista, and I had to reactivate on my mobo change.

 

[ViRGE]

If you've swapped mobos and haven't had to reactivate, you're extremely lucky. Even Vista has activation, and swapping a mobo should count as being enough changes to trigger a new activation request. Technically speaking Windows 7 and Windows 8 should be no different from Vista in that regard.

 

[SilentRunning]

Just posted in hot deals thread but this seems to be a more appropriate place:


I was at Microcenter tonight and they had empty boxes setting out on a table. The box said that if you are using the software for personal use you ignore the system builder license and instead go to

http://www.windows.com/personaluselicense

for the terms you must agree to before installing.
__________________

 

[lxskllr]

J
I was at Microcenter tonight and they had empty boxes setting out on a table. The box said that if you are using the software for personal use you ignore the system builder license and instead go to

http://www.windows.com/personaluselicense

for the terms you must agree to before installing.
__________________

Looks like System Builder is the new Retail for all intents and purposes.

 

[Dahak]

Looks like System Builder is the new Retail for all intents and purposes.

Yes that's what it looks like. Here is the relevant part from the license, from http://www.windows.com/personaluselicense

Ive bolded the most relevant part

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

 

[Auric]

So are the transfer rights more restrictive since ending with the second licensee? I had assumed with previous versions that the COA and PK were sufficient (no POP) and could be transferred indefinitely.

 

[ElFenix]

So are the transfer rights more restrictive since ending with the second licensee? I had assumed with previous versions that the COA and PK were sufficient (no POP) and could be transferred indefinitely.

per windows 7 retail license, only the first user can transfer the license to a third party.

however, windows anytime upgrade seems to be freely transferable with the computer that it's on.

 

[Auric]

Oh, good to know that since affecting the value of second-hand/previously activated licenses.

 

[Topweasel]

I never have to worry about that with my retail Vista version. It does the whole genuine version check thing, but there is no activation limit that I've reached anyway. I've never had to call them after motherboard / video cards swaps in the teens per license on two licenses.

Windows 7 full retail isn't like that? I'm talking about the like $300+ full retail version, not the upgrade, not the OEM, etc...

If they don't offer a Win 8 version that has those, I guess I'll just have to stay with Vista 10 years like I did with Win2k.

In the past I have found that it isn't a straight limit, that there is a time limit inbetween activations (~90 days), if you try to activate to many times in that window you will have to call in (and it resets the 90 days).

System Builder Win 8 Pro is what you are looking for but there is some debate because its a retail release, but its really a grey area on whether or not its reusable legally. Though in practice it doesn't seem to matter much.

Should of read more down. Yes System Builder is what you want. Make sure you get the version (x86 vs. 64bit) that you want.

 

[Topweasel]

If you've swapped mobos and haven't had to reactivate, you're extremely lucky. Even Vista has activation, and swapping a mobo should count as being enough changes to trigger a new activation request. Technically speaking Windows 7 and Windows 8 should be no different from Vista in that regard.

I think he is talking about never having it reject activation and offer the phone solution. Hell my first Vista install went bad on a computer I built, made the mistake of activating it right away and a new fresh install 2 days later on the same hardware required me to call it in.