How to obtain Windows 8.1 iso with Windows 8 OEM key.

Skynet5 · 19 Oct 2013 at 15:35

It looks like owners of Windows 8 OEM are screwed.

We cannot obtain the install media for a clean install.

We have to always install Windows 8, go through the updates...then download Windows 8.1 from the App Store.

I've looked to use the generic key 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT to get the download by running the WindowsSetupBox.exe but just says it cannot connect.

Anyone with an idea?

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 14:54

This is very frustrating.
What should be a 10min job via usb drive is going to be well over 1.5hrs now for a fresh install.

Good job Microsoft. Good job.

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 15:55

inogen said:
You can download a 8.1 .iso direct from Microsoft like so http://www.winbeta.org/news/how-download-windows-81-iso-using-your-windows-8-retail-key

I've just done it.

That's if you have a retail key. I bought oem...doesn't like my key.

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 15:59

I can only image this is to stop users doing fresh installs outside of computer builders guidelines which have to support these users.

Sucks.

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 16:00

inogen said:
Let's me download the iso, but then my key won't activate it when I install...

So you used 8 oem key to download iso?

But after install it won't activate?

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 16:21

inogen said:
Not sure if it's OEM or retail. It's a key MS sent me when I upgraded to Win 8 when they ran the introductory offer. But yeah, it lets me download the iso but not install it. Which is a little bonkers.

I had to use this placeholder key to install...

XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WK

Think that would be a retail key from MS then.

Feel free to inbox me to let me download it

Skynet5 · 20 Oct 2013 at 17:06

I'm following this to help clean up my machine if ever needed rather than doing a reinstall that would require: 8 -> upgrades -> 8.1

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive

Skynet5 · 21 Oct 2013 at 15:28

matthab said:
I really dont know why people are moaning at this one. I did my 2 Windows 8 RT tablets and 2 Laptops in 2 hours. That was bang on launch day where the world and his wife have been downloading it.

Everytime I tried my iOS devices it would take all night to download. While its annoying this is the way every ones going.

I see your point. Getting 8.1 was a good experience.

But those with 8 OEM have a real PITA ahead of them if they want to rebuild their machine. Which I might do regular twice a year, and as needed in case of an OS failure for whatever reason.

I am hoping that the Windows Refresh option is as good as doing reinstalls, as I have now created a image using recimg.exe. 6gb of space on my SSD but never mind.

Skynet5 · 23 Oct 2013 at 09:50

vonex said:
not sure if i can post these here, but heres both 32/64bit windows 8.1 pro iso

Windows 8.1 Professional - English - X86 (32bit)

http://bit.ly/1d8CObb

Windows 8.1 Professional - English - X64 (64bit)

http://bit.ly/18zMKXU

What I am hoping is that I can edit the ei.cfg and then install without a key and then use my Windows 8 OEM key to activate.

Even when you are legally allowed to use their software they make it difficult. Are they trying to promote piracy?

Skynet5 · 23 Oct 2013 at 11:52

rolypolyman said:
Thanks a lot for this, followed it, was very easy, well pleased.

Did it let you tick the box to copy over the image created by recimg? Mine didnt, but I don't have a RECOVERY partition anyway.

Doesnt really matter I guess.

Skynet5 · 23 Oct 2013 at 23:14

lnoton said:
What I am hoping is that I can edit the ei.cfg and then install without a key and then use my Windows 8 OEM key to activate.

Even when you are legally allowed to use their software they make it difficult. Are they trying to promote piracy?

This didn't work for me in the end. I tried the iso linked above and on boot it tells me the product key doesn't match the installation media.

I don't believe my uefi bios should have any key installed in it. As it is a home built machine.

guess Us oem folk will have to live with a long winded reinstall if ever needed.

Skynet5 · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:57

Bane said:
It generates some traffic for the store app I guess, as I wouldn't have used otherwise.

Agreed.

I think it might be to protect pc manufacturers from a whole lot of pain of support calls...

Either way...it should be somehow possible. Maybe MS should give 8.1 key in exchange to cancelling 8.0 key for those in the know.

#unloved

Skynet5 · 26 Oct 2013 at 16:54

I have the 8.1 UK RTM ISO. I started the installer and entered a Core generic key...and it progressed through to chose the drive to install on. I've now aborted the process.

Question is, once installed would it accept my OEM 8.0 key to activate?

RTM is good enough, as a clean install would then just result a a few updates I image.

Skynet5 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:54

nightmare99 said:
Yes it will, infact if you create an ei.cfg for Core and put it in your ISO for example you can use this to update a Win 8.0 Core installation and you will not be prompted for a key until OOBE at which point you can use the OEM 8.0 key, also the same when doing a clean install. This negates the need to use generic keys to install, very handy if you have multiple computers to update.

Interesting. So an ei.cfg set to core, oem? And then it won't prompt for a key?

I wonder what the oem/retail option does? Would it reject my oem key if I had set it to retail?

Does the GA update appear in windows update for the rtm?