Microsoft Doesn’t Want Me Using Windows 8

Upgrade to Windows 8 – Microsoft Windows:

Purchasing a full version of Windows 8

If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you’ll need to ask a sales rep for more information. This version does not include customer support.

I was idly thinking about buying Windows 8 to run in a VM on my MacBook Pro, so I could play around with it. I used to run a Windows 7 VM on my MBP, but it annoyingly kept self-reporting as not genuine and googling showed a lot of people had the same problem and the cure required more effort than I was willing to give to Windows 7. Consequently, I’ve been without any access to testing web sites on IE for a long time, which feels liberating yet irresponsible.

Chrome took me to the Microsoft online store, where I saw that I could download Windows 8 for $40, but that was the upgrade version only. I should be eligible to upgrade, as I have an NT 4.0 full version disk and an XP Home Upgrade disk and a Windows 7 Upgrade disk, but that sure created cranky installation sequences in the past that required trickery to execute (and then ultimately fell apart anyway), so I’ve no interest in a repeat run.

Now I read that Microsoft doesn’t have much interest in my type. No Windows 8 Full-Version downloads–you can only buy it from a brick-and-mortar (after asking a “sales rep”)? And I get no support, even though I’d probably pay more than an upgrader? If the DRM breaks or my VM can’t phone home to authenticate, I’m just taking it on the chin?

Well played, Microsoft–that is, if you’re intending to limit your audience. Maybe you’re more embarrassed about Windows 8 than you’re letting on.