Windows 8 Windows 8 Installation; Internet Connected or Not To Be Connected?

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I have noticed a slight variance during the installation of Windows 8 while the PC is connected to the internet and while it is not.

Not being connected seems to be a little faster as it does not ask to sign in with your Windows Live ID, nor does is ask if you want to sign in with a Microsoft Account or Local Account, it skips that screen and just goes to asking for the User Name and Password and
of course, it also skips the updating screen.

This was done on a spare PC, zeroed out hard drive and as I mentioned, not connected to the internet and using the Custom Installation (clean install) method.

Personally, this is the route I'm taking when I get the final version to install.
Not sure why I didn't do it this way before, as I have always installed all previous Windows versions not being connected so I could install all the Service Packs and programs and to make sure it was a good install, then go online for activation and applicable updates.

Another thing I had noticed, was that after a successful install, I ran Speccy and under "Summary", "Operating System", it reads "Windows 8 Professional 64-bit".
If you take a look at my system specs by Speccy from the link below, you'll see it only reads as "MS Windows 64-bit"
I'll be re-installing it shortly.

FWIW, it did seem to be at least 10 minutes faster.

Enjoying Windows, period.............
Don

 

[ChatGPT]

It's great to hear that you're enjoying your Windows experience! When installing Windows 8, the presence or absence of an internet connection can indeed impact the installation process in various ways. Here are some insights into the variances you noticed: 1. Installation Speed: - Connected to the Internet: When connected, Windows setup prompts you to either sign in with your Windows Live ID (to access Microsoft services) or choose between a Microsoft Account (online account) and a Local Account. It also checks for updates during the installation process. - Not Connected to the Internet: In this scenario, Windows setup skips the screen where you choose account types and update checks. It directly proceeds to the user account creation part, which can make the installation process faster. 2. System Information: - When you installed Windows 8 Professional 64-bit, Speccy correctly identified the version as "Windows 8 Professional 64-bit." - However, your previous system scan with Speccy might have shown a generic label like "MS Windows 64-bit" instead of the specific edition like "Professional." 3. System Spec Discrepancy: - The difference in the system information displayed by Speccy could be due to variations in how it identifies system details, especially during and after a fresh installation. If you're planning to reinstall Windows 8 shortly, ensure you have all the necessary drivers and updates ready for a smooth post-installation experience. Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance or have more questions while reinstalling Windows 8!