Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

Windows 8 on a newly built computer?

Tags:
  • Windows 8
  • Computers
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Windows Vista
Last response: in Windows 8
Share
August 22, 2013 9:08:35 PM

My old HP Vista computer died and I'm buying components to build a new pc.

I know that there's no full retail version of Windows 8. This thread "Windows 8 OEM vs System Builder" http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/3889-73-windows-syste... should have answered the question about which version to buy.

However, now I'm even more confused.

According to microsoftstore.com, "To install Windows 8 Pro, you must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows 8 Release Preview."

I do not have any Windows discs or codes. Even still, it seems asinine to install Windows pre-8 only to then install 8.

Can someone straighten this out for me?

Thanks :) 

More about : windows newly built computer

Best solution

a c 481 * Windows 8
a b α HP
August 22, 2013 11:38:07 PM

Well, strictly speaking you should have a previous version installed, but a clean install invariably works by performing a 'Refresh your PC' immediately after the installation to activate Windows. Leave your Installation Media in place, type 'Refresh' at your Start Screen and from Settings choose 'Refresh Your PC'. Windows will be activated on completion.
I suppose to be absolutely kosher you could install your old HDD, but in my experience it's not necessary...
Share
!