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Windows 8 64-bit full version $70

Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Windows 8 OEM $69.99 shipped with promo code EMCJHJJ87 (exp.12/17).

-------------- old----------------

For those who want the actual media and want the full version and not the upgrade...

Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM
$99.99 with free shipping
-$30 with code EMCJNJA83

Microsoft Windows 8 Professional 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM
$139.99 with free shipping
-$30 with code EMCJNJA87

This is for pre-order. Code valid through 10/25. Windows 8 becomes available 10/26.

AFAIK Microsoft has changed how they sell full/upgrade versions. Upgrades will only be "retail box" and "full versions" will only be OEM. However, the licensing for OEM allows for less restrictive use. Maybe someone can elaborate.
 
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Zap said:
AFAIK Microsoft has changed how they sell full/upgrade versions. Upgrades will only be "retail box" and "full versions" will only be OEM. However, the licensing for OEM allows for less restrictive use. Maybe someone can elaborate.
Click to expand...

that sounds very confusing to those who understand how previous longhorn licenses worked....
 
Zap said:
For those who want the actual media and want the full version and not the upgrade...

Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM
$99.99 with free shipping
-$30 with code EMCJNJA83

Microsoft Windows 8 Professional 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM
$139.99 with free shipping
-$30 with code EMCJNJA87

This is for pre-order. Code valid through 10/25. Windows 8 becomes available 10/26.

AFAIK Microsoft has changed how they sell full/upgrade versions. Upgrades will only be "retail box" and "full versions" will only be OEM. However, the licensing for OEM allows for less restrictive use. Maybe someone can elaborate.
Click to expand...
So in order to be able to transfer a license to new hardware, you must purchase an upgrade, which requires purchase of a previous version as well?

Or have they relaxed the OEM license restrictions, allowing transfer of OEM licenses?

Personally, I only really buy retail, precisely because I can transfer the licenses to new machines if I want to.
 
As I understand it...

The "old" OEM license tied it to hardware (specifically the motherboard).

The "new" OEM license ties it to being used on a single system.

Microsoft radically overhauls license agreements for Windows 8

Looks as if there are three licenses.

OEM
- For big box systems
- Tied to the computer which it was pre-installed on

Retail Upgrade
- Can install and use it on one computer

System Builder
- Can install and use it on one computer
- Can use it on a computer you built
- Can use it in a VM

The product page at Newegg states as a disclaimer:
software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed
Click to expand...

So both OEM and System Builder, but states it is tied to the computer it is installed on.

HOWEVER, that disclaimer is the same on ALL OEM Windows regardless of version, so maybe it is just some text that Newegg authored and copy/pastes it on all OEM Windows OS.

The ZDNET article states that they pulled the information from the actual EULA that you agree to when you install Windows 8.

Hmmm, still not super clear which exact one we would get from Newegg.

Regarding the $40 upgrade versions, I have yet to see someone post an easy way (or any way) to use the upgrade to do a completely fresh install, without having to actually have an OS already installed.
 
I have an OEM Windows 7 Ultimate license.
When I changed my system motherboard(twice at that), all I had to do was call Microsoft or email them. :colbert:
Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by that End User Software License Terms. The End User Software License Terms is a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.
Click to expand...
Just tell them your old motherboard was faulty and has been replaced.
They will deactivate your license from the old motherboard and allow you to reactivate it on the new motherboard or de-activate your old key completely and just give you a new one.
Problem solved.

The keyword there is "equivalent" and it's there for a reason.
Microsoft knows ASUS and Gigabyte can't produce the same motherboard model numbers for 5 years straight.
That's why the word "equivalent" is there.

That said, I'll post the YMMV disclaimer because I don't fully yet understand how Windows 8 licensing will work.
Like I mentioned before, calling Microsoft when I do a motherboard change on Windows 7 has never been an issue. Did I already mention that I've done that twice?

Microsoft Looking to Tighten Up Windows 8 Activation Requirements
Microsoft’s activation service has always been somewhat controversial since its debut in Windows XP, but has turned out to be a necessary evil. The process started out being very forgiving, and to be fair, we have yet to hear of a single legitimate customer being turned away. Even when Microsoft was within its rights to deny activation as a result of terms in the EULA, a simple phone call was often all it took to resolve the dispute. Pirates have been taking advantage of Microsoft’s generous nature for years now, and new reports are suggesting they are looking to close down a few of the loop holes with Windows 8.

In particular Microsoft is looking to improve the way they deal with OEM editions of Windows, making it significantly harder for pirates and rogue OEM’s to circumvent paying their dues to Redmond. In the past several OEM’s used a single activation key, however going forward with Windows 8, they will be required to write a unique Windows product key into the BIOS of each new machine shipped.

