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Thread: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

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    Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Just put together a new PC for my dad and used a workaround to download the win 8.1 ISO with a win 8 key (mine): http://www.techradar.com/news/softwa...c=rss&attr=all

    He will be able to get a win 8 license from work - will he be able to activate a win 8.1 install with a win 8 key?


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    Nick
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  2. #2
    Splash
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Can't see any reason it wouldn't work, but I'm just grabbing a Win8.1 iso and license from Technet to test that out for you. Gimme half an hour and I'll have an answer.

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    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Didn't work for me prior to 8.1 final shipping

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  6. #4
    Splash
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Hmm, seems that my gut feeling is incorrect: "This product key didn't work. Please check it and try again".

    Looks like you need a Win8.1 key to install directly.

    EDIT- Although if you follow the guide here you can enter the generic 8.1 key to install, then change the key to your regular Windows 8 key once install is complete prior to activation. I've tested this and it works fine. I tested this with a Technet (so it should be the same as a retail) Windows 8.1 ISO and a Technet Windows 8 Pro license key.

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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Looked like it was a little difficult, was unsure whether it would work so just went for the ei.cfg workaround to install win8 without a key and he can just go through all the normal upgrade paths I guess
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  9. #6
    Splash
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Not really: boot from Win8.1 media, enter the key provided on the site that I linked and install. Once installed go to the "activate Windows" page and you'll see that the key isn't valid and you need to enter the correct one (ie your proper Win8 key), then activate. Seems simple enough to me, but your route also works.

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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    I did an install fine straight from windows 8.1 using a windows 8 key... but I added a .cfg file to the unpacked iso file on usb stick.
    Under the unpacked files, in the "sources" folder create a file named ei.cfg using notepad or something
    in it write the lines:

    [EditionID]
    Professional
    [Channel]
    Retail
    [VL]
    0

    and then you should be able to install windows 8.1 using a windows 8 key directly

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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Quote Originally Posted by Splash View Post
    Not really: boot from Win8.1 media, enter the key provided on the site that I linked and install. Once installed go to the "activate Windows" page and you'll see that the key isn't valid and you need to enter the correct one (ie your proper Win8 key), then activate. Seems simple enough to me, but your route also works.
    Yeah, it just seems that it doesn't like activating 8.1 fresh install using a windows 8 key, wasn't 100% it would work so I decided not to risk needing to do a complete re-install later. He's more patient than me anyway
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    But Why's It So Cold?. jon bda's Avatar
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Hope you don't mind me butting in peeps, but is there any way you can get Windows 8/8.1 to display your serial number? Bought the missus a new lappy for chrimbo and it came with no media and not even a sticker for the licence on it!. Made the one whole set of recovery discs i'm allowed too, but would like to know the serial as well if possible...if it did ever need a fresh install, i think i would rather do one off a Windows disc rather than re-install all the unwanted extra bloat the manufacturers stick on...

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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Quote Originally Posted by jon bda View Post
    Hope you don't mind me butting in peeps, but is there any way you can get Windows 8/8.1 to display your serial number? Bought the missus a new lappy for chrimbo and it came with no media and not even a sticker for the licence on it!. Made the one whole set of recovery discs i'm allowed too, but would like to know the serial as well if possible...if it did ever need a fresh install, i think i would rather do one off a Windows disc rather than re-install all the unwanted extra bloat the manufacturers stick on...
    http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

    Or from Linux, "sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM | tail -c 29"

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  15. #11
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    Re: Fresh install of windows 8.1 with windows 8 key?

    Belarc advisor is what I use - gives you basically all of the information possible about your computer including all serial keys etc
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