4 ms·

From what it seems, I cannot download Windows 8 on my Mac for running in Bootcamp or VMWare. I have to download it using an executable from Microsoft that only

by b3b0p 14y ago

From what it seems, I cannot download Windows 8 on my Mac for running in Bootcamp or VMWare. I have to download it using an executable from Microsoft that only runs on Windows. This doesn't make sense to me. Why can't I just buy and download? Why not make it simple and easy for people to access it?

deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
kmfrk 14y ago
I think Microsoft insist on making users run the upgrade assistant to make sure people can run the OS. They ran into a major lawsuit once, because they advertised laptops as Windows-ready, when in fact they weren't. I believe this is the lawsuit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vista_capable_lawsuit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vist....
bunderbunder 14y ago
They're only selling upgrades for the Pro edition on their website for the time being. So if you already have Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate running in Bootcamp or VMWare, that's where you should be running the upgrade executable. If you're running Windows 7 Home or Home Premium, or don't already have a copy of Windows 7 at all, then what they're selling on their website isn't for you. You'll need to pick it up from a 3rd-party retailer for now. The fine print does suggest that they'll start selling all editions on their website in February. (Maybe they had some sort of agreement with retailers or OEMs?) In shopping around, I've seen the System Builder edition from a local big box retailer for as little as $80.
- yuhong 14y ago
  Actually the Win8 Pro upgrade is for all edition of Win7.
  - andrewmunsell 14y ago
    Yeah, I did the Windows 8 Pro upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium.
b3b0p 14y ago
Replying to myself here. Sorry, but it's obviously not clear. I don't know if Microsoft wants to hide this or they are assuming everyone has a copy of Windows already or what. Anyway, I just ran through this process at work. I downloaded the executable. Purchased Windows 8 for the price shown, $39.99. It took me through some steps. At the end, it gave me the option to create an ISO. I have done this and will try it later tonight when I get home to see if it lets me do a clean install of Windows 8 on VMWare.
- decode 14y ago
  I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. The Terms and Conditions make it clear this is only for upgrading a machine that already has Windows installed on it: "Each upgrade license applies to only one PC and you can install the upgrade only on PCs that have a valid base license and one of the following operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP (SP3)." http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/terms-conditions http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/terms-condition... During the upgrade process, you have the option of reformatting the hard drive and doing a "clean install", but it must be on the same disk that already has Windows installed on it. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/clean-install-with-windows-8-upgrade/17ff54f7-93db-4d5b-9725-92aa36e688ba http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-w...
  - b3b0p 14y ago
    Yeah, I screwed up. Then my co-worker got me to mount my ISO in VMWare, run the installer in Windows 8. It asked for the key. I put it in. It activated... I think. Successfully. I used it all weekend so far, without any issues, except I can't figure out how to use it, haha.

by b3b0p 14y ago

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

kmfrk 14y ago

I think Microsoft insist on making users run the upgrade assistant to make sure people can run the OS. They ran into a major lawsuit once, because they advertised laptops as Windows-ready, when in fact they weren't. I believe this is the lawsuit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vista_capable_lawsuit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vist....

bunderbunder 14y ago

They're only selling upgrades for the Pro edition on their website for the time being. So if you already have Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate running in Bootcamp or VMWare, that's where you should be running the upgrade executable. If you're running Windows 7 Home or Home Premium, or don't already have a copy of Windows 7 at all, then what they're selling on their website isn't for you. You'll need to pick it up from a 3rd-party retailer for now. The fine print does suggest that they'll start selling all editions on their website in February. (Maybe they had some sort of agreement with retailers or OEMs?) In shopping around, I've seen the System Builder edition from a local big box retailer for as little as $80.

yuhong 14y ago
Actually the Win8 Pro upgrade is for all edition of Win7.
- andrewmunsell 14y ago
  Yeah, I did the Windows 8 Pro upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium.

b3b0p 14y ago

Replying to myself here. Sorry, but it's obviously not clear. I don't know if Microsoft wants to hide this or they are assuming everyone has a copy of Windows already or what. Anyway, I just ran through this process at work. I downloaded the executable. Purchased Windows 8 for the price shown, $39.99. It took me through some steps. At the end, it gave me the option to create an ISO. I have done this and will try it later tonight when I get home to see if it lets me do a clean install of Windows 8 on VMWare.

decode 14y ago
I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. The Terms and Conditions make it clear this is only for upgrading a machine that already has Windows installed on it: "Each upgrade license applies to only one PC and you can install the upgrade only on PCs that have a valid base license and one of the following operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP (SP3)." http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/terms-conditions http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/terms-condition... During the upgrade process, you have the option of reformatting the hard drive and doing a "clean install", but it must be on the same disk that already has Windows installed on it. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/clean-install-with-windows-8-upgrade/17ff54f7-93db-4d5b-9725-92aa36e688ba http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-w...
- b3b0p 14y ago
  Yeah, I screwed up. Then my co-worker got me to mount my ISO in VMWare, run the installer in Windows 8. It asked for the key. I put it in. It activated... I think. Successfully. I used it all weekend so far, without any issues, except I can't figure out how to use it, haha.