Confusing as ever, Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 in a variety of packages, and resellers are not all making really clear what they are selling. Since MS has realized that the majority of Windows OS distributed are pre-installed in new PC's, the product being offered at retail in the box(es) labeled Windows 8 Pro is an upgrade version that requires an existing copy of XP Vista or 7. As far as I can tell there is no "retail" version of the base Windows 8 Upgrade being released.

The base and pro versions are being released as OEM=Full versions in either 64 or 32 bit, but not both (as was the case with Windows 7). The good news is that the licensing for the OEM version has changed, and now has a "personal use" clause that permits you to move it from one machine you own to another. This is the same kind of capability that the retail Full Version used to have, since that version was never transferable to another owner. Newegg still has the warning that it can only be used for assembly for sale however. These will probably be the versions most home builders will want for their own machines, unless they plan to trash an old license and save some money on a upgrade. Upgrades btw may well not be movable to a new machine once installed.  

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-radically-overhauls-license-agreements-for-windows-8-7000002866/


For those who bought a machine with the base version installed, the Windows 8 Pro Pack released in retail will upgrade that version to pro, but does not have any function by itself.

Since many online sellers are not making the distinction, some people will undoubtedly buy upgrades thinking they are full versions.

This is what I have found for part numbers--might be wrong so someone with an in at MS should correct them if so.


"Windows 8 Pro"  Upgrade Retail 3UR-00001
"Windows 8 Pro Pack" Retail only works to upgrade a preinstalled base version to Pro 5VR-00001
base version OEM/Full 32 bit WN7-00368
base version OEM/Full 64 bit WN7-00404
pro version  OEM/Full 32 bit FQC-05920
pro version  OEM/Full 64 bit FQC-05956

And of course sane users, and those who want their computers to work for now will simply avoid the upgrade or buy Win 7 while it is still available.

Windows 8 is suppose to only come out on Oct. 26, 2012. the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) probably have a version suited for their own purposes to start putting on their computers they sell.

I don't plan on upgrading my DAW system.  However, I plan on getting the Win 8 Pro $39 version for my "other use" PC as I do part-time PC support and I know at least one client for sure that will be upgrading to Win 8.  If possible with the $39 upgrade version, I'll install it as a dual boot.

Some more details on Windows 8 licensing:

http://www.zdnet.com/how-the-new-windows-8-license-terms-affect-you-7000003028/


Suggests that MS may be selling the personal use for system builders license directly, in which case the OEM part numbers in the first post may not have that license.

And it is pretty clear that the license for the windows 8 upgrade would not cover using it in a dual boot without at least 2 licenses.

The Personal Use License (PUL) that will allow people who build their own machines to legally install OEM versions of Windows 8 is now public:

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx#fbid=RZVorzwvspJ


A link on that page points you to a page where you can read and agree to the PUL if you buy and OEM version.

Microsoft have been pretty straightforward for me so I didn't feel bad spending a few extra dollars to get the OEM(full version).
I still don't really trust a download so having a physical disc is nice.

An authoritative review of how the cheap Windows 8 download can be applied creatively to various computers in various scenarios can be found here:

http://www.zdnet.com/the-ultimate-windows-8-upgrade-faq-7000006815/?s_cid=e539