Windows 8.1 issues...
Windows 8.1 issues...
I received Windows 8 Pro (OEM) last summer. The main advantage was the new OEM license options that let users move Win 8 to different hardware or PCs as long as the device is theirs. I don’t have all the specifics memorized. I haven’t applied the free 8.1 update yet because I didn’t want to reinstall on this machine again. Recently, I read that Windows 8.1 OEM license differs from Win 8 in terms of using the OS on other devices. I’m not sure about all the details myself yet. I’m trying to find more reliable sources to confirm this information. If anyone has insights or links, please share them. Also, I had planned to use Win 8 Pro, but I learned Microsoft might stop supporting it around Q1 2016, possibly due to higher sales of Windows 8.1. There’s also the free update and some other theories—feel free to comment or add a link.
It really doesn't matter in the long run. Even though your Windows 8 key won't work on a brand new Windows 8.1 setup, you can always install Windows 8 and later upgrade it to 8.1 at no cost. If your original Windows 8 allows transferring to different hardware (which it never did for any other version), you can simply activate Windows 8, remove the old installation from the old machine, and then upgrade to 8.1 if desired. Windows 8 will eventually stop receiving support before 8.1 does, but think of it similarly to how Windows Service Packs work—Windows 7 is no longer supported, yet Windows 7 SP1 remains active.
I checked a few articles but haven’t figured out if I’m getting Windows 8.1 Pro or just 8.1 with the free update. Why do I need an 8.1? The only other major OS I remember is Windows 3.0 and 3.1, which require a completely different system for updates. But the changes from 3.0 to 3.1 were more substantial than those between 8 and 8.1.
You retain Pro features even after upgrading to Windows 8.1, which can be accessed through the app store and Windows Update.