OEM Win 8 versions

50Twuncle

Is there more than one version of OEM Win 8 64bit ?

The reason for this question is that I am trying to "downgrade" back to a proper OS (Win 7) and am trying to find out which version I am entitled to.....
My new laptop came with Win 8 pre-installed - which I have just upgraded to Win 8.1 in the hope of improvement - but no - the panels on the home page do nothing for me......

I have installed the Classic Shell - which helps a little - but I keep on getting the home page - I have also installed a utility to save me from having to log on to my Hotmail account - in order to use the laptop - all in all - I am totally unimpressed with Win 8

NiftyDigits

You are not entitled to any version. You can only downgrade from Windows 8 Pro. There may be a way around it, but I'm busy right now. Will take a look next week.

50Twuncle

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/zh-hans/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=xDM9r4qZrLd


The downgrade process

Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows or Windows Server software:

1. Obtain genuine Windows media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows that is eligible for downgrade. (ie from Digital River)
   • The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels.
   • End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.
2. Insert the downgrade-eligible version of Windows media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions.
3. Type the product key.
   • If the software was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances. When it is determined that the end user has an eligible Windows licence, the customer service representative will provide a single-use activation code to activate the software. Please note that Microsoft does not provide a full product key in this scenario.
4. Activate the software.

NiftyDigits

50Twuncle wrote: »

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/zh-hans/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=xDM9r4qZrLd


The downgrade process

Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows or Windows Server software:

1. Obtain genuine Windows media and a corresponding product key for the version of Windows that is eligible for downgrade. (ie from Digital River)
   • The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels.
   • End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.
2. Insert the downgrade-eligible version of Windows media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions.
3. Type the product key.
   • If the software was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances. When it is determined that the end user has an eligible Windows licence, the customer service representative will provide a single-use activation code to activate the software. Please note that Microsoft does not provide a full product key in this scenario.
4. Activate the software.

Is that for me or for you?

The version of Windows that is eligible for the downgrade is...Windows 8 Pro....with it's corresponding Product Key.

You link to the article, yet ignore it's contents.

Downgrade rights offer a practical solution. The customer can:
Purchase a PC with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled.
Downgrade—at no additional cost—to Windows 7 Professional.
Move to Windows 8 Pro at the appropriate time. The system is licensed and ready for conversion.

There was a good reason why I recommended a specific machine to you...

50Twuncle

It says "OEM versions of Windows 8 eligible for downgrade

Windows 8 Pro includes downgrade rights to:

• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows Vista Business"

Which to me sounds as if I have Windows 8 pro OEM - I can downgrade to Windows 7 Pro ?


Hence my previous question : Is there more than one version of OEM Win 8 64bit ?
ie) How can I tell which version of OEM Win 8 64bit, I have installed ?

bluesnake

I always run this from an admin dos box, but probably not necessary

windows key + x
command prompt - admin
type if your pc is x64 or x32 msinfo32

very first line on mine says "OS name Microsoft Windows 8"
**********************
or
windows key + x
command prompt - admin

type winver and you will get a paragraph saying "the windows 8 ???"
**********************
Belarc once gave this info plus the keys as well, and probably still does

WTFH

There are 4 editions of Windows 8:
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows RT

If you bought a computer from a chain store/online, then there's a 99% likelihood it has Windows 8 on it.
Not Windows 8 Pro.

To check...

1. If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.
2. Tap or click PC and devices, then tap or click PC info.

You'll then see a screen like this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pc-info-windows-8.1.png

50Twuncle

WTFH wrote: »

There are 4 editions of Windows 8:
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows RT

If you bought a computer from a chain store/online, then there's a 99% likelihood it has Windows 8 on it.
Not Windows 8 Pro.

To check...

1. If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.
2. Tap or click PC and devices, then tap or click PC info.

You'll then see a screen like this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pc-info-windows-8.1.png

Thanks but Your link is inaccessible and when I check - it just says Win 8.1 !!
What about OEM editions - do they not differentiate any more ?

WTFH

My link is just to a screen shot of what will be displayed.

If it just says Win 8.1 then it is NOT Win 8.1 Pro.
This is what it would look like if it was Win 8.1 Pro.

50Twuncle

bluesnake wrote: »

I always run this from an admin dos box, but probably not necessary

windows key + x
command prompt - admin
type if your pc is x64 or x32 msinfo32

very first line on mine says "OS name Microsoft Windows 8"
**********************
or
windows key + x
command prompt - admin

type winver and you will get a paragraph saying "the windows 8 ???"
**********************
Belarc once gave this info plus the keys as well, and probably still does

Thanks - it says "Version 6.3 (build 9600)"

50Twuncle

WTFH wrote: »

My link is just to a screen shot of what will be displayed.

If it just says Win 8.1 then it is NOT Win 8.1 Pro.
This is what it would look like if it was Win 8.1 Pro.

When I try your link - I get
"403 Forbidden Access to this resource on the server is denied!"
but I agree - my options are now changed - I will have to obtain a product key from another source !