OEM’s will also be forced to obtain their product keys directly from Microsoft electronically, and each machine will come with a “Genuine Microsoft” sticker affixed to the outside of the case. In the past machines were only required to come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The new requirements only applies to Windows 8 at the moment, however if Windows 7 hangs around as long as Windows XP did in the Vista era, we can probably expect the program to be expanded.

Legitimate customers probably don’t have anything to fear from these changes, and they make absolute sense for Microsoft going forward as long as this doesn't change.
Click to expand...
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_looking_tighten_windows_8_activation_requirements
The underlined in the above quote confirms my experience.

Those that have been paying for "Retail" Windows when they could get OEM have been wasting their money.
This MAY change with Windows 8, however.
 
What the HELL? So now Microsoft thinks they can tell me that I have to buy the same brand motherboard if my old one dies?

Screw you Microsoft. I just purchased 6 licenses of windows and Office to try to get legal, and now you're trying to pull this crap?

I'll go right back to pirating the FIRST time I'm forced to make a telephone call. I do not make telephone calls for something like installing an operating system. It's ridiculous, they don't need my information, and despite their stupid ideas, I own the product.

Wish ascii art worked here so I could give them a giant middle finger.
 
If you want win 8 just buy the system builders version. Its just like the old version of win 7 OEM. You can do whatever you want with it. You can even re-activate it online again without calling.

I've NEVER had to call MS with windows 7 fyi, i did at least 4-5 major upgrade since win 7 was out.

So to recap, Win 7 OEM = Win 8 System builders.

Which i might point out is slightly more expensive than Win 7..so its not a cheaper version of windows for those system builders like lots of us are 😛
But to each his own, its not worth the upgrade for getting nothing in return.
 
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Thanks to this thread, it saved me a chunk of change. I didn't really look into the EULA, but I did skim the Amazon deal and didn't see anything about upgrade only. So I read this thread, looked closer, found it and then cancelled both my orders. Thanks a bunch. 😀
 
imaheadcase said:
So to recap, Win 7 OEM = Win 8 System builders.

Which i might point out is slightly more expensive than Win 7..so its not a cheaper version of windows for those system builders like lots of us are 😛
Click to expand...

Why do you say it is more expensive? Windows 7 Home Premium is normally $100, and so is Windows 8. The best discounts on Win7HP has been to $80. Right now Win8 is $70, so I see it as cheaper.
 
Anyone tried this? SO only one machine? What if you happen to format a bunch of times? I don't know if I would like it. Seems like it turns your pc into a windows tablet/phone. Are you suppose to drag those screens using your mouse if you don't have a touch monitor?
 
Every follow-up release of a successful Windows version is a fail ... wait for Windows 9:

Windows 3.0 - fail
Windows 3.1
Windows 95 - fail
Windows 98
Windows ME - fail
Windows XP
Windows Vista - fail
Windows 7
Windows 8 - f???
 
NuttyBuddy said:
Every follow-up release of a successful Windows version is a fail ... wait for Windows 9:

Windows 3.0 - fail
Windows 3.1
Windows 95 - fail
Windows 98
Windows ME - fail
Windows XP
Windows Vista - fail
Windows 7
Windows 8 - f???
Click to expand...
Where does Windows 2000 fall?
 
98se?

And when you say fail... I never had problems with ME... it was basically a suped up 98. Vista, never had problems. In fact, I welcomed vista's x64
 
It will not go away.
At $70 I am willing to try it, especially as several products are available to "skin" it like Windows 7.
I want to be able to use it when encountered. Maybe I'll like it? Which is the point.
 
infoiltrator said:
Why? newegg just had Windows 7 OEM for $80.
Click to expand...

Had. I see it at $99 now. I'm building a PC for a co-worker, and we briefly considered Win8 until we found it does not include WMC, so that was a dealbreaker.

At $99, it would be better for me to just buy a Family Pack for $115 on flEbay and have a pair of keys for myself. When I went to look on MS website to buy Win 7 it said it was discontinued ?!?!
 
WT said:
Had. I see it at $99 now. I'm building a PC for a co-worker, and we briefly considered Win8 until we found it does not include WMC, so that was a dealbreaker.

At $99, it would be better for me to just buy a Family Pack for $115 on flEbay and have a pair of keys for myself. When I went to look on MS website to buy Win 7 it said it was discontinued ?!?!
Click to expand...

wmc is included in win 8 pro if you were considering the pro version

-Luke
 
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