Reinstall Windows 8 OