How can I download 8.1 when I only have an OEM product key?

JaseUK · 8 Feb 2014 at 20:17

I have just purchased myself a Acer Aspire V5-122P laptop and I wanted to install an ssd drive in it but I am struggling to get the product key to work on the Microsoft 8.1 download page.

I am aware of the workaround i.e start the 8 download and then cancel and then download the 8.1 iso but when I input the OEM product key it wont let me use it as it says it needs to be retail.

I do have a retail key but its for 8 Pro and the laptop is not using the Pro version.

I had to find the key on the laptop using Jellybean.

Is there anyway I can do a full fresh reinstall of Windows 8.1 on this lappy or am I snookered?

KIA · 8 Feb 2014 at 21:40

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=25768146&postcount=2 & http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=25802771&postcount=6

JaseUK · 8 Feb 2014 at 23:14

Will I be able to use the .iso I downloaded using the product key for 8 Pro as long as I download it on the laptop I am going to install it on?

Only the laptop came with just the core version of W8

JaseUK · 9 Feb 2014 at 09:58

JaseUK said:
Will I be able to use the .iso I downloaded using the product key for 8 Pro as long as I download it on the laptop I am going to install it on?

Only the laptop came with just the core version of W8

I have tried this and it doesnt work. A Win 8.1 Pro .iso does not revert to Win 8 Core if you use a Core product key. Ah well back to the drawing board.

KIA · 9 Feb 2014 at 10:50

Grab one of the ISOs mentioned in the second link.

JaseUK · 9 Feb 2014 at 13:20

I ended up just cloning the drive onto my SSD. Not ideal but I never feel comfortable with downloading torrents.

CaptainCrash · 9 Feb 2014 at 14:43

JaseUK said:
I ended up just cloning the drive onto my SSD. Not ideal but I never feel comfortable with downloading torrents.

They *are* the MSDN ISOs, they're bit-for-bit identical to the ones hosted at MSDN/Technet. You can check the SHA-1 hashes if you don't feel comfortable that the evil act of torrenting won't somehow change good bits into bad bits.

JaseUK · 9 Feb 2014 at 14:47

CaptainCrash said:
They *are* the MSDN ISOs, they're bit-for-bit identical to the ones hosted at MSDN/Technet. You can check the SHA-1 hashes if you don't feel comfortable that the evil act of torrenting won't somehow change good bits into bad bits.

Thanks for the advice but I think i will stick with the cloned installation. I never know where to look for torrents anyhow. The first couple of suggested sites had been closed so it scared me off. :eek: