Windows 8 - key in bios and potential issue

[ZenTree]

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/11/23/bios-embedded-windows-8-product-keys/

Interesting article I just came across, especially the potential issue he mentions from this.

 

[FoolishTech]

I don't see the problem. If you've got the key for a Pro version lying around, and the install uses for example a home key in the BIOS, then you could just use the anytime upgrade from system properties to upgrade the installation to Pro with your Pro key after the initial install...

 

[nlinecomputers]

From the article:

The installer will automatically use the BIOS key during installation giving you no option to enter the retail copy product key during installation. You do end up with an activated copy of the original version of Windows and not the one that you have purchased separately.

Has he proven that with testing or is it an assumption. The upgrade and Retail OEM version for home builders may use different media then what is shipped for a major OEM like Sony, HP, and Dell.

I made a universal copy of Windows 7 by removing a file on the disk that predetermined that it was Windows 7 Pro. Without the file the installer asks which version will be installed. I can see Microsoft using the same method for 8. Major OEMs will get a disk that has a flag that checks the BIOS first for the key. Failing that it will ask. Retail versions will not check for the key. But it could go like foolish says. You have to install the OEM version first and then use your disk as a upgrade disk. It may also be possible to remove the key from a bios using tools supplied by the oem. Doing so probably ruins any OEM copy for good on that machine.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I can also see any of the disk prompting you at a point with a

Which version of Windows do you plan to install:

Windows 8 Home as provided by Dell(HP, Lenovo, whatever):

Or
Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows 8 Pro
etc etc

If you select the as provided by Dell you don't get prompted for a key or if you do a key is prepopulated in the form. If you want to install something else you delete that and replace it with your key from the retail COA.

 

[ZenTree]

I dunno if he tested it, ghacks seems pretty reputable so maybe that's an assumption on my part. If he did test it:

What about if you want to go from pro to home? no idea why you would want to but as a technical exercise I hate the idea of being physically unable to do something on a computer.

Same with going from a 64bit system to a 32bit.

I'll be the first to admit my experience with win8 has been pretty limited but I was just interested to see if anyone had run into this issue yet.