Windows 8 who's buying/upgrading

Installed it on my MacBook Air tonight as I got it free off the dreamspark thing. Still taking a while to get used to but I'll still upgrade my desktop to it. Just waiting for a new SSD to arrive.

The most annoying thing about installing it on MacBook is that it seems to be unable to do the tutorial. When it first says move the mouse to the right of the screen you can't do it and eventually it skips it (I think).
 
I have several windows keys, XP, 2000 both 32 bit and no longer used as well as Win 7 keys that I do use.

Will I be able to use a Win xp32 bit key to obtain a Win 8 64bit upgrade and will we be able to format and undertake a clean install with the upgrade?

I ask as I am thinking now may be the time to go SSD
 
Got it via MSDN. I quite like Metro. However I do object to trying to be sold stuff at every corner\my OS become monetised and use of the abbreviated term "apps". When did using the rest of that word become redundant? *fusty old man*
 
PaulW said:
maybe this has been asked before already but does anyone know if the Upgrade needs win7 installed or just a serial. i dont like upgrading OS's i'd rather do a fresh install and just add in the Wni 7 serial when required. seems pointless having to install win7 just to istall windows 8.

im guessing this is what MS will do, be silly i they don't but stranger decisions have been made by MS in the past.
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sydeccles said:
I have several windows keys, XP, 2000 both 32 bit and no longer used as well as Win 7 keys that I do use.

Will I be able to use a Win xp32 bit key to obtain a Win 8 64bit upgrade and will we be able to format and undertake a clean install with the upgrade?

I ask as I am thinking now may be the time to go SSD
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An existing installation of Windows XP, Vista or 7 has to be present on the machine before the upgrade can take place. The upgrade process will verify that a legal version of Windows is installed and then ask if you want to upgrade the exising copy of windows or format the drive and perform a full installation. I don't think the key is required.

Also, the same process will take place if you create a boot disk/stick from the upgrade version. I.e. to reinstall you will have to install XP, Vista or 7 first.

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/...07/02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx

(the info is in the comments).
 
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It's not entirely clear.

Yes, you can upgrade from the Windows 8 Release Preview as long as you also have an underlying license for either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 as well.
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you will need to install that retail copy of Windows 7 you already have and then upgrade. A previous version of Windows (Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7) must be installed on the PC you are wanting to upgrade.
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regarding formatting your hard drive: if you prefer to format your hard drive as part of your upgrade experience, you can do so as long as you boot from media (bootable USB or DVD) and then format your hard drive from within the setup experience for installing Windows 8 Pro, not prior to it.
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wolvers said:
It's not entirely clear.
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i,m confused ha! what i want to know is it better to do a format and full install of windows 8 or is an upgrade as good ? the advantage being that you can keep all your files etc but if you format you lose everything unless you save to disc of course :confused:
 
I'd say it is quite clear (with the exception of updating from the RC).
That to use the upgrade, even if you plan on fomatting and starting again, the previous version of Windows must already be installed on the machine.
Seems a mad way of doing it, but as that article is only about 3 months old you've got assume it's telling the truth.

If you want the ability to install onto a totally fresh HD, then it's System Builder you want.
 
stoofa said:
I'd say it is quite clear (with the exception of updating from the RC).
That to use the upgrade, even if you plan on fomatting and starting again, the previous version of Windows must already be installed on the machine.
Seems a mad way of doing it, but as that article is only about 3 months old you've got assume it's telling the truth.

If you want the ability to install onto a totally fresh HD, then it's System Builder you want.
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right ..but what does it mean by the nothing install ?http://blogs.windows.com/cfs-filesy...00-59-23-metablogapi/6472.2_5F00_16192CD8.png is that the same as a full install like the old windows 7 where you format before you install the OS ?
 
In that case I guess you could have win 7 installed on one hard drive and choose a new/second hard drive for the installation, e.g Win 7 on convention HD and choose to install Win 8 on an SSD
 
sydeccles said:
In that case I guess you could have win 7 installed on one hard drive and choose a new/second hard drive for the installation, e.g Win 7 on convention HD and choose to install Win 8 on an SSD
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ok good point , but could you install windows 8 on a second interna(l E Drive HDD ) and then add all your programs across from the C Drive ? as windows always was installed on the C/ Drive .. On my p.c i have 2 1T HDD labelled C & E
 
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jamjar said:
i,m confused ha! what i want to know is it better to do a format and full install of windows 8 or is an upgrade as good ? the advantage being that you can keep all your files etc but if you format you lose everything unless you save to disc of course :confused:
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I've not seen any performance issues doing in place upgrades of Windows 8. In fact if your Windows 7 install is running pretty well, it's probably better to do the upgrade, no hunting for any drivers, all your data intact, all your programs installed and work (the upgrade assistant will tell you of any potential issues).

If you find something wrong after the upgrade, and really want a clean install, then just run the refresh from within Windows 8 and in 5-10mins or so you'll have a perfectly clean install to start from.
 
ChileanLlama said:
I've not seen any performance issues doing in place upgrades of Windows 8. In fact if your Windows 7 install is running pretty well, it's probably better to do the upgrade, no hunting for any drivers, all your data intact, all your programs installed and work (the upgrade assistant will tell you of any potential issues).

If you find something wrong after the upgrade, and really want a clean install, then just run the refresh from within Windows 8 and in 5-10mins or so you'll have a perfectly clean install to start from.
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okay sounds like a good idea , out of interest what is a refresh ? is that on the windows 8 upgrade download ?
 
jamjar said:
okay sounds like a good idea , out of interest what is a refresh ? is that on the windows 8 upgrade download ?
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It's a new option in Windows 8, and you may need your DVD or USB (you'll be able to create these when you purchase the online upgrade).

In the Metro PC Settings there you're able to choose either a refresh or a reset. Answer a few questions and Windows is reinstalled in a few minutes.

Refresh reinstalls Windows but leaves your files intact.

Reset resets your PC to factory settings, i.e. a clean install.

Basically it's the same as on previous versions where you'd boot from the DVD/USB stick and install, but it's all done from within Windows and is very fast. There's also the option to change the image, so you can install drivers/programs etc, create a new image and then refresh or reset will bring you back to that state.
 
I've upgraded from Release Preview which although doesn't save your software it migrates all your data and certain sertings. It's running sweet as a nut and even my skydrive and favourites survived.
 
ChileanLlama said:
It's a new option in Windows 8, and you may need your DVD or USB (you'll be able to create these when you purchase the online upgrade).

In the Metro PC Settings there you're able to choose either a refresh or a reset. Answer a few questions and Windows is reinstalled in a few minutes.

Refresh reinstalls Windows but leaves your files intact.

Reset resets your PC to factory settings, i.e. a clean install.

Basically it's the same as on previous versions where you'd boot from the DVD/USB stick and install, but it's all done from within Windows and is very fast. There's also the option to change the image, so you can install drivers/programs etc, create a new image and then refresh or reset will bring you back to that state.
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thanks very informative :) so i take it you did an upgrade from win 7 ? and have you noticed any perfornance difference ? is the win 8 upgrade faster on start up and shut down etc ?
 
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