What is Windows 8.1 Full Version?

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

I'm looking for retail copy of Windows now since I can't reuse OEM Windows 7 key on my new upgraded motherboard. I went to Newegg to find a retail copy that is equivalent to Windows 7 Home Premium.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416712

Is this retail? I don't want to buy OEM anymore in case MOBO dies.

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

For Windows 8/8.1, changing motherboards is no longer an issue.

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

Is this "Full version" another name for Home Premium?

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

With 8/8.1, for an install that you buy and install, the main difference between OEM and Retail is who you can call for support.

Retail, you can call Microsoft.
OEM, you get to call the person who installed it. You. Or ask us nice people here...

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

Thanks, but what is this Windows 8.1 "Full version." Is it just another name for Home Premium?

This "Full Version" doesn't mean what the OS does. It just means retail. It has no relation to Home Premium? So what is the item in the Newegg page. Is it Pro, Starter or what?

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

For 8/8.1, there are only 2 common versions.
Regular, and Pro. There are others, but nothing you can really buy. Embedded, Enterprise, mainly.

With Win 7, there was Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Pro, Ultimate, Enterprise.

They simplified things for 8/8.1.
What you linked is mostly equivalent to Home Premium.

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

Oh okay. Thanks.

mbarnes86 · Apr 6, 2015

Hi

Windows 8/8.1 seems to have standard version, Pro Version and Enterprise version of windows
while Vista & 7 had various home, Pro, Ultimate & Enterprise
(for large networks with a Domain Pro is the minimum version required)

so it is similar to Windows 7 Home Premium (as it cant be connected to a Domain Network)
(there are no home basic disks sold by retail)

There is a retail upgrade version of 8/8.1 with both 32 & 64 bit DVD's (which is the one I have)

There is the System Builder version which if you buy for a PC you build yourself you are allowed to transfer to a different PC & remove from old PC (only 32bit or 64 bit DVD supplied)
(which is a big change from Licencing of previous versions)

BUT if you buy a PC with Win 8 pre installed you can not move it to a different PC

Microsoft makes it hard to find pictures of genuine Windows 8 packaging without logging in

latter
On one MS site it says Full Version is for upgrading Windows 7 only
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1/productID.288401200
so it may be the upgrade version (previously on Win 8.0 the words 'upgrade version' was hard to find

regards
Mike Barnes

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

USAFRet :

USAFret: Why did a buyer at Newegg say this?

"This review is from: Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit

Pros: It is windows 8.1...

Cons: This is not a license that can be moved to a new computer. I recently upgraded to a new computer and now I have to buy Windows all over again! It's a trap for them to get more money, and I really don't want to spend any more money on these thieves...

Other Thoughts: Do not get the OEM version!"

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

USAFRet :

USAFret: Why did a buyer at Newegg say this?

"This review is from: Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit

Pros: It is windows 8.1...

Cons: This is not a license that can be moved to a new computer. I recently upgraded to a new computer and now I have to buy Windows all over again! It's a trap for them to get more money, and I really don't want to spend any more money on these thieves...

Other Thoughts: Do not get the OEM version!"

That depends. What or who told him he had to buy a new license?
Read the MS licensing here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

The main decision point is 'how did you obtain this software?'

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

USAFRet :

Alyus :

That depends. What or who told him he had to buy a new license?
Read the MS licensing here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

The main decision point is 'how did you obtain this software?'

The person purchased a copy of Windows 8.1 OEM at Newegg and installed it on a computer, and for whatever reason, the person had to upgrade the computer, assuming the motherboard. When the person tried to reuse the OEM Windows 8.1 key on the new motherboard, he/she found that the key could not be validated.

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

When the person tried to reuse the OEM Windows 8.1 key on the new motherboard, he/she found that the key could not be validated.

What told him this?

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

USAFRet :

"This is not a (OEM) license that can be moved to a new computer... recently upgraded to a new computer and now I have to buy Windows all over again!"

