What DVD to use with Boot Camp to install Windows 8?

Vicero · Vicero #1 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 05:21 PM

Hey,

I'm a little confused as to what CD/DVD I'm supposed to use to install Windows 8 on my MBA using Boot Camp Assistant.

From my understanding, an OEM DVD is required, not the "Microsoft Windows 8 Pro - Upgrade" CD. And when I buy the OEM, it will come with a 'product key.' Could someone confirm this is correct?

Many thanks.

pigoo3 · pigoo3 #2 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 05:31 PM

Do you have a CD/DVD drive for your MacBook Air? Since I'm assuming you know that MBA's have no built-in optical drive.

I do not believe that you need an OEM install disk (a disk that ships with a computer when new). You just need a install disk that is "stand-alone"...not an upgrade disk.

- Nick

Vicero · Vicero #3 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 05:39 PM

Thanks - I seem to have read Windows 8 is different from previous versions of Windows in that they offer only an 'Upgrade' disk from Windows 7 or the "OEM"? Amazon seems to carry only those two types as well.

Edit: Apparently you can make your own W8 installation disk. Hooray!

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 06:01 PM

Windows 8 comes in both a "full" install version and "upgrade" version just as all previous versions of Windows have ever since day one.

bobtomay · bobtomay #5 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 10:46 PM

I think the $250-300 full retail version boxes we've seen with all prior versions of Windows are no more for 8.

You will need the 'system builders' disc - not an upgrade disc.
Don't know if they've modified the EULA for these OEM discs with 8 related to being able to uninstall and move it to another computer or not.

Slydude · Slydude #6 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 10:56 PM

I beieve the Windows 8 upgrade CD can also do a full installation. I discovered this a few months ago when my brother bought a Windows 8 DVD he could not use. I read the directions somewhere. I think you had to select the full installation and enter the code from your earlier install disc as proof you had owned a legit Windows disc.

chscag · chscag #7 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 11:08 PM

Nope, Windows 8 is still being sold in a full edition: Newegg has it here LINK

Slydude · Slydude #8 (**permalink**)

07-27-2013, 11:27 PM

At one point I wondered if the DVD I had wasn't a full installation disc despite being marked as an upgrade disc. I was stuck in a weird situation where Windows XP would not install on my MacBook Pro despite multiple attempts from two different discs. He had a Windows 8 upgrade disc that his machine could not use. I swapped him an XP install disc for his Win 8 disc.

The directions I followed were similar to the ones found here

pigoo3 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 29,434 Mac Specs: 13" MB 2.4ghz, 2gig ram, OS 10.7.5	07-27-2013, 05:31 PM Do you have a CD/DVD drive for your MacBook Air? Since I'm assuming you know that MBA's have no built-in optical drive. I do not believe that you need an OEM install disk (a disk that ships with a computer when new). You just need a install disk that is "stand-alone"...not an upgrade disk. - Nick - Too many "beachballs", read this: Beachballs - Computer seems slower than it used to? Read this for some slow computer tips: Speedup - Almost full hard drive? Some solutions. Out of Space - Apple Battery Info. Battery
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 42,630 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i5, 3.2 GHz, iPad 3, iPhone 5c, 3 iPods, Yosemite	07-27-2013, 06:01 PM Windows 8 comes in both a "full" install version and "upgrade" version just as all previous versions of Windows have ever since day one. COMMUNITY RULES Writing a Quality Post
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 25,519 Mac Specs: 15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '11 1.8 i7 4GB 10.10; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.10; 5s & 5c	07-27-2013, 10:46 PM I think the $250-300 full retail version boxes we've seen with all prior versions of Windows are no more for 8. You will need the 'system builders' disc - not an upgrade disc. Don't know if they've modified the EULA for these OEM discs with 8 related to being able to uninstall and move it to another computer or not. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 7,370 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.10.2, 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 6+	07-27-2013, 10:56 PM I beieve the Windows 8 upgrade CD can also do a full installation. I discovered this a few months ago when my brother bought a Windows 8 DVD he could not use. I read the directions somewhere. I think you had to select the full installation and enter the code from your earlier install disc as proof you had owned a legit Windows disc. Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh "Got Time to breathe. You got time for music." Denver Pyle as Briscoe Darling
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 42,630 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i5, 3.2 GHz, iPad 3, iPhone 5c, 3 iPods, Yosemite	07-27-2013, 11:08 PM Nope, Windows 8 is still being sold in a full edition: Newegg has it here LINK COMMUNITY RULES Writing a Quality Post
	QUOTE Thanks

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Vicero #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 27, 2013 Posts: 2	07-27-2013, 05:21 PM Hey, I'm a little confused as to what CD/DVD I'm supposed to use to install Windows 8 on my MBA using Boot Camp Assistant. From my understanding, an OEM DVD is required, not the "Microsoft Windows 8 Pro - Upgrade" CD. And when I buy the OEM, it will come with a 'product key.' Could someone confirm this is correct? Many thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 7,370 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.10.2, 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 6+	07-27-2013, 11:27 PM At one point I wondered if the DVD I had wasn't a full installation disc despite being marked as an upgrade disc. I was stuck in a weird situation where Windows XP would not install on my MacBook Pro despite multiple attempts from two different discs. He had a Windows 8 upgrade disc that his machine could not use. I swapped him an XP install disc for his Win 8 disc. The directions I followed were similar to the ones found here Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh "Got Time to breathe. You got time for music." Denver Pyle as Briscoe Darling
	QUOTE Thanks

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