installing OEM Windows 8 on SSD without install disc

Hi
I know this topic has been discussed as nauseam but I am still missing information. I have a new Asus N56VZ laptop which comes with I believe an 'OEM' version of Windows 8. I also have a 256GB SSD drive which I need to install and also install Windows 8 on.

I've read that cloning isn't necessarily the best approach. And also to always leave 10-20% of an SSD free (unpartitioned). How do I get the OEM licensed version of Win8 onto my SSD?
I want to avoid having to buy a new license.

Any help appreciated!

 

You can use any number of utilities to find your product key that is already used for the current Windows 8 installed on the former hard drive. Write that down, and when you install Windows 8, try using that for your pending install on the SSD.

Only problem is the current SLIC 3.0 issue where the key is embedded; it may not be able to be activated, since that key is registered as in use in the BIOS. I don't have much experience with it yet, but you always refer to this guide posted by another NBR user if you run into the issue during installation on your SSD:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/698920-installing-windows-8-pro-over-standard-oem-your-new-win8-certified-notebook.html

 

eco_bach - to simplify:

1) Current Drive has WIN8 installed from the OEM.
2) You purchased a new SSD 256GB
3) You want to install WIN8 on new SSD without cloning - my preferred method.
4) You want to use original WIN8 license from OEM

Did you get a media DVD? If not download it from MS and use the USB WIN8 Boot Util from MS( search for it ) - use the key that you have on the bottom of your laptop(assumed placement).

If the BIOS is embedded it shouldn't be a problem using the same key.

Maybe I am approaching this from too simple of a matter? This worked for me a while back with WIN7 with embedded License Key.

Let us know your results.

 

My situation was a bit different from yours, but I think you'd be able to install without problems like I did. I recently got a Sager NP9150 notebook with Windows 7 Home Premium installed on it. I went on Microsoft's website the same day I recieved the notebook, and updated to Windows 8 Professional. When I registered for Windows 8 I got a Windows 8 product key, and used it to install to the hard drive on the notebook. A day or two later I recieved an ssd drive that I ordered seperately from another retailer. I installed the drive and did a clean install using that same product key on the ssd drive. It installed without any problems (and the old Windows was still left on the hdd, so I was able to copy files I had downloaded/installed on the hdd to the ssd). I'm guessing you shouldn't have any problems either. Give it a try, and if you encounter problems come back and tell us.

BTW: Don't forget to go to Microsoft's website and register for Microsoft's Media Center add-on (while its still free)!

 

Thanks. How do you find Win 8 compared to 7? Have you come across any compatibility issues, etc?

 

The first time I installed Windows 8 I decided to try the option to move over the Windows 7 programs and settings (since I was curious to see how compatable the software was under Windows 8). The upgrade advisor said it wouldn't install until I uninstalled incompatible programs/drivers first. It listed 3-4 items that came pre-installed with my Windows 7 system (one of which was Intel Wireless Pro drivers/software). As a test I tried installing a program it said was incompatable after I updated to Windows 8 (Intel WiDi Widget - the WiDi itself was compatible, but for some reason the Widget wasn't). I found I could successfully run the application by setting it to run in compatability mode (Windows XP mode), so it looks like you may be able to get many programs it says are incompatable to run successfully in the new OS. I haven't encountered any hardware incompatabilites yet.

BTW: After you get Windows 8 installed on your ssd drive make sure to disable (or set them to only run on your hdd) features like: Indexing, Defraging, System Restore, etc. You can find a list of things to disable here on the notebookreview forum as well as: Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

 

I haven't come across or heard of any major gripes with software compatibility, except perhaps some software designed for XP alone (of which would already not work well - if at all - in Windows 7). If you're concerned about a particular piece of software being compatible or stable on Windows 8, you can always refer to the developer's website to confirm whether they have designed it for Windows 8 yet (or if they intend to anytime soon).

 

I have come across one compatibility issue that doesn't seem to have an easy solution. The system came with Cyberlink Media Suite 8 which includes PowerDVD 10, and Power2Go 7. Cyberlink's PowerDVD 10 worked in Windows 7 to play blu-ray discs, but it will not play them successfully in Windows 8. On Cyberlink's site (linked below) it says: "If you are an existing CyberLink software user, you may be eligible for a free update to ensure your software is fully compatible with Windows 8", but after you run the compatibility scanner it takes you to update links that wants you to pay $39.95 to upgrade to the compatible Cyberlink 12, and $31.95 to update to Power2go 8. I've got a support ticket in with Cyberlink Customer Support to see what they have to say. If they resolve this compatibility issue I'll make an update here to note it.

CyberLink Windows 8 Updates Center

 

I'm in the same boat as the other poster and getting a little confused. I've searched around quite a bit and I can't find an .iso file for Windows 8. I've seen the Windows 8 RTM, but other than this the sites I've perused are assuming you have a disc or actually want you to click on a link to install a version of Windows 8. This is a little hard to do with a bare SSD drive that you just installed.

What is everyone else doing to load a fresh copy of Windows 8 on a bare drive with no disc? I'm lost.

I just purchased a new HP Envy, love the laptop...but it didn't come with a product key sticker...I did extract the product key using a third party software, but I'm at a loss as to how to actually put the OS on the new drive. I'd prefer not to clone the drive.

Any help appreciated...

Liquid Cool

 

AFAIK you have to purchase it , But only $39 for the download.
After downloading you will be given the option to choose an ISO image. Pretty sure you will then need to add an ei.cfg file to the image.
And I had to edit my registry after install in order to activate.

 

Cloning really is not ideal, even though it's feasible. There are more issues that can arise from cloning your hard drive and copying the image to the SSD than a simple fresh install.

I don't THINK you can get an ISO from Microsoft for free; this has never really been the case for past versions of Windows. Maybe if you contact them directly and provide a serial key, then they may send you a download via email. But I can't guarantee that.

 

I really don't like this Windows 8 enough to pay for it again...actually don't care for it at all. Useless was my first descriptor, but I 'was' currently in the middle of giving it a chance...

I'll just load an extra copy of Windows 7 until these problems are worked out. I'm surprised there isn't an uproar about this...am I the only one that is buying a new SSD for my Windows 8 laptop?

I agree...no cloning if I can help it. I've done it in the past and something always goes wrong.

Best,

Liquid Cool

 

This worked for me too, albeit a little differently. I have a Lenovo G585 that shipped with Windows 8, and I'm trying to replace the hard drive with a hybrid and hopefully do a clean install. I made a backup with the included Lenovo software, as well I created recovery media through Windows, but I can't seem to get it to boot and install from those. I also purchased Windows 8 Pro and have it on a USB key, but that install tells me that I have the wrong key, and to enter a new one, but it never prompts for a key-just reboot loop (this lappy has UEFI).

So, I burned the ISO of Windows 8 Pro I had previously used to make the USB key (glad I kept the image), modified the USB as per your instructions, and booted. After clicking "Install Now", it DID NOT ask me which version of the OS to choose, but instead asked me to accept a license, then asked if I wanted an "Upgrade" or "Custom". Can't upgrade, dude: the new drive is empty! I selected Custom, then deleted the existing partitions and selected the entire drive for installation, and it immediately went to "Installing Windows". I quickly ejected the DVD, but it seemed to be already installing from the USB, and it continued the install without incident.

After install, it did prompt me for a key, and I selected "Skip". This is probably related to the fact that I have already installed Windows 8 Pro on another PC. Is there a way to make the PRO image/install media a Non-PRO by changing a file or something?