Windows 7

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rak0062

n00b
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
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Ok, so I'm building a new system and bought windows 8.1 and after thinking about it I'm not sure about getting everything tested and running in 8.1. Can I just throw in my old windows 7 disc and purchase a new key after the install? The current Key is being used on my old system that I'm keeping for now. Going to leave the package sealed and return the 8.1 anyway (mistake on my part). Got all my parts and wanting to get it running this weekend. This would be easier than downloading and creating an ISO for me, I haven't built anything for quite awhile. Don't know how smooth this will go.
 
Yes, you can use any key to install. It just won't activate.
 
Thanks Tsumi, don't know what I was thinking, trying 8.1 to build something new, I'd spend most of the time trying to find everything in the new OS.
 
rak0062 said:
Ok, so I'm building a new system and bought windows 8.1 and after thinking about it I'm not sure about getting everything tested and running in 8.1. Can I just throw in my old windows 7 disc and purchase a new key after the install? The current Key is being used on my old system that I'm keeping for now. Going to leave the package sealed and return the 8.1 anyway (mistake on my part). Got all my parts and wanting to get it running this weekend. This would be easier than downloading and creating an ISO for me, I haven't built anything for quite awhile. Don't know how smooth this will go.
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You can install Windows 7 onto the new computer, skip the step to input the key (there's a button) and rearm it 2 or 3 times after 30 days, which will delay the activation to 120 days. By then you should be done with your old license, right?
 
I personally think you would be happy with Windows 8.1. Figuring it out is generally easy and you can also customize it to the way you want. Also, it is faster than Windows 7. That said, you should be just fine with Windows 7 as well.

All you have to do is not enter a key in when it asks and you will be good for 30 days or so. Purchasing the key online, however, is probably not a good idea. From my experience, it was a retail key which are more expensive. (I would just purchase the OEM version online and enter the key in when you receive it. After all, you will have 30 days to do so.)
 
bigdogchris said:
Quiet a vague statement should be clarified. Faster booting? Sure. Faster at everything else on comparable hardware? Doubtful.
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Faster booting for sure (for me at least), and subjectively it feels more "snappy" than Windows 7 did. How's that for definitive proof? :p
 
jbltecnicspro said:
Faster booting for sure (for me at least), and subjectively it feels more "snappy" than Windows 7 did. How's that for definitive proof? :p
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Not so much definitive proof as anecdotal. I always hear this "snappy" assertion by people and I get the feeling some of them are mostly just experiencing the effect of moving from a Windows install with years worth of accumulated software installs and services, bloated registry and startup programs and processes, to a clean install of Windows 8, and then are overly impressed by what's mostly just due to the clean-install.

As for the faster boot time its a clever trick using hibernation and resume of the kernel, not because Windows 8 is suddenly so much more lightweight and compact than Windows like some assume .. If you choose the startup option of a full init then bootspeed will pretty much be same as Win7.
 
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Run 8.1. Install ClassicShell (free). Most of your problems are now solved. ;)
 
Stick with 7.
If it becomes necessary to install 8 at a later date, you have the option.
Until then, you can enjoy windows :)
 
DPI said:
Not so much definitive proof as anecdotal. I always hear this "snappy" assertion by people and I get the feeling some of them are mostly just experiencing the effect of moving from a Windows install with years worth of accumulated software installs and services, bloated registry and startup programs and processes, to a clean install of Windows 8, and then are overly impressed by what's mostly just due to the clean-install.
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Well obviously I wasn't being too serious since I threw in the smiley. You know - humor. That all-elusive "h" word around here. As for the 2nd point about being snappy - in my case, not so. I simply migrated from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 8 Pro. No clean install. It was very smooth and painless (as it should be - there's hardly a difference between the two on the inside).

As for the faster boot time its a clever trick using hibernation and resume of the kernel, not because Windows 8 is suddenly so much more lightweight and compact than Windows like some assume .. If you choose the startup option of a full init then bootspeed will pretty much be same as Win7.
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Huh - didn't know that. Good info here - thanks man! I'm still getting used to it. I think I've been on Windows 8.1 for all of five days now and I don't know the ins-and-outs of everything just yet. :D
 
Good choice. Windows 7 is a fantastic OS. It will probably go down as one of Microsoft's best.
 
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