It has been said that Windows 8.1 Pro System Builder editions would be available from a limited number of partners, e.g., Amazon.com.

Well, I see it there now...

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-8-1-System-Builder-64-Bit/dp/B00F3ZN0CC/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Does this look legit?  It says "Ships from and is sold by Amazon.com".  Thanks for any insights you may have.

   

Sigh.  It's so often like this - I answer thousands of questions, but when I ask one...  Crickets chirping.

But the lack of responses is interesting nonetheless...  Perhaps no one is willing to comment on whether Amazon should have System Builder Windows 8.1 Pro packages, and maybe no one cares because few are considering buying Windows 8.1 anyway.  Perhaps all those who are willing bought into Windows 8 and are now getting free upgrades.

I wonder whether most system builders are putting their systems together with Windows 7 still.

  

Oh, and I'd like to know two things:

1.  How is my post abusive?

2.  Kelvin Hsu, exactly what part of "Does this look legit?" does not merit the post being considered a question?

    

Why would you consider the OEM-SB for $139.99 when Amazon is also offering Pro Full version for $124.99 ?  Hmm.  I can guess only one thing.  Maybe the OEM Pro version has downgrade rights?

Thanks for your response, Max/Roy.  No problem, and I have no objections.

I'm just researching things.  I've bought a lot of stuff from Amazon.com, but never software.  There are some things - e.g., Photoshop - that you should never buy from anyone other than the manufacturer directly.  I don't know whether or how much that applies to Windows products.

I note, for example, that the Windows 8.1 Pro - Full Version package you linked-to says something different than the link I posted.  Specifically "Sold by OpenBoxDeals and Fulfilled by Amazon" vs. "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com".

 

By the way, I'm not completely clear on the differences between Windows 8.1 Pro "Full Version" and "System Builder / OEM".  There's been confusion, for example, over whether there's an ability to "build a system for yourself" or if it's strictly a license for resale.

If a person were, for example, assembling a few PCs for sale for a particular purpose, would it be any advantage to ship them with a copy of "Full Version" vs. "System Builder"?

  

I don't know either.

I hardly care to look anymore.  It's gone beyond ridiculous.

But I just did a little research to see what's up with it, knowing full well it'd be a true Microsoft experience.

Here's what I found.  At the official licensing eula repository, they are treating Retail Windows 8 and 8.1 as the one and same thing.  (Which comes as no real surprise, as Setup and Winver both still show Windows 8.1 as Windows 8).  But the Windows 8.1 OEM eula is separately listed from OEM 8.  I didn't compare them to see if or how they differ.

Note carefully I said "eula" in the last link above.  "End User".  The license which we'd get upon purchasing an OEM system.  The builder's agreement which authorizes supplying that OEM system is a separate form (from the eula) which accompanies it.  An example of the builders' license is here (pdf).  Its very first words screen casual users of that OEM-SB software, directing them to the Personal Use License here.

That's the guidance from the official OEM System Builder site, which does not distinguish Windows 8 from Windows 8.1.  Yet, as you have already indicated, somewhere there is info which has given every authority in the entire www cause to state that the PUL is not applicable to Windows 8.1.  Was that announced in a blog?  I think maybe that's where that came from.

You'll recall, for Windows 8, there were only two license options, upgrade and PUL (full).  That's now changed with Retail Windows 8.1 (I think) so there is no upgrade, but instead there is only a Full Retail license offered.  Maybe that's how the www wisdom about the PUL being retracted was inferred.

Have you ever told something, you know, not quite ahem consistent.  And then, you find yourself having to continuously adjust it to make it fit the occasion.

Well anyway.  Neither Amazon nor Newegg ever got the OEM-SB / PUL terms right on their disclaimers, not for the whole year they were peddling it for Windows 8.  Now those terms are supposedly changed for Windows 8.1.   ...or maybe not, if you rely on the official OEM System Builder site.

Thanks for your insights.  To be honest I felt a little embarrassed to admit that I'm not quite sure how it all works.  You've made me feel a little better to know I'm not alone.  LOL, I understand completely your "not quite consistent" comment.  Been there myself.

And thanks for that last tip.  Minimal cost would be nice, but I want to make sure I can do the following two things, and am willing to spend a few $$ more to be sure I can...

1.  Accomplish a clean install, not an upgrade (in the technical sense).  I'm assuming that can be orchestrated with the proper incantations, but "easy and direct" will be nicer.

2.  Another aspect, and why I'm interested in physical DVDs, is that I'd like to have the option to boot from optical media in a pinch (e.g., in a bare metal backup restoral situation).  I'm not sure these workstations will be able to boot from a USB key, and I haven't yet discovered if Windows 8.1 can make a recovery disc by some trick.

 

Downgrade Rights is a right of the end-user and has no bearing on the software itself.

As far as the OEM System Builder Kit being on Amazon, I'm not sure how they are even allowed to sell it without a qualifying hardware purchase. Typically, these kits are only available to an OEM, System Builder or (possibly) a Refurbisher from a distribution house and not eligible for purchase by an end-user. Perhaps Amazon has some deal with MS to sell them on their own, but I've never heard any official response to that question.

Hi,

Considering this issue related to copyright, I suggest you contact Microsoft directly to report your issue.

Reporting Piracy FAQ

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/piracy/reporting/faq.aspx

Thanks for your understanding.

Regards,

You can learn about Microsoft System Builder Licensing by visiting the official OEM Partner Center and reading the license terms. 

I suggest you contact Microsoft directly to report your issue.

To whom are you responding, kevin_hsu?  You do know about the message quoting facility, right?

What issue are you referring-to?  I'm not here to report a copyright or piracy issue.  I just asked a simple question about the legitimacy of software seen for sale online by a reputable seller, which - so far - no one has addressed directly. 

Don't look now, but good freaking luck "contacting Microsoft directly".

And Carey, thanks for the link but don't you think it's more than a bit redundant, as Max Shillby has posted all the Microsoft links anyone could need nearly a week ago?

Kevin, you seem to want feedback about this web forum...  Here's some:  This site is growing close to useless for a professional computer engineer.  There's are virtually NO experts with which to discuss things above the level of "UG NO LIKE START BUTTON", and there's not even anecdotal info.  Reasonable questions by legitimate users are more often met with responses from folks who don't appear to be on the same wavelength as the rest of humanity.  Call me a dinosaur; perhaps I should find some new places to interact with others of my species.

 

Oh, I don't know Noel.  I thought Kevin's remark was pretty good chatter.  Considering how consistently OEM-SB has been made available.

btw.  Did you read the OEM EULA (pdf)?  It states we are entitled to receive both 32-bit and 64-bit Win8 copies with our store-bought computers.  (The PUL says the same thing about the OEM-SB).  See "Additional Terms 1.B Multiple Versions".  Be sure to demand your copies.  Both of them.