Where do I find the non-upgrade/ system builder edition of windows 8?

Hi Britsie_1,

Welcome to Microsoft Community!!!

Based on your post I understand that you are trying to install Windows 8 system builder edition.

Note: Please take a backup of all important data before you install.

I would suggest you to refer the steps from the following Microsoft article and check if it helps.

Download and install Win 8-http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/buy-windows-8-online-faq

Reference:

Install, upgrade, & activate: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/install-upgrade-activate-help#install-upgrade-activate-help=windows-8&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1

Thank you for posting the Question in Microsoft Community, if you need further assistance to fix the issue and we will be happy to help you further.

Hi Vijin V,

Thanks for the reply, however I am not trying to install windows 8 system builder edition, I am still trying to locate where to download it or purchase a phisical copy of it. The links you provided all lead to the upgrade version which is not what I am looking for.

Microsoft has a online store like any other vendor

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbpage.Windows_8_Pro

I am a computer hobbiest and format my harddrive a few times throughout the year so I can't use windows 8 upgrade as there is no OS to upgrade from... I'v heard there is a system builder edititon available but I can't seem to find it anywhere on the Microsoft site. In addition I heard that there is a limited number of activations for the system builder edition which would also make it kind of useless for me to buy.

Actually the Windows 8 System Builder OEM license is more flexible and can be transferred to other systems or motherboard.

http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx,

"Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer."

You can purchase a license for it from amazon or newegg

Microsoft has a online store like any other vendor

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbpage.Windows_8_Pro

 

 

I saw yesterday a colleague of mine installed the version found in the link above and apparently he managed to install it on a clean hard drive. Perhaps we misunderstand what the system builder version is for?

I am a computer hobbiest and format my harddrive a few times throughout the year so I can't use windows 8 upgrade as there is no OS to upgrade from... I'v heard there is a system builder edititon available but I can't seem to find it anywhere on the Microsoft site. In addition I heard that there is a limited number of activations for the system builder edition which would also make it kind of useless for me to buy.

Actually the Windows 8 System Builder OEM license is more flexible and can be transferred to other systems or motherboard.

http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx,

"Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer."

 

You can purchase a license for it from amazon or newegg

. If you need a full version, you will need to purchase the Windows 8 Pro OEM from New Egg. This requires a custom clean install.

Windows 8 Pro
64 Bit (OEM)

Windows 8 Pro
32 Bit (OEM)

Windows 8
64 Bit (OEM)

Windows 8
32 Bit (OEM)

 

Hello Andre,

outside the US (and maybe AU), no store, whether online or not, sells "Windows 8  System Builder". The only available thing is Upgrade or OEM. Can we assume that outside US the OEM = System Builder? so we can buy and use it with all the PUL rules, including transferring? Or will we get troubles in activating once transferred, because it is "not a System Builder version, but an OEM one"?

thanks

I saw yesterday a colleague of mine installed the version found in the link above and apparently he managed to install it on a clean hard drive. Perhaps we misunderstand what the system builder version is for?

Hi Vijin V,

 

Thanks for the reply, however I am not trying to install windows 8 system builder edition, I am still trying to locate where to download it or purchase a phisical copy of it. The links you provided all lead to the upgrade version which is not what I am looking for.

Hello,

You can always contact the Presales and Licensing Line, Pre Sales & Licensing - MSI Consumer * 800-426-9400 M-F 6 AM-6 PM PST...

Tell the Presales Agent that you need to get the Windows 8- System Builder Pack.

It's available in there however, it's just a PHYSICAL Order.

It has the same price online.

Windows 8 System Builder- $119.99

Windows 8 Pro System Builder- $199.99

Hi,

The System Builder and OEM are one and the same....

In the US stores it is actually called "OEM System Builder", and is a full installation....

It just doesn't come with any support from Microsoft....

Any support would come from the manufacturer that installed it for instance....

I've seen it packaged two ways... In a white rectangular sleeve\envelope... which I have...

And a kind of Purple cardboard CD\DVD sleeve...

Sorry I can't be of more help as to where you can buy one outside the US...

Anything that is in a dark gray multi-color box is an Upgrade version...