Confused about which version of Windows 8.1 to buy for bootcamp.

[Avenger]

I will be receiving a new Mac soon and would like to install Windows 8.1 on it via bootcamp. I see in the Microsoft Online Store there is a student download edition of 8.1 for $69.99 that says it is a full edition. Will that work? Also, I still have an official unopened Windows 8.0 upgrade retail disk that I haven't used yet. Can you still use that to do a full install? I see some old posts that say you can but I was wondering if it was still valid. Thanks.

 

[Gjwilly]

The Student edition will work just fine.
Just make sure you get 64-bit.
The upgrade edition will probably work but you'll still have to jump through a few hoops after its installed because the upgrade key that you have wont work (without a little effort) on a clean install.

 

[Avenger]

The Student edition will work just fine.
Just make sure you get 64-bit.
The upgrade edition will probably work but you'll still have to jump through a few hoops after its installed because the upgrade key that you have wont work (without a little effort) on a clean install.

Thanks for the info on the student edition. I see some older posts about doing it with a 8.0 upgrade edition so I may try that first since I already own the disk.

 

[maflynn]

Isn't the student edition a windows upgrade, i.e., you already need a version of windows installed?

 

[yjchua95]

Isn't the student edition a windows upgrade, i.e., you already need a version of windows installed?

Assuming OP is a student, he/she could actually just sign up for a DreamSpark account and download Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro for free (basically Windows 8.1 Pro with all the extra stuff for installation in embedded systems).

 

[Avenger]

Isn't the student edition a windows upgrade, i.e., you already need a version of windows installed?

It says "Full Version" on the picture of the box so I think it should be good.

 

[Gjwilly]

Isn't the student edition a windows upgrade, i.e., you already need a version of windows installed?

I'm assuming it's this one.
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...udent&ef_id=VRRn2QAABVQhXQCZ:20150417124822:s

It's not an upgrade but you will need a Windows machine to download and create the ISO or USB.
After that it will install on a Mac.

 

[Gjwilly]

Assuming OP is a student, he/she could actually just sign up for a DreamSpark account and download Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro for free (basically Windows 8.1 Pro with all the extra stuff for installation in embedded systems).

He could but he'd be violating the TOS.

"Your DreamSpark Direct Subscription includes certain Windows operating system products. You may install these products only on a computer that is already licensed to run a full version of a Windows operating system on it, as evidenced by a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a Windows operating system affixed to the computer.."

 

[Avenger]

As a resolution, after I got the Windows 8.1 image, I was able to activate with the extra Windows 8 Pro update package I happened to own. If I have to do it on another computer, I'll try the student edition. Thanks for all the info.