Windows 8 Licensing on new PCs - can I wipe the HDD?

I read that new Windows 8 PCs don't have the COD with the serial on the bottom, and I wonder if this is gonna causing problems on reinstallation.

Usually when I have a new PC, this is what I do:

Wipe the HDD to get rid of crazy partition layouts and crapware (on Win8 looks that's going crazier than ever!)
Reinstall Windows

But, it looks like the OS installation on the HDD is tied to the machine with a code on the BIOS - that means if I wipe, I cant install it anymore legitemately - is that true?

Magnetic_dud

Posted 2012-11-27T09:59:03.483

Reputation: 3 210

Computers that come with Windows 8 have recovery sectors just like computers that come with Windows 7 do. You have an option when using the recovery sector NOT to install the additioanl software. – Ramhound – 2012-11-27T11:06:25.100

1that might be true for one or two OEMs, but certainly not all of them. Some PCs dont even come with a recovery partition. – Taylor Gibb – 2012-11-27T12:27:00.283

@TaylorGibb - ALL OEMS are required to either give you the option to create a recovery disk or have the recovery parition on the hdd. This requirement is set by Microsoft. – Ramhound – 2012-11-27T12:58:25.193

I wonder if the recovery partition has the crapware preinstalled or not – Magnetic_dud – 2012-11-27T13:50:04.190

1@Ramhound I never said that they don't give you any option at all, what I actually meant was that they could also include an install disc if they don't want to include a partition. – Taylor Gibb – 2012-11-27T15:05:13.507

Don't have access to a new Win8 machine to test, but wonder whether the new Reset feature (which removes all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstalls Windows) will get rid of the crapware as well? – Karan – 2012-11-28T01:35:45.327

Crapware will be reinstalled :-/ Warning: The apps that came with your PC or you installed from Windows Store will be reinstalled http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

– Magnetic_dud – 2012-11-28T09:50:44.587

The "only" way to get rid of crapware and get a clean system is to wipe the hdd and install Windows from a DVD - the point of the question is that the DVD version will read the serial from the BIOS or not. – Magnetic_dud – 2012-11-28T09:52:16.787

@Magnetic_dud i did answer your question, i dont know why you accepted the other one, but anyway.... – Taylor Gibb – 2012-11-28T12:50:30.137

Both were good. But I upvoted your answer, it was at -1 (i don't know why, it's right) – Magnetic_dud – 2012-11-28T14:12:23.867

Answers

According to this Blog post you can use a clean ISO and the setup detect your OEM key:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/keithcombs/archive/2012/11/16/windows-8-bios-keys-embedded-goodness.aspx

If you look at the bottom of my machine, you’ll notice there is no Windows 8 Certificate of Authenticity (COA). There is an official Windows 8 logo sticker, but no product key.

The good news is that you no longer have to worry about it fading or getting scratched. The 5x5 key is embedded in the BIOS. Therefore all I had to do in order to install a fresh clean copy of Windows 8 was attach an external DVD drive, boot from the retail DVD, and run setup. As soon as I connected to the internet, the machine activated. It never asked me for a key. No fuss!!!

magicandre1981

Posted 2012-11-27T09:59:03.483

Reputation: 86 560

1While this answer is a great answer its missing important information. This solution requires you have a copy of Windows 8 ( x64/x86 ) on some media in order to do this. At this time the the only tool I am aware that can download the iso is the upgrade assistance which only offers the download after you purchase Windows 8. Of course the application that downloads the ISO isn't behind a pay wall. I might post an answer to this "problem" if I get around to it. This note is based on the fact the author had trouble creating the recovery media for his Windows 8 OEM system. – Ramhound – 2012-11-27T12:57:37.220

download a fresh ISO from the internet and compare the hashes to make sure you have an untouched ISO. MSFT posts the hashes on Technet/MSDN – magicandre1981 – 2012-11-27T14:00:54.223

The iso that the Upgrade Assistance Tool downloads does not match the hashes on Technet/MSDN. This answer is still incomplete, based on the dismisal attitude you have about my feedback, makes me wish I waited to vote on it. – Ramhound – 2012-11-27T14:09:35.833

yes, the tool downloads an encrypted Image (ESD) file. Ask a friend who has access to the Win8 ISO from Technet/MSDN or google for the ISO with the name "en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso" with the SHA1 hash of "1CE53AD5F60419CF04A715CF3233F247E48BEEC4" – magicandre1981 – 2012-11-27T14:17:48.980

yes this answer is certainly legit, advising you to download an ISO from the internet. – Taylor Gibb – 2012-11-27T15:03:01.280

You can still install it. The key is tied to your BIOS, when you do a clean installation the installation wizard detects that you have an OEM key in your BIOS.

Once Windows has finished installing your PC will connect to the internet and activate.

Taylor Gibb

Posted 2012-11-27T09:59:03.483

Reputation: 2 579