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Windows 10 Upgrade Question

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Go to solution Solved by GoodBytes,

As demonix00 said, I still need to upgrade Win8 Pro to Win8.1 Pro to get the Win10 Pro? Does MS still offer the option to upgrade from Win8 to Win8.1 or will it go straight to 10?

 

and, I can't get Windows 10 on retail here. I'm actually into that shiney packaged boxed CD set thing, as I have one from Windows 7 :D

You need Windows 8.1, but 8.1 is a free upgrade for Windows 8.0 users.

 

So if you have Windows 8.0, you need to:

install Windows 8.0 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 8.1 (which will now appear) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 8.1:

install Windows 8.1 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 7:

install Windows 7 -> install all the updates -> Get the latest service pack -> install all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

The closer you are to Windows 10, the faster it is to do. While Windows 7 looks simpler, keep in mind it has a huge number of updates, and you'll need to do a great number of restarts.

Posted

Hi, so I'm planning on getting a new system this holiday season and I'm wondering which operating system I should buy.

 

Here's a list of the available operating systems for sale on retail here arranged from least expensive to most expensive -

 

Win8.1 OEM 32/64 bit medialess*

Win8 Pro FPP

Win8.1 OEM 64 bit

 

*I have no idea what the "medialess" there means by the way.

And the difference in prices of the ones listed above aren't that huge, but I'd rather save that little bit of cash anyway.

 

So, I'm wondering which one here grants me full access to upgrade to Windows 10.

 

Are there different versions of Windows 10?

If there are, should I be concerned?

 

This is the cheapest way to get Windows 10, right?

 

Any tips?

You can bark like a dog, but that won't make you a dog.

You can act like someone you're not, but that won't change who you are.

 

Finished Crysis without a discrete GPU,15 FPS average, and a lot of heart

 

How I plan my builds -

Spoiler

For me I start with the "There's no way I'm not gonna spend $1,000 on a system."

Followed by the "Wow I need to buy the OS for a $100!?"

Then "Let's start with the 'best budget GPU' and 'best budget CPU' that actually fits what I think is my budget."

Realizing my budget is a lot less, I work my way to "I think these new games will run on a cheap ass CPU."

Then end with "The new parts launching next year is probably gonna be better and faster for the same price so I'll just buy next year."

 

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Medialess means you have no disk or anything. You MIGHT be able to download it, but not, then all you have is the product key, and it is up to you to find the right edition and version of Windows matching the product key.

I suggest to pay the extra and get the disk.

I don't know what "FPP" means, so go at your own risk.

All the mentioned Windows will get you Windows 10 upgrade for free. You have until July 29th, 2016 to get it. Personally, I would get Windows 10 disk, or USB flash drive (which is new), but that is me.

You have 2 editions (for the consumer) of Windows 10.

-> Windows 10

-> Windows 10 Pro.

If you have Windows 8.1 Pro, you'll get Windows 10 Pro.

If you have Windows 8.1, you'll get Windows 10.

If you have Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center add-on purchased (10$), as Media center is gone from Windows 10, you'll get Windows 10 Pro with a DVD player app included free for that specific PC. If you re-install Windows 10, you'll want to install Windows 8.1 Pro then install the Media Center add-on, and then upgrade to Windows 10, else you'll loose the DVD player app. Normally, Windows 10 does not include the ability to play DVD movies, like Windows 8.x without Media Center add-on. You can buy the app (15$), if you want, and it is good for 10 PCs using the same account, and if you do buy it, it ties with your account, so if you clean install Windows 10 directly, you'll have it back no problem.

Windows 10 like previous version of Windows, has 3x licenses

-> OEM

-> OEM System Builder

-> Retail

OEM is a license that you can't get. Only trusted partners from Microsoft, such as Dell,Lenovo, HP, Acer, etc. can get it, as they get variable pricing based on the system they build, which varies from 0$ (free) to 50-60$ usually. Only way to know, is to buy a computer, don't agree at the Windows license agreement, contact Microsoft about you not agreeing, and then you'll be mailed a check. This license is tied to the computer. It cannot be transfered. You have no product key (it is stored in the UEFI chip)

OEM System Builder, is what you can buy in computer specialized stores. Many stores incorrectly identifies "OEM System Builder" as "OEM", which is incorrect, but that is what you can safely assume. You normally have to buy it with a peace of computer hardware (if the store follows its Microsoft agreement properly). This license is not transferable. It is tied to your motherboard. New motherboard -> new license of Windows.

Retail. You have the nice box, little manual to get started, and both 32 and 64-bit disks included (or you can get a USB flash drive version, in the case of Windows 10). This license cost more, but beside getting the nice box and all, you also have Microsoft 90 days support if you need help installing, and getting started with Windows. The up side of this license is that you CAN transfer to another system. As long as it is installed on 1 system at a time, you are good to go. If you plan to do many full system upgrade during the same version of Windows, this is the better option. It is also the only license where you have the right to resale you license (although the value that you'll get will be very low, as it is easy for you to sale the product key to someone else as well, and then you have 2 system that fights for activation and Microsoft bans the key).

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Windows 7 and 8 professional retail licenses can be obtained through Craigslist, reddit, or ebay for $50 and less. You'll want to make sure whatever license you get is retail, not OEM, and includes the 64 bit version.

 

Check here: https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

 

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 can be had for $25 - and gets the free upgrade to Windows 10 Professional.

You own the software that you purchase - Understanding software licenses and EULAs

 

"We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the american public believes is false" - William Casey, CIA Director 1981-1987

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If you have Windows 8.1 Pro, you'll get Windows 10 Pro.

Does this also apply to Windows 8 Pro FPP?

 

'Coz if it does, then I'll probably get that instead.

You can bark like a dog, but that won't make you a dog.

You can act like someone you're not, but that won't change who you are.

 

Finished Crysis without a discrete GPU,15 FPS average, and a lot of heart

 

How I plan my builds -

Spoiler

For me I start with the "There's no way I'm not gonna spend $1,000 on a system."

Followed by the "Wow I need to buy the OS for a $100!?"

Then "Let's start with the 'best budget GPU' and 'best budget CPU' that actually fits what I think is my budget."

Realizing my budget is a lot less, I work my way to "I think these new games will run on a cheap ass CPU."

Then end with "The new parts launching next year is probably gonna be better and faster for the same price so I'll just buy next year."

 

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Windows 8.1 will only get you windows 10 home when you upgrade, and windows 8 pro won't get you anything unless you upgrade it to 8.1 since windows 8 doesn't qualify but if you do upgrade it to 8.1 then you'll get windows 10 pro upon upgrading to windows 10.

 

I actually don't see the point in buying 8.1 or even 8 if you're planning on upgrading to 10 since at least in the UK the cost of 8.1 and 10 OEM versions is about the same and you wouldn't have to go through the upgrade process even if you didn't wait for the upgrade app to appear in the system tray.

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FPP: Full Packaged Product. That is retail license.

That is a term that Microsoft hasn't used in ages. It is just called retail.

 

Windows 8.1 will only get you windows 10 home when you upgrade, and windows 8 pro won't get you anything unless you upgrade it to 8.1 since windows 8 doesn't qualify but if you do upgrade it to 8.1 then you'll get windows 10 pro upon upgrading to windows 10.

 

I actually don't see the point in buying 8.1 or even 8 if you're planning on upgrading to 10 since at least in the UK the cost of 8.1 and 10 OEM versions is about the same and you wouldn't have to go through the upgrade process even if you didn't wait for the upgrade app to appear in the system tray.

 

As demonix00 said, I still need to upgrade Win8 Pro to Win8.1 Pro to get the Win10 Pro? Does MS still offer the option to upgrade from Win8 to Win8.1 or will it go straight to 10?

 

and, I can't get Windows 10 on retail here. I'm actually into that shiney packaged boxed CD set thing, as I have one from Windows 7 :D

You can bark like a dog, but that won't make you a dog.

You can act like someone you're not, but that won't change who you are.

 

Finished Crysis without a discrete GPU,15 FPS average, and a lot of heart

 

How I plan my builds -

Spoiler

For me I start with the "There's no way I'm not gonna spend $1,000 on a system."

Followed by the "Wow I need to buy the OS for a $100!?"

Then "Let's start with the 'best budget GPU' and 'best budget CPU' that actually fits what I think is my budget."

Realizing my budget is a lot less, I work my way to "I think these new games will run on a cheap ass CPU."

Then end with "The new parts launching next year is probably gonna be better and faster for the same price so I'll just buy next year."

 

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  • Solution

As demonix00 said, I still need to upgrade Win8 Pro to Win8.1 Pro to get the Win10 Pro? Does MS still offer the option to upgrade from Win8 to Win8.1 or will it go straight to 10?

 

and, I can't get Windows 10 on retail here. I'm actually into that shiney packaged boxed CD set thing, as I have one from Windows 7 :D

You need Windows 8.1, but 8.1 is a free upgrade for Windows 8.0 users.

 

So if you have Windows 8.0, you need to:

install Windows 8.0 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 8.1 (which will now appear) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 8.1:

install Windows 8.1 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 7:

install Windows 7 -> install all the updates -> Get the latest service pack -> install all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

The closer you are to Windows 10, the faster it is to do. While Windows 7 looks simpler, keep in mind it has a huge number of updates, and you'll need to do a great number of restarts.

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Thanks for all the help guys :)

This really is a helpful place.

 

Imma close the thread now (doesn't know how to close). May you all have a Merry Christmas!!! HO-HO-HOOOOOO (I think that's what my profile pic says...) :lol:

I might make a post of a new system I'm getting this holiday, cheers ^_^

You can bark like a dog, but that won't make you a dog.

You can act like someone you're not, but that won't change who you are.

 

Finished Crysis without a discrete GPU,15 FPS average, and a lot of heart

 

How I plan my builds -

Spoiler

For me I start with the "There's no way I'm not gonna spend $1,000 on a system."

Followed by the "Wow I need to buy the OS for a $100!?"

Then "Let's start with the 'best budget GPU' and 'best budget CPU' that actually fits what I think is my budget."

Realizing my budget is a lot less, I work my way to "I think these new games will run on a cheap ass CPU."

Then end with "The new parts launching next year is probably gonna be better and faster for the same price so I'll just buy next year."

 

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  • Author

You need Windows 8.1, but 8.1 is a free upgrade for Windows 8.0 users.

 

So if you have Windows 8.0, you need to:

install Windows 8.0 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 8.1 (which will now appear) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 8.1:

install Windows 8.1 -> (install Media Center Pack if you have it (applies to Pro edition), if not skip, and continue) -> do all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

If you have Windows 7:

install Windows 7 -> install all the updates -> Get the latest service pack -> install all the updates -> upgrade to Windows 10.

 

The closer you are to Windows 10, the faster it is to do. While Windows 7 looks simpler, keep in mind it has a huge number of updates, and you'll need to do a great number of restarts.

 

Last question, if I'm getting a new system, would you recommend I clean install Windows 8 first (not installing any drivers or anti-virus stuff), update it then upgrade to Windows 8, then upgrade to 10 before installing any other drivers, anti-virus, and other softwares?

You can bark like a dog, but that won't make you a dog.

You can act like someone you're not, but that won't change who you are.

 

Finished Crysis without a discrete GPU,15 FPS average, and a lot of heart

 

How I plan my builds -

Spoiler

For me I start with the "There's no way I'm not gonna spend $1,000 on a system."

Followed by the "Wow I need to buy the OS for a $100!?"

Then "Let's start with the 'best budget GPU' and 'best budget CPU' that actually fits what I think is my budget."

Realizing my budget is a lot less, I work my way to "I think these new games will run on a cheap ass CPU."

Then end with "The new parts launching next year is probably gonna be better and faster for the same price so I'll just buy next year."

 

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You'll need to install all your drivers in Win8, and once you upgrade Win10 should find all the Win10 drivers, if not you'll need to re-install them. If they aren't Win10 drivers available, install Win8 ones, or Win7 ones.

 

Clean install is up to you. If you used a register cleaner, system tweak tool, or had a malware or virus which infected your system, the I would recommend to clean install Windows 8, install your drivers, fully update it until it shows up, upgrade to o.1, fully update Windows again, until you see the Get Windows 10 app, reserve your copy, restart, wait a while until your wave comes to upgrade to Win10, and upgrade to Win10. Or after you upgraded to Win8.1, you can use Microsoft Media Creation Tool, which will upgrade directly your system to Win10.

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