Use Win 8 pro image to install win 8?

Anyone done this on a Series 7 770? I have a pro image from a prior upgrade. Don't really need pro features on the Samsung, and don't want to waste my pro id # when the Samsung already has one. My guess is that it will work (just won't get pro features), but curious if anyone has done it.

Thanks!

 

I am hoping someone will give you a more definitive answer, as I have not tried installing Win8 Pro using a Win8 Product ID. But I can tell you that it does NOT work with Win7 -- e.g. using an Ultimate image with a Home Premium ID. You get an invalid Product ID error. And I would guess the same will be true for Win8.

In the case of Win7, you can use tools like rt7lite to customize the installation, thus turning that Ultimate image into any version you want (or even bring up a menu asking at the time of installation). I read about what sounds like a similar tool for Win8 called WinReducer 8 (that was a link). You may want to check into that.

But let's see if others have more qualified input. Thors.Hammer may know this.

 

Could you clarify a couple of questions:

1. Did the Series 7 770 come with Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro?
2. Why type of media for Windows 8 do you have? The Windows 8 Pro DVD or other?
3. Was your purchase of Windows 8 Pro directly from Microsoft via an online promotion?
4. Did you receive your Windows 8 Pro key via email or is this the full packaged product?

If the 770 came with Windows 8, the key associated with the machine is embedded in the motherboard. If it came with Windows 8 Pro, and you are using Windows 8 Pro media, the embedded key will always be used. You will not be prompted for a new key.

 

Thanks for chiming in, Thor.

According to Samsung.com the NP770Z7E comes with Win8. That matches what the baron said in his OP.

 

It didn't work for me on an S9 X3D. I tried with the pro iso I downloaded with my w8 upgrade offer. Basically it read the key in the X3D-A01 bios which is for regular W8, wouldn't let me proceed to even entering a key. Samsung refused to send a disc, so I guess the only legal way to obtain it is through tech net. Lame. If you want to get rid of bloat you can use the W8 reset feature, if you're attempting to migrate to a different drive, I think you'll need 3rd party software or the regular W8 disc.

 

Thanks for the feedback, all. After pondering a few days, I think I am going to just take the easy path and use the Samsung image. But sounds like it would not work anyway, per go45.

The Pro image I have is dowloaded from MSFT. I did a couple of the $40 upgrades last year. The email they send gives you a link to download the image. And it permits making a bootable version.

 

I believe all you need to do is install Windows 8 using the correct media, then use the Control Panel | Add Features to Windows 8 applet to plug in the Windows 8 Pro key to have the Pro features enabled. Simple upgrade.

As for the online purchase from Microsoft, I would recommend finishing the download process. I think there is a deadline on that and it may have passed already.

 

Right that's the image I tried it with. No dice. But the reset feature is nice, it will return to a very early image of windows where the only samsung software installed is software update.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/683577-samsung-series-9-windows-8-a-35.html#post9030362