I am looking to buy Windows 8.1 (full version, not upgrade) and after much searching and reading I have a few lingering questions that I haven't quite found answers to...
I'm aware I can download a Windows 8.1 image directly from Microsoft and simply purchase a key to install/activate it. Are there reputable places to buy keys that aren't as expensive as Microsoft's online store? I see some as low as $40 but some of these sites look way sketchy with awful reviews to match. Has anyone had any experience with these sites and know of any reputable ones? Or am I best off going directly to the source?
It looks like if I purchase a key I am getting the full retail version. Is this correct? Is there a way to get an OEM key or is this only available in a box?
Honestly, if I can find a cheap enough retail key I see no reason to go OEM since, from my understanding, there are only license limitations and no outright advantages to OEM other than price. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
And lastly, is there any reason to purchase a boxed version vs. simply downloading it and buying a key? The latter seems like a much quicker and easier option, especially considering I have already downloaded the iso from Microsoft. Is the boxed version just for people who don't have the speed, bandwidth and/or knowledge to download and burn it or make a bootable flash drive, or is there something else I'm not aware of?
Thanks in advance for any input!
I'm aware I can download a Windows 8.1 image directly from Microsoft and simply purchase a key to install/activate it. Are there reputable places to buy keys that aren't as expensive as Microsoft's online store? I see some as low as $40 but some of these sites look way sketchy with awful reviews to match. Has anyone had any experience with these sites and know of any reputable ones? Or am I best off going directly to the source?
It looks like if I purchase a key I am getting the full retail version. Is this correct? Is there a way to get an OEM key or is this only available in a box?
Honestly, if I can find a cheap enough retail key I see no reason to go OEM since, from my understanding, there are only license limitations and no outright advantages to OEM other than price. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
And lastly, is there any reason to purchase a boxed version vs. simply downloading it and buying a key? The latter seems like a much quicker and easier option, especially considering I have already downloaded the iso from Microsoft. Is the boxed version just for people who don't have the speed, bandwidth and/or knowledge to download and burn it or make a bootable flash drive, or is there something else I'm not aware of?
Thanks in advance for any input!
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