Is there a retail version of 64-bit Windows 8 Pro?

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of Windows
8 Pro? I do not want an OEM (System Builder) version. Retail licenses
allowed you to move the O/S to a new computer. OEM licenses are tied
to the computer to which you originally install it.

On 12/14/2012 3:37 PM, Yes wrote:
Retail licenses
allowed you to move the O/S to a new computer. OEM licenses are tied
to the computer to which you originally install it.

Not technically true. EULA says so but MS wipes the "genuine" hash clean
every 120 days.

--
Alias

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

Windows 8 Professional System Builder DVD 64-Bit is available at Amazon for
$139.99

"Yes" wrote in message ...

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

On Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:17:47 -0500, "Steve"
wrote:

Windows 8 Professional System Builder DVD 64-Bit is available at Amazon for
$139.99


Please see his original message, which said "I do not want an OEM
(System Builder) version."

And please do not use Windows Live Mail for posting in newsgroups. It
royally screws up quoting.




"Yes" wrote in message ...

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

--
Ken Blake

"Yes" wrote:

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

Obviously you didn't.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare



--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

On Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:48:02 -0700, "XS11E"
wrote in article ...

"Yes" wrote:

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

Obviously you didn't.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything at that link about retail
versions of Windows 8, just a comparison between Windows RT, Windows 8,
and Windows 8 Pro, and an offer for the upgrade version.

--
Zaphod

Adventurer, ex-hippie, good-timer (crook? quite possibly),
manic self-publicist, terrible bad at personal relationships,
often thought to be completely out to lunch.

Then the op gets nothing....which is more important that what news reader a poster chose to use to reply.

Full retail versions like they were for previous o/s will no longer be available from MSFT or resellers.

The full retail version and the OEM System Builder versions available as separate products in the past are now combined into one
single package - Personal Use System Builder Version (the OEM tag is no longer used by MSFT but is being used by resellers).

Unlike previous full retail versions (which included 32 bit and 64 bit DVDs) and like previous OEM System Builder versions the Win8
Personal Use - System Builder versions only come in 32 bit or 64 bit packages (i.e. only one DVD 32 or 64 bit but not both)

--
....winston
msft mvp


"Ken Blake" wrote in message ...

On Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:17:47 -0500, "Steve"
wrote:

Windows 8 Professional System Builder DVD 64-Bit is available at Amazon for
$139.99


Please see his original message, which said "I do not want an OEM
(System Builder) version."

And please do not use Windows Live Mail for posting in newsgroups. It
royally screws up quoting.




"Yes" wrote in message ...

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

--
Ken Blake

Microsoft, unlike earlier version of Windows (7, Vista, XP) will not be providing a stand-alone retail version of Windows 8.

In the past MSFT provided full retail versions of their o/s and also an OEM System Builder version. With the advent of Windows 8.
- The full version retail and the OEM System Builder version is now one single package called Windows 8 Personal Use - System
Builder version (while web sites are marketing the version with an OEM tag, in MSFT speak the OEM term was dropped).

Thus if you wish a full retail version of Win8 64bit you do have to purchase the Personal Use System Builder 64 bit version.

Also unlike previous full retail versions (which included both 32/64bit DVD) and like previous OEM full versions the Personal Use
System Builder version only comes in one flavor - 32 bit or 64 bit but not both....thus ensure when purchasing the full Personal
Use System Builder version you choose the right flavor (32 bit or 64 bit).

--
....winston
msft mvp


"Yes" wrote in message ...

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of Windows
8 Pro? I do not want an OEM (System Builder) version. Retail licenses
allowed you to move the O/S to a new computer. OEM licenses are tied
to the computer to which you originally install it.

On 12/14/2012 12:17 PM, Zaphod Beeblebrox wrote:
On Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:48:02 -0700, "XS11E"
wrote in article ...

"Yes" wrote:

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

Obviously you didn't.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything at that link about retail
versions of Windows 8, just a comparison between Windows RT, Windows 8,
and Windows 8 Pro, and an offer for the upgrade version.

According to Microsoft's site (answers.microsoft.com) They do not offer
windows 8 retail per say instead purchase the systembuilder cd from
somewhere like newegg.com. The link for that statement is here.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...4-2235322437e1.

"..winston" wrote:

Then the op gets nothing....which is more important that what news reader a poster chose to use to reply.

And in some newsreaders, your long line would get truncated. Not all of
them line wrap. Gateways that leech from Usenet keep the overly long
lines resulting in users have to scroll. I believe even WLM lets the
user configure the maximum physical line length.

The following quoted lines were rewrapped at 72 chars/line, or less.

Full retail versions like they were for previous o/s will no longer
be available from MSFT or resellers.

So now everyone that buys a non-bundled OEM copy (what an OEM bundles
with their hardware) of Windows gets a system builder version?

The full retail version and the OEM System Builder versions available
as separate products in the past are now combined into one single
package - Personal Use System Builder Version (the OEM tag is no
longer used by MSFT but is being used by resellers).

So, after installing the personal-use system builder version on one
computer, are users permitted to migrate that license to another
computer? Or are all licences post-Windows 7 now tied to a specific
computer as were the prior OEM and system builder licenses?

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...e-license.aspx

From that article, it looks like users are now phucked regarding resale
of the license when they no longer want it.

Q. What happens if I build a PC with a Personal Use License, then
later decide to sell it?

A. You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to
you.

So this is how the retail license worked before (for your use on a
different one of your computers).

You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a
computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user
of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this
agreement.

That is different than the old retail license. There was no having to
track who was the "first licensed user". A retail license could be
resold any number of times. User #1 builds their host, builds another
but wants a later version of Windows, so he sells off his old retail
license. User #2 buys the license but never uses it (a newer version
already came out or he never build or bought another host on which to
use that license), so he sells it off. User #3 buys the license, puts
on his computer, his computer burns up in a fire, he decides to go with
some other OS, and sells off the license. User #4 now has the license.
With this new licensing scheme for the "personal-use" system builder
license, users #3 and #4 have illegal copies. Users #3 and #4 have no
way of knowing user #2 was not the "first licensed user". Even
resellers that sell to other resellers or to users that never use the
license but resell it are going to generate havoc regarding what is or
is not a valid license. None of them know if from whom they purchased
was the "first licensed user" or not.

Microsoft is certainly muddying its licensing. No one will know if the
seller was the first licensed user. Hell, even the seller probably
won't know.

Unlike previous full retail versions (which included 32 bit and 64
bit DVDs) and like previous OEM System Builder versions the Win8
Personal Use - System Builder versions only come in 32 bit or 64 bit
packages (i.e. only one DVD 32 or 64 bit but not both)

So owners of 64-bit software that originally get the 64-bit edition of
Windows 8 who decide they need the 32-bit edition because of 64-bit
driver problems or lack of them or programs that don't like 64-bit mode
will have to buy another license for the 32-bit edition of Windows 8?
If they can't move forward to 64-bit to match their hardware but find
software is lacking, they have to re-pay to move backward to 32-bit. Oh
what a wonderful scheme.

http://pcsupport.about.com/b/2012/10...it-64-bit.htm:
When you download Windows 8 Pro Upgrade from Microsoft, you'll get the
64-bit version if it's compatible with your computer. If not, you'll
get the 32-bit download. If you purchase a Windows 8 Pro Upgrade from
a retail store or online, you can choose which you'd like to install
once you get it home.
and
System Builder versions of Windows 8 are packaged separately so you'll
need to decide on 32-bit vs 64-bit prior to your purchase.

Tis likely most users have 64-bit capable hardware when they download
the upgrade but that might be the version they want. That Windows can
use 64-bit mode doesn't mean the user's drivers and apps support it.
Sounds like you're saying users could end up having to pay for 2
upgrades: the 64-bit edition because they have 64-bit hardware and the
32-bit version because they still need to run 32-bit mode on their
64-bit hardware. Oh joy. Most users won't know there will be a problem
with the 64-bit version until after they install it and then start
installing drivers and apps. Then it's too late and they'll have to pay
again to get the 32-bit edition.

Windows 8 is getting even less inviting.

--
snipped the 30 line signature

Twas certainly a long signature in your reply since everything you
quoted was *after* the sigdash line.

[:] Responses inline

"VanguardLH" wrote in message ...

So now everyone that buys a non-bundled OEM copy (what an OEM bundles
with their hardware) of Windows gets a system builder version?
[:] Yes

So, after installing the personal-use system builder version on one
computer, are users permitted to migrate that license to another
computer? Or are all licences post-Windows 7 now tied to a specific
computer as were the prior OEM and system builder licenses?
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...e-license.aspx

From that article, it looks like users are now phucked regarding resale
of the license when they no longer want it.

Q. What happens if I build a PC with a Personal Use License, then
later decide to sell it?
A. You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to
you.
So this is how the retail license worked before (for your use on a
different one of your computers).

You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a
computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user
of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this
agreement.

That is different than the old retail license. There was no having to
track who was the "first licensed user". A retail license could be
resold any number of times. User #1 builds their host, builds another
but wants a later version of Windows, so he sells off his old retail
license. User #2 buys the license but never uses it (a newer version
already came out or he never build or bought another host on which to
use that license), so he sells it off. User #3 buys the license, puts
on his computer, his computer burns up in a fire, he decides to go with
some other OS, and sells off the license. User #4 now has the license.
With this new licensing scheme for the "personal-use" system builder
license, users #3 and #4 have illegal copies. Users #3 and #4 have no
way of knowing user #2 was not the "first licensed user". Even
resellers that sell to other resellers or to users that never use the
license but resell it are going to generate havoc regarding what is or
is not a valid license. None of them know if from whom they purchased
was the "first licensed user" or not.

