Installing 8.1 on a HP laptop

Orcvader

Orcvader

Orcvader

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Just got a question, bought a HP laptop last year with Windows 8 preinstalled, updraded to 8.1. I wish to do a fresh install with a Windows 8.1 ISO. However, the sticker does not have the product key, would I need to use something like Magical Jelly Bean to get the product key? Also, during the install, do I need to use a generic 8.1 key, and then activate it after the install with the HP 8 key?

EDIT: I managed to find this guide, so the product key is part of the BIOS itself. I guess I need to extract it from there then?

EDIT 2: Whoops, forgot to link to guide: http://superuser.com/questions/697253/clean-install-windows-8-1-or-windows-8-from-oem-key
 
Last edited:
Memphis said:
Why not just use restore to factory settings option within Recovery?
Click to expand...

The partitions are messed up when it upgraded to 8.1. Before, the partitions were like this:

[400mb recovery][260mb EFI][main C:/][HP recovery]

After the 8.1 upgrade, it became like this:

[400mb recovery][260mb EFI][main C:/][350mb recovery][HP recovery]

I wiped the HP recovery partition as I wanted the extra space, but that 350mb partition 8.1 added is in the way. I'm also guessing it makes the other recovery partition (which I believe is actually the boot partition) useless. Also, I just want to make sure all the HP bloatware is gone.
 
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