“If you purchase a new PC with Windows 8 preinstalled and you later upgrade that PC with Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, a volume license edition, or a retail edition, you will no longer be able to install apps that are provided exclusively from your PC manufacturer through the Windows Store.”

That seems like a disincentive for hardware manufacturers to include software via the Windows Store (e.g. DVD player software, disc copying software, backup software etc).

The only thing stopping me upgrading is the couple of hundred games I have, most of which I haven’t started playing (damn you Steam, Greenmangaming, Gamersgate, GOG, Amazon, Indieputyournamehere). But so far the only bad news is about The Witcher. I’m worried about Planescape: Torment’s ability to run under Windows 8, though.

I don’t like change either, but as some posters have already pointed out, this happened with Win95. Windows 8 is no different. It doesn’t matter WHAT Microsoft do, there will ALWAYS be massive resistance to large changes in their OS…..because it’s Windows and used on 800 MILLION computers.

I used 8 for a few weeks on my desktop. I don’t like it on the desktop for media centre use, which is what I use my desktop for primarily. But I AM looking forward to it on my new Laptop.

I don’t see what’s so confusing about it? Sure, there’s no Start button now, but all the same functionality is there, you just have to learn where it is. Only took me 3 or 4 days.

That said most stores would always sell you OEM if you bought eityher RAM, Motherboard or a GFX card on the rational that would be an upgrade.

Quite liking Win8 so far, try out [Windows Key + X] for an awesome quick menu, and [Windows Key + D] to jump back to the desktop from anywhere.

Since this story broke, a number of readers have directed us to this Arstechnica story, which details the fact that Microsoft has changed its licensing terms around its OEM version of Windows for Windows 8, to make it quite legal for people to buy and use that version as a stand-alone full copy of Windows 8, including for purposes such as in virtual machines and for new custom-built machines without a bundled operating system. It appears as if this OEM version of Windows 8 is available from some online retailers in Australia such as Scorptec, but that it may not be available as a boxed version in all stores.

I am very much reminded of those days whenever I read a comment thread about Windows 8; it’s the same pattern all over again. Give it about a year and everyone (apart from a few stubborn hold-outs) will be quite happily using Live Tiles all day long.

Maybe we need to update the article with this information? (If someone can 100% confirm it)

All the press thus far says it is perfectly legal to be a consumer system builder.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/08/windows-8s-new-licenses-simpler-saner-better/

Microsoft is not expected to sell a non-upgrade, fully licensed version of Windows 8 either in a box via brick-and-mortar and/or online retailers. With Windows, full product tends to be quite expensive — and not very popular, as most users get their Windows either preloaded on new PCs, via volume-licensing deals, or as an upgrade to an existing version of Windows. Very few users want or need a complete, new copy of Windows for a machine on which Windows has not been previously installed.

That same article also has some good info on the System Builder (OEM) license rights…

And from: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57471786-292/windows-8-the-end-of-the-full-retail-version/

“The majority of consumers buying the retail license are looking to upgrade. For Windows 8, Microsoft will therefore only offer an upgrade version of Windows 8 through the retail channel. This is the license an end user would purchase who wants to upgrade their current PC from a prior version of Windows to Windows 8.”

Anywho, thanks for the read :)

In my experience with W8 on a VM where I only had 128 MB for video, IE10 was great and actually worked really well. Its looks just like IE9 but the experience is vastly improved. Because I only had 128MB for video, W8 wasn’t smooth (not so much lag, just not smooth) but IE10 was the one thing that worked perfectly despite all the other issues. My friend dedicated 256MB for video and had no problems at all with any of the OS.

Alternatively I suspect that the RC’s are still available for useage.

That said, from the sounds of it you already have a Windows license in which case the upgrade version should work for you. Even if you didn’t have a previous license you can always buy one [sub optimal] or try the double reinstall trick [semi legal].

Geeks know how to use OEM [which we've been doing for years, I think you overplay the legal issues unless something's changed recently] or you, if it’s like the past, in practise you can use win8 upgrade regardless of your existing install.

For the general public they’ll get a new machine with Win8 [which, I've heard, goes as low as $300 for a cheapo tablet] or they’ll buy an upgrade.

Sure, it might be nice to have the full version available for purchase – but exactly how many people are going to actually need it anytime soon? Seems to be a very small niche that have a preexisting computer but not a windows license AND want to buy Win8.