Microsoft is certainly muddying its licensing. No one will know if the
seller was the first licensed user. Hell, even the seller probably
won't know.

[:] See Ed Bott's articles for an understanding of MSFT Win8 licensing
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-radic...-8-7000002866/
and
http://www.zdnet.com/how-the-new-win...ou-7000003028/


Unlike previous full retail versions (which included 32 bit and 64
bit DVDs) and like previous OEM System Builder versions the Win8
Personal Use - System Builder versions only come in 32 bit or 64 bit
packages (i.e. only one DVD 32 or 64 bit but not both)

So owners of 64-bit software that originally get the 64-bit edition of
Windows 8 who decide they need the 32-bit edition because of 64-bit
driver problems or lack of them or programs that don't like 64-bit mode
will have to buy another license for the 32-bit edition of Windows 8?
If they can't move forward to 64-bit to match their hardware but find
software is lacking, they have to re-pay to move backward to 32-bit. Oh
what a wonderful scheme.
[:] Just like they did with OEM System versions in the past
- only 32 or 64 bit per purchase.


http://pcsupport.about.com/b/2012/10...it-64-bit.htm:
When you download Windows 8 Pro Upgrade from Microsoft, you'll get the
64-bit version if it's compatible with your computer. If not, you'll
get the 32-bit download. If you purchase a Windows 8 Pro Upgrade from
a retail store or online, you can choose which you'd like to install
once you get it home.
and
System Builder versions of Windows 8 are packaged separately so you'll
need to decide on 32-bit vs 64-bit prior to your purchase.
[:] Yes

Tis likely most users have 64-bit capable hardware when they download
the upgrade but that might be the version they want. That Windows can
use 64-bit mode doesn't mean the user's drivers and apps support it.
Sounds like you're saying users could end up having to pay for 2
upgrades: the 64-bit edition because they have 64-bit hardware and the
32-bit version because they still need to run 32-bit mode on their
64-bit hardware. Oh joy. Most users won't know there will be a problem
with the 64-bit version until after they install it and then start
installing drivers and apps. Then it's too late and they'll have to pay
again to get the 32-bit edition.
[:] When purchasing an upgrade a link is provided via email to download in the future.
- the pc used to access it determines the bit-ness of the download
- Note: you only get one license per purchase, not the right to download
and install both on separate hardware.
i.e. you need both, you pay for both.

Windows 8 is getting even less inviting.

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

XS11E wrote:

"Yes" wrote:

Does Microsoft offer a RETAIL version of the 64-bit version of
Windows 8 Pro?

Yes, of course. Check MSFT's site for more information.

I did already, which is why I'm asking here.

Obviously you didn't.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare

Obviously, I did. That was one of the first pages I found. Search for
the word 'retail' on it! As noted elsewhere, it compares the flavors,
not the licensing terms. Your response didn't address my question and
is insulting. Not only had I read that page but had even directly
contacted the MS pre-sales phone number, which was also disappointing
because the representative seemed to be working from a script and gave
no clear answer.

...winston wrote:

Microsoft, unlike earlier version of Windows (7, Vista, XP) will not
be providing a stand-alone retail version of Windows 8.

In the past MSFT provided full retail versions of their o/s and also
an OEM System Builder version. With the advent of Windows 8. - The
full version retail and the OEM System Builder version is now one
single package called Windows 8 Personal Use - System Builder version
(while web sites are marketing the version with an OEM tag, in MSFT
speak the OEM term was dropped).

Thus if you wish a full retail version of Win8 64bit you do have to
purchase the Personal Use System Builder 64 bit version.

Also unlike previous full retail versions (which included both
32/64bit DVD) and like previous OEM full versions the Personal Use
System Builder version only comes in one flavor - 32 bit or 64 bit
but not both....thus ensure when purchasing the full Personal Use
System Builder version you choose the right flavor (32 bit or 64 bit).

As I stated originally, I'm interested in the 64-bit Windows 8 Pro
version.

Are you saying that the license of the 64-bit Windows 8 Pro System
Builder version allows the purchaser of the license to move the license
to another computer when that purchaser buys, upgrades or builds a new
computer?

I'm not talking about installing the O/S to run concurrently on two
plus machines, simply the case that I built my pc so that I could
upgrade the CPU, memory and hard drives over time and as my budget
permits. Under the EULA for the prior versions (say, for example,
Windows XP), the retail version allowed the purchaser to move the O/S
to newer machines. The OEM version did not; if you upgraded your CPU,
for example, you had to buy a new license. Granted, Microsoft was
lenient about that, but it was an issue that could come back to bite
you in the a$$.

I've got to say that it feels like Microsoft is screwing those who
upgrade their computer hardware over time rather than buying a new pc.
For me at least, I want to do the 'right thing' relative to the
license, but it's just not economically feasible to buy a new license
every time I choose to upgrade the CPU, RAM or hard drive(s), yet a
zealous Microsoft attorney would argue that that is what must be done.