iStEyR
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Which windows version should I get?

I have a Windows 8 upgrade disc and I want to install it with prior existing windows rather than do a clean install.

 

Which version will work so I can use the upgrade disc?  I have no windows at all on the mac right now.

 

Does a retail version and OEM Sytem builder work the same toward the upgrade or do i need a specific version?

 

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 4, 2014 10:19 AM

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iStEyR

Q: Which windows version should I get?

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  • by Jaygyver,

    Jaygyver Jaygyver Feb 4, 2014 9:32 PM in response to iStEyR
    Level 3 (735 points)
    Feb 4, 2014 9:32 PM in response to iStEyR

    If you install an older Windows OS first your going to have a clean install anyway, right?

    If you already have a retail version of XP or newer then legally you can install "Upgrade" W8 and you might as well just clean install it. Why spend hours installing and updating everything on the old OS just to immediately do it again?

     

    If you have XP (or Vista) then you don't have a choice of clean install or not as of W7 and above it will not "upgrade" the OS, it is a completely different version and will completely erase it. Everything.

     

    From what I understand, unfortunately a "system builders" disc is basically tied to what ever computer you install it to, if you sell or throw away a Windows computer  (or build a computer from scratch and install the "system builder" version onto it) legally you can't keep the OS and use it on another computer. Only a retail version can legally change computers.

     

    With Windows 7 "Upgrade" version you could do a clean install without the previous version being installed so I don't know if you still can.

     

    Also, Boot Camp has not made updated drivers to fully support W-8.1 yet so some hardware may not work to it's fullest potentail. Bottom of Question/Answer #5.

    Don't forget to read everything on the Boot Camp page referencing W8 as a few things have changed from installing W7.