Hi, I need your help to understand few things in above said version of Microsoft Windows. I understand SL stands for Single Language, Does SL comes with Windows 8 Pro like the "N" version? Is it the key which decides the version or the installation media? e.g. what if I install the OS from Windows 8 standard ISO file? Is it the Retail license or bound to your motherboard? Thanks.
Single Language is only available in Windows 8 (Core) versions. It's a different SKU. It's basically the same as normal Core except that you cannot activate it using a Core key or the other way around. The most notable thing about Single Language versions are the complete lack of ability to change the language. AFAIK only OEM systems such as laptops come in the Core Single Language variety and are meant to be a cheaper version for OEM system builders to install. OEM is activated similarly to a Retail key in that it contacts the activation server, sends them some data to identify things, and ties the key to the machine used to activate. It does not seem to come in any N versions that I'm aware of.
Single language editions are delivered with OEM laptop only , the key is fixed in bios and there is no possibility to change the OS language.
Addition to the previous posts: leaked windows 8.1 SL editions has the ability to be upgraded to core/pro/pro with media center
Oh I see. So, once activated on a specific hardware it won't work if you upgrade your PC (motherboard, and etc), or even install it on a VirtualBox VM. Alright. Actually I already have bought a Windows 8 Pro retail few nights back, I need another copy for my brother. Windows 8 SL is significantly cheaper than the Pro version.
I would grab a copy of Windows 8 pro as its easy to activate with mtk. Looking at this copy of windows 8 SL. I honestly don't like it at all as it feels too constraining license wise. Hmm you could just down right pirate windows 8 for what its worth. This is basically the place to figure out how to use tools on forum to get windows activated as I won't come out and say the w word lol. Or are we going through this the legit way licensing wise?
Of course legit licensing. I'm not a lawyer, but I always try to minimize the piracy as much as possible. Anyway, I'm not a system builder nor the person who stays with a specific hardware for too long so keeping this in mind, if Win8 SL comes with OEM licensing it's a no-go for me. Thanks for your reply.
I would say windows 8 SL is not OEM reliant so you can change the hardware but it would require re activation of the product which shouldn't be a problem as I do it occasionally myself. If I'm thinking about this correctly should just act like a regular retail key.
Yes, this is exactly what I'm looking for. My Win8 Pro retail doesn't even ask me to click the "activate now" button, all I've to do is just put the key during setup and it automatically activates regardless the hardware (tried even on VirtualBox VMs).
Windows 8 Single Language is simply Windows 8 Starter. It's an OEM version which comes with new computers and laptops. I think that this SKU haven't support for adding other languages.
you can go for core if you don't want to buy pro, core and coreSL are same accept that coreSL doesnot allow you to have more than 1 language....
Hey people, do you know why most laptops come with Windows 8 SL edition? No? Because SL stands for 's**t Loaded' (No offence to Windows 8). Think of all the crap-ware OEMs load on your laptops!
SL is not loaded because crapware can be installed on it... it can be installed on other SKU's as well. The only reason is it is cheaper as compared to other SKU's