WIN 8.1 Pro Student Version Issue

[jrank001]

Folks:

I'm in the process of purchasing WIN Pro 8.1 student version here:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/productID.288769600

This is a downloadable version from MS.

I was told that I could load this on a USB and boot up from that on a new SSD and have a clean install. The guy I talked to today at MS told me that this would not work and that I need a current version of windows on my computer for this to upgrade to.

I really didn't want to do it that way. I want a clean install. Who's right /wrong?

BTW How do I tell is this is a 64 bit version?

Thanks

 

[Automata]

If that is a clean install of Windows (it is), you can do the USB installer from an existing Windows install, which will prepare your flash drive. From there, boot the drive and do a stock install. It looks like that version includes x86 and 64bit, as far as I can tell.

I get all my licenses through MSDNAA ("Dreamspark") and I'm sure that the ISO is exactly the same as retail versions.

No idea why he said it wouldn't work.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I've installed "upgrade" copies before. They work the exact same as the full copy.

 

[jrank001]

So I should be OK to buy this?

Is there a "how to" get my USB stick set up and to tell me how do load from a USB? I've never done that before . I always had a disk.

 

[Automata]

You should be fine. The only thing I'm unsure about is the USB, but I think it will give you the option to create it once you put in the disk (within Windows).

 

[ATMINSIDE]

You use Windows USB/DVD Tool. It'll take an ISO and do magic for you.

 

[cullam3n]

There is a Windows USB tool, but lately I've been using Rufus with good success.

 

[dyckah]

windows 8, when you go to install it from the desktop, gives you an option to make a bootable USB, or ISO right in the installer itself.

 

[jrank001]

Got it done. Went great! I hope my next build goes this smooth.

 

[CgS Drone]

Confused about this, I am in the same boat.

Son qualifies for the 8.1 Student and when I was doing live chat with Microsoft they said I had to have and OS in place HOWEVER since the OS that is on his machine is XP that I couldn't install 8.1 Student, then they said I would have to call and order the 8.1 Student on disk and pay the shipping for it on disk in order to do a clean install.

I am ordering him a new SSD this week and wanted to do a clean install, So can I puchase/download the one they link using XP and make a bootable USB and use that? Assuming the download is an ISO and that I would have to use a program to setup the USB as bootable and put the ISO image on it. I has been years since I have done that.

 

[Automata]

Get the version they are giving you (burn to disk or put on flash), do a clean install. Shouldn't have any issues.

I'm fairly sure they are saying the license doesn't allow that. It certainly works though.

 

[TiZakit]

Get the version they are giving you (burn to disk or put on flash), do a clean install. Shouldn't have any issues.

I'm fairly sure they are saying the license doesn't allow that. It certainly works though.

I have done this. It works.

 

[CgS Drone]

Thanks all for the responses.