Reusing the key did not work. It don't think it required anyone to tell him/her anything?

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

No it isn't. Did he install it on the new hardware and then the activation failed?
What (or who) displayed the message 'this license will not work' ?

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

USAFRet :

I've gathered the information from his written complaint. Let me reword what i said previously. It didn't require a person to say anything to him/her. When he/she tried to reuse the key on a different computer, it failed.

That is what I am inferring when this person says, "This is not a license (OEM) that can be moved to a new computer... recently upgraded to a new computer and now I have to buy Windows all over again!"

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

Assuming.
Without knowing how he came to that conclusion...we do not know.
Did one of his friends tell him that, based on the letters "OEM" (which would have been the case with Win 7)
Did the activation fail, and someone from MS told him this?
Did the activation fail and a message was displayed on the screen?

Without facts, we do not know.

We can, however, read the actual licensing text, direct from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

Click through, make the right selections in the dropdowns, and see what it says.

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

USAFRet :

Alyus :

Assuming.
Without knowing how he came to that conclusion...we do not know.
Did one of his friends tell him that, based on the letters "OEM" (which would have been the case with Win 7)
Did the activation fail, and someone from MS told him this?
Did the activation fail and a message was displayed on the screen?

Without facts, we do not know.

We can, however, read the actual licensing text, direct from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

Click through, make the right selections in the dropdowns, and see what it says.

Inferring is the word I meant to use. It didn't require anyone to tell him/her anything. The OEM copy of Windows 8.1 could not be reused on another computer.

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Specifically:

"Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you."

'another computer', defined in the Microsoft world as 'another motherboard'

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

USAFRet :

Inferring is the word I meant to use. It didn't require anyone to tell him/her anything. The OEM copy of Windows 8.1 could not be reused on another computer.

If he attempted a reinstall with new hardware(motherboard), something must have prompted to the fail.
What was that?

Alyus · Apr 6, 2015

For whatever reason, this person couldn't reuse the OEM Windows 8.1 key on another computer. Otherwise he wouldn't make that statement, "This is not a (OEM) license that can be moved to a new computer... recently upgraded to a new computer and now I have to buy Windows all over again!"

Well, anyways. This isn't my problem. Just wondered why this person ran into difficult issues with reusing the same key on another computer.

USAFRet · Apr 6, 2015

Alyus :

I'm wondering as well.

mbarnes86 · Apr 11, 2015

Hi

I did some more research on Windows 8 licencing and found that Microsoft changed the licencing conditions again for Windows 8.1

With 8 the OEM System builder version could be purchased by a end user and transferred to a different PC
but if supplied pre installed on a PC then it was not transferable to a new PC or (motherboard)

With Win 8.1 Microsoft went back to the view that Windows OEM should only be supplied pre installed by system builders .

End users should buy the 8.1 'Full Version' which comes in a package with 32 & 64 bit DVD's and is the equivalent to the Full Retail version.

(With 8.0 the retail product was (usually) a Upgrade version and if you needed the full version for a new PC you could use the oem system builder version)

presuambly there is something in the licence key which distinguishes 8 from 8.1 as well as oem and retail and retail upgrade versions

regards
Mike Barnes

Pb5525 · Jun 12, 2015

Windows (full) there on e was only windows XP , not secure as new versions, does come in 32 and 64. As technoloy improved so did windows. windows 8.1 is more secure than any other version, and easier and les of a resource hog. (With exception to vista which was awfull) you will still need antiviirusus/ malware programs. Now unfull versions ( which have been discontinued by Microsoft) windows rt and phone. Windows 10 is in the barrel. If you have 8.1 you can go to Microsoft.com and type in the search box "windows 10 free upgrade" register and on July 29 you will be upgraded. You want Windows ten because as technology improves ease of use and improved. And does too with security.

What is Windows 8.1 Full Version?

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