[citation][nom]stevevnicks[/nom]hello,i bought the Microsoft windows 8 pro upgrade (download version from MicroSoft) , Now once i upgraded, a few weeks later i wanted to re-install just to see how the upgrade gose from a fully formated hard disk .. first i had to install windows 7 then i could either upgrade from within windows 7 or reboot and install fresh from reboot but only if you have an OS installed first, if you use the upgrade disk and install on just a blank/formatted hard disk it will install, but when you type the windows 8 pro key in to reg windows 8 pro it will say the key is for upgrade only and will not reg the os, so you have to have an OS installed first, hence it being an upgrade key, wonder if a full oem key would work with the windows 8 upgrade disk ? anyway the windows 7 key no longer works with windows 7 if i try to register it, it just says they key is no longer valid (or words to that effect) and will need a new windows 7 product key, i guess this because i upgraded to windows 8 (which im happy about apart from if i work how much windows 8 has realy cost me here in england) ok windows 7 home premium oem cost me 120 uk pounds plus 24.99 uk pounds for windows 8 download then 10 uk pounds because i wanted the disks total 154.99 uk pounds, so if you up grade to windows 8 you do give up your windows 7 licence. after using windows 8 pro since the upgrade release I have got used to the OS and would not go back to windows 7, any issue with drivers will be sorted out over time, the same as it has with all other OS's befor windows 8 .... i suppose some people just find change hard.so if I need to re-install from scratch/new hard drive, I have to do it this way.1. install windows 7 and type in windows 7 key but do not try to reg it just basic disk install no updates2. once windows 7 installed either upgrade from with in windows 7 at desk to or reboot pc and start up grade that way.there is a BIG FLAW I figured out with windows 8 reg that they have over looked, but I'll let you sus it out as I don't want to get in trouble for share'n the info .. good luck[/citation]
No dude just download the Windows 8 ISO direct form Microsoft and use the key they emailed.. Done it tons of times.. The key they give you allows a clean install