Can't find Windows 8.1 Pro Full Version in UK, help needed please

marc2003 · 4 Feb 2014 at 22:12

32/64bit have never came on the same disk. it is possible to create your own with a bit of geekery but honestly, who wants 32bit these days? i had 8GB ram in 2008*.

*still only 8GB now.

branskyj · 4 Feb 2014 at 22:24

True, even smartphones are shifting to 64bit I see

Oh well, I'll be hitting the bed now. I will write tomorrow just to confirm on the price.
Thanks again, guys and have a good one.

marc2003 · 4 Feb 2014 at 22:27

i just noticed you're a new member so you will have to pay postage. that might bump the cost towards 110. :eek:

theheyes · 4 Feb 2014 at 23:16

I nailed the answer for you in post #4 and not a single thanks(!)

This is an outrage.

Mynight · 4 Feb 2014 at 23:22

Yh but I linked it

Cheers from me at least if it is a full pro copy I will be saving a fair amount soon. So thank you! It's too easy to forget ocuk does software as well

branskyj · 5 Feb 2014 at 08:10

theheyes said:
I nailed the answer for you in post #4 and not a single thanks(!)

This is an outrage.

So sorry about that, buddy

Thank you, thank you, thank you,thank you,thank you.
Better later than never

Have a good one.

theheyes · 5 Feb 2014 at 12:23

No worries I was only kidding. Glad you found what you were looking for.

branskyj · 5 Feb 2014 at 13:39

Well I spoke with OCUK today and indeed this is a full 8.1 Pro which could be installed if no prior Windows installation was there.
I already ordered it and will install during the weekend.
Cheers guys for all the help.

andshrew · 5 Feb 2014 at 13:58

Mynight said:
I'm still intrigued to know how ocuk can sell it so cheap I know they're normally competitive with everyone but that's quite a reduction.

Unless there have been changes to how licenses work between 7 and 8...

It's cheaper because it's the OEM license ie. tied to a single PC once activated. Other retailers sell this just as cheap. This is fine if you only replace your PC every few years and tend to just use whatever is the current Windows at the time.

The £180+ version from Microsoft Store will be the retail version which can be re-installed and re-activated on whatever PC you want as long as it's only one at a time.

theheyes · 5 Feb 2014 at 14:16

andshrew said:
Unless there have been changes to how licenses work between 7 and 8...

There have indeed been changes.

Glaucus · 5 Feb 2014 at 14:23

andshrew said:
Unless there have been changes to how licenses work between 7 and 8...

It's cheaper because it's the OEM license ie. tied to a single PC once activated. Other retailers sell this just as cheap. This is fine if you only replace your PC every few years and tend to just use whatever is the current Windows at the time.

The £180+ version from Microsoft Store will be the retail version which can be re-installed and re-activated on whatever PC you want as long as it's only one at a time.

Since win8 OEM = retail.
Retail no longer exists at all.
OEM an be installed as many times you want on as many different systems as you want. As long as its only installed on 1 at a time.

andshrew · 5 Feb 2014 at 14:34

Glaucus said:
Since win8 OEM = retail.
Retail no longer exists at all.
OEM an be installed as many times you want on as many different systems as you want. As long as its only installed on 1 at a time.

Interesting, thanks.

Strange they would keep reference to OEM in the name if there is no difference now.

Mynight · 5 Feb 2014 at 14:42

andshrew said:
Interesting, thanks.

Strange they would keep reference to OEM in the name if there is no difference now.

You can understand my confusion now

Ive seen both OEM and Full Retail offered on certain retailers.

I found the old windows SKUs confusing enough just as I got them I'm somewhat lost again.

Either way OCUKs is full OEM so that will suffice for the 3 licenses I need in the next month or so.

theheyes · 5 Feb 2014 at 15:21

Just be glad you dont have to deal with volume licencing. It's a dark art.

Glaucus · 5 Feb 2014 at 16:12

andshrew said:
Interesting, thanks.

Strange they would keep reference to OEM in the name if there is no difference now.

They've changed it to simplify it. It is a bit odd they kept the OEM name rather than retail.
I'm sure people will get used to it though, as there are less versions now.

You basically have 5 for home use or 9 if you include 32/64bit. They should ditch 32bit for home use though.
Windows 8 upgrade/OEM
Windows 8pro upgrade/OEM (oriented towards business)
Windows 8 RT (only available on ore installed devices)

gpuerrilla · 5 Feb 2014 at 23:34

For students you can get Windows 8 Pro Student, the confusing part is assuming 'pro' means full version, then why in the description does it say:

Important: Windows 8.1 full version is for Windows 7 users only.

I own a W7 license, but want to put this on a fresh blank drive. I have been using the evaluation version and it's time to wipe and proper install.

Any users on here have the Student version to offer some clarity?

branskyj · 7 Feb 2014 at 19:19

OK, so I have installed Windows 8.1 Pro successfully. The package came on time (as usual OCUK were impeccable). THe DVD did not come in a box but was very well packed in a Windows package (thin carton with Windows credentials and so on...). I could be wrong but that might be why they call it OEM.
Cheers guys.