retail version of windows 8 pro

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  As I understand it Microsoft since the release of 8 no longer do a "retail" version of it. If you've got an existing licence for xp, vista or 7 then an upgrade is easily the cheapest option, but if you're building a fresh PC or adding a virtual instance to an existing machine then you can buy a Windows 8 Pro System Builder licence. Unlike previously this version is available to normal users, not just full on OEM's.

  There's some details of the system builder licence for personal use here http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en-gb/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx#fbid=DfvRmQB4_pd

  • Marked as answer by fsze88ATmeDOTcom Monday, May 13, 2013 9:16 AM

  Friday, May 10, 2013 9:31 PM
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  In the US, there is no full retail version of Windows 8 available.

  The closest thing to a full retail version is a System Builder copy. It's different from the old Windows 7 System Builder license: the Win8 one can be used on your own PC, and it can be transferred to a new PC of yours. (If you sell the PC, it's supposed to act like an OEM license: not transferrable to a new PC for the buyer.)

  Oddly, in the US, the Win8 System Builder copy is much cheaper than the retail upgrade copy. Makes no sense at all. (My licenses were from the $40 introductory offer.)

  • Marked as answer by fsze88ATmeDOTcom Monday, May 13, 2013 9:16 AM

  Saturday, May 11, 2013 2:57 AM
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  it can be transferred to a new PC of yours. (If you sell the PC, it's supposed to act like an OEM license: not transferrable to a new PC for the buyer.)

  I don't understand, can or can't on underline word

  on http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprogeneral/thread/a68e0308-e381-4b03-b69b-59e138b0dcf4

  anyway,  is

  Upgrade version is transferrable ?

  (OEM) System Builder copy is transferrable ?

  Confuse

  Thank You!!!!
  

  
  

  Saturday, May 11, 2013 3:19 AM
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  it can be transferred to a new PC of yours. (If you sell the PC, it's supposed to act like an OEM license: not transferrable to a new PC for the buyer.)

  I don't understand, can or can't on underline word

  on http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprogeneral/thread/a68e0308-e381-4b03-b69b-59e138b0dcf4

  anyway,  is

  Upgrade version is transferrable ?

  (OEM) System Builder copy is transferrable ?

  Confuse

  Thank You!!!!
  

  
  

  A System Builder license is transferable to a new PC that you own.

  If you sell a PC with a System Builder license, the new owner is not permitted to transfer it to a new PC. (I have no idea how that is enforced.)

  A retail upgrade license can also be transferred to a new PC. Some have told me that it's OK to use it that way if the new PC has no operating system that qualifies for the use of an upgrade license by itself, but I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. (It's physically possible to install and activate an upgrade copy on a blank hard drive, but it's not permitted under the license.)

  I hope that I'm not adding to the confusion.

  • Marked as answer by fsze88ATmeDOTcom Monday, May 13, 2013 9:18 AM

  Sunday, May 12, 2013 4:47 PM
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  Beginning with Windows 8, the System Builder license terms are stated in the new Personal Use License, which permits transfer to another party ("someone else").

  
  

  It is a word-for-word duplication of the transfer terms in the regular Retail Upgrade License.

  
  

  Decide for yourself if that means the Retail Upgrade may be transferred clean to an unformatted computer, in the same way the System Builder edition can.

  The license terms regarding transfer are word-for-word identical.

  
  
  
  

  • Marked as answer by fsze88ATmeDOTcom Monday, May 13, 2013 9:20 AM
  • Edited by Dimitri Nickolaѕ Wednesday, August 28, 2013 11:49 PM

  Sunday, May 12, 2013 8:10 PM