Getting windows on a new machine with no OS?

[Mymar]

I was considering downloading the evaluation 8.1 and either using the license from my current PC, or just buying a new one so I can continue to use this one until all important documents are off this machine. So my question is can this work? Or do I need to actually have a disc? I didn't get a cd drive for my new PC because I don't really use my old one anyway, and if I do need it I figured I could just take it out of the case. So, what are my options? Do they still make external drives for DVDs etc?

[The Dark Raven]

They make external drives, yes.

You could also get a copy of the eval copy and put on a thumb drive and install it that way, but you will have to tell the computer to boot from the thumb drive (which I am not versed on how that works, I just know it can be done).

[TwistedAlice]

I know that this is an old post, but in case you haven't managed it yet, here's a handy link http://www.poweriso.com/tutorials/how-to-make-win7-bootable-usb-drive.htm

[Mymar]

Thanks, I figured it out, my plan was the wrong one. Apparently all I had to do was go to where I bought windows from and redownload it. Silly me.