Question 1

is this a new version with a key or is it a update from 8 or 7?

Accepted Answer

Russ, its a new full version with a key. I did a disk format and installed it clean. no previous version was needed. As long as your pc ran fine with win 7 or win 8 it'll work fine. I however did not like the changes from 8 to 8.1, there are many differences, and you cannot downgrade to 8 from 8.1, but I use my pc as a tool for work, 8 and 8.1 compared to 7 makes navigation a pain and is more of a multimedia pc now than a business pc....just a personal impression but it seems quite stable. I added the classicshell app after all updates and drivers were installed and now it looks and feels more like 7, which made it tolerable for me.

Question 2

is this a FULL version?  I have NO current Windows products running on my machine right now?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is both bit versions, but the downloader program will only download according to the bits you already have on your computer. I purchased this product for a new build, I wanted the 64 bit version. My old computer at home would only download the 32 bit version. I finally had to use my work laptop to download a 64 bit version.

Question 3

Do i need windows 7 to install this ?

Accepted Answer

You will need a working computer to download the file, and you will need a Windows computer to run the file that's downloaded to prepare a USB stick for installation, but you can install it to a computer that does not have an operating system. I downloaded it to my laptop, and prepared a USB drive on my laptop, but installed it on a new computer.

Question 4

Does this download come as an ISO? IE, can i download it with the computer i'm on right now, put it to usb, and take it to my brand new, totally blank PC i just built?

Accepted Answer

Yes! It's actually designed really well.

Newegg will provide you with an EXE that is essentially Microsoft's Windows 8.1 downloader, called WindowsSetupBox. The downloader itself is only 5MB.

When you start the downloader, you will be prompted to enter your Windows 8.1 product key (sent in an email from Newegg), and it will validate online. Once it does, it will begin downloading Windows.

After that process, you will be given a few options: 1) Upgrade, 2) Create a USB drive, or 3) Create an ISO.

After that, it's up to you. Honestly, the experience far exceeded my expectations. I created a bootable USB drive off of an SD card and also created a backup ISO just in case. Hopefully that answers your question.

Question 5

Do I need a previous version of windows to install?

Accepted Answer

No. This is full install.

Question 6

Is this considered a retail version? As in I can use the key to install on more than one system (as long as only one is active at a time)?

Accepted Answer

Yes this is considered the retail version. I wish that it works the way you are trying to use it, the retail has support with Microsoft and OEM has no support with Microsoft. No you can not use the key in more than one system, the key will pare with that exact motherboard and send the info to Microsoft and then there "married for life". What your actually paying for the most is the key. You can use the installer on more than one system but you will need a different key for each system.

Question 7

Does this include product key, and could i use a flashdrive?

Accepted Answer

It's been quite some time, but this is what I can tell you from memory and from the files I have archived. 1.) When you purchase it from newegg.com you will receive an email with an acknowledgement of the purchase and the license number as well as a link to the download. 2.) The link, however, will download a web based downloader for the operating system. Once you download this small piece of software (About 6.1 MB) you double click on it and the windows download interface will appear. In this interface you can chose what type of download you want or need. Be aware that if this is a 32 and 64 version of windows, the downloader will download the installer for the version of windows you are currently running on the PC you use for downloading; i.e. if you are using a 64-bit operating system to download the installer, the downloader will download the 64-bit version. To download the 32-bit version you may need to do it with a 32-bit operating system or PC. 3.) If you chose to download the .iso (DVD) image of Windows, then you can mount it on a virtual drive or, literally, mount it on a physical DVD (Record the image on a DVD as a DVD). 4.) You can search the internet for the procedure to copy the DVD or mount the image in a flash drive so the flash drive become the installer. Search google for this:copy windows 8.1 DVD image to flash drive bootable installer

Question 8

is this a bootable version my had crashed ans computer is out of warranty and did not have back up so have to have bootable version?

Accepted Answer

Most computers have a restore partition where the factory image is stored. Google your brand and model of computer to find out how to access it's restore function from boot. Most have you hold down one of the function keys or the zero, sometimes a combination of keys. You may not need to buy Windows at all if this is the case with your computer.

This is the full version of Windows 8.1 in the downloadable format. You have to download it and create your own bootable media, either on a DVD or a USB drive. The process can be somewhat daunting to an inexperienced user, but instructions are provided as you proceed through the process and all should go well if you pay close attention as you read about and perform the required actions.

Good Luck!

Question 9

when I download will it tell me how to install the software fresh? can I download it with one machine and install it on a different one?

Accepted Answer

You'll have the option to create a USB drive or DVD to use to install Windows 8.1 on a different computer, or you can install it on the computer that you've downloaded it to.  I did this just under two weeks ago and it worked well.  Downloaded it to my main computer since I was waiting on the hard drive to arrive for the system that I'm building for my son's birthday.  It was my only option since no one locally sells the actual DVD's in stores.

Question 10

Is this 32 or 64 bit?

Accepted Answer

Both. It installs whatever you have on your system.

If you have 32 bit Win 7 it installs 32 bit Win 8.1
If you have 64 bit Win 7 in installs 64 bit Win 8.1

If no OS then it should detect your CPU and install whatever is applicaable.

Questions & Answers