Windows 8/8.1 pro

[DanP]

Does anyone have an unused copy of Windows 8/8.1 knocking around they don't need anymore? I'd like to install it as a multi boot on my mac to get used to Win8, maybe play the odd game, etc. Any advice on where to get a copy cheap? I'd like to have a play with it but not for £190+

I really need the pro version so I can RDP into it.

LMK

Dan

 

[Alpha1]

It was just a £27 upgrade from Win7. See if you can go that route.

 

[DanP]

I need to be able to do a new fresh install onto my Mac using boot camp. I presume you can't do that with the upgrade version?

 

[ZedEx48K]

I need to be able to do a new fresh install onto my Mac using boot camp. I presume you can't do that with the upgrade version?

You can with a couple of tweaks, google will tell you, but here's one way.

Activating an UPGRADE copy of Windows 8 after install to a FRESH hard drive.

Open regedit by pressing Windows-q, entering regedit and selecting the result from the list of hits.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/

Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0

Go back to the start screen and enter cmd there.

Right-click Command Prompt and select to run it as administrator.

Type slmgr /rearm on the command line and hit enter.

Reboot Windows now.

Run the activation utility afterwards, enter your product key to activate Windows.

 

[Alpha1]

the upgrade path is the cheapest way and it appears you can do a fresh install so

 

[guddler]

The problem is the word "was". The upgrade price of £27 was a special price they did for a few months after launch. Not any more. I made a note to buy one at that price and STILL forgot.

If that info is incorrect then please let me know as I could do with buying a copy too!

 

[TonyElyod]

I got a FULL working Version from a member in US for $35

 

[Dazzzzz]

Amazon have the full version for £85
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-8-1-Full-Version/dp/B00FRAE7MU

Do you know any students?

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msuk/en_GB/pdp/productID.288533400

Dazzzzz2014-07-11 10:41:56

 

[guddler]

Sounds like we're arriving at the conclusion that excluding buying copies from mates (which may or may not be legal), the cheap upgrade path no longer exists? Anyone else confirm?

 

[Dazzzzz]

Sounds like we're arriving at the conclusion that excluding buying copies from mates (which may or may not be legal), the cheap upgrade path no longer exists? Anyone else confirm?

The only cheap upgrade/deal i currently know off is for students and staff at Universities, if you dont know anyone who is eligible in that way then im afraid until they do another offer your out of luck

oh and you cant buy unlimited amounts, maybe 1-2 per person from the student scheme

 

[anj]

im still not sold on win 8.1, im running 7 on all my pc's 8 is to tetchy and wont talk to half my gear including my wide format printer

 

[Dazzzzz]

im still not sold on win 8.1, im running 7 on all my pc's 8 is to tetchy and wont talk to half my gear including my wide format printer

i've had problems running legacy stuff and devices but newer stuff (last 5 years) seemed ok to me, i actually love Windows 8 and find it a nice steady upgrade from Windows 7