Windows upgrade on an empty harddrive?

[DJ46]

Hi guys!

As you could've seen, dust is settling on my build log. It's because I have to figure out what to do with my OS situation. Let me describe it:

- I won a "copy of Windows 8" (as Linus called it) on an old livestream. (Thanks Linus and Timmy btw)

- Since Timmy on his video said it was an upgrade from 7/Vista/XP and Linus said it's a copy of Windows 8, I wasn't sure what I actually won. Turned out to be the upgrade.

- In my build, I'm running a Pegatron board (HP pre-built PCs baby) with a disgusting PCB. Bought a Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P with a matte black PCB.

- When you change a board, you need to reinstall your OS. Change of the board is a change of a computer for Microsoft. With a retail OEM version you can do it (as you guys told me), but not with a preinstalled one on a retail computer. So, I need an OS.

- After having a really hard time selling the upgrade, the key (because it was not worth it to ship it to Europe) us still unused and for me, useless.

- After loosing all hope, I found this:

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/3435649/how-install-windows-8-upgrade-on-empty-hard-drive/

but I'm not sure if it will work or not. And, I don't want to end up with a useless computer and an activated upgrade.

Any suggestions? I seriosly don't know what to do.

P.S.: I'm doing all this 'cause I can't afford a copy of Windows 8. I need money for a lot of other stuff.

[sonarctica]

Borrow your friends XP/Vista/7 and run the trial version of it, then upgrade it to Windows 8... that should work I think. I was facing same kind of situation few years back when my HDD died, I bought a Win 7 upgrade because I thought I still had my Vista cd somewhere but I didn't.. ended up using a Win 7 Loader to activate my Windows into a OEM version. Hasn't given me any trouble yet and works fine.

[DJ46]

Will it work with a not activated XP/Vista/7? I thought it has to be activated.

If I ever have to reinstall it/when I get an SSD, will it work?

[Darell3]

Will it work with a not activated XP/Vista/7? I thought it has to be activated.

If I ever have to reinstall it/when I get an SSD, will it work?

It will work. After installing it just activate it.

[DJ46]

Will it work with a downloaded bootable USB of XP/Vista/7?

[mybeat]

You can install an upgrade version of win8 to an empty hard drive, then you need to change 1 registry entry for it to active (either google it or pm me).

[DJ46]

You can install an upgrade version of win8 to an empty hard drive, then you need to change 1 registry entry for it to active (either google it or pm me).

Is the tutorial I posted in my first post here right? If yes, I can just use that.

[mybeat]

Is the tutorial I posted in my first post here right? If yes, I can just use that.

Yep they mention that registry fix.

[mc141]

is it possible to do the old vista trick where u install vista with out product key then do an upgrad with product key over the fake version u first installed

[mc141]

what about the old vista upgrade  on empty drive trick version trick

[mc141]

what about the old vista upgrade  on empty drive trick version trick

oops double post lol

[ShadyHost]

try a $4 flash drive from amazon or check your local store to see what they have.

make a bootable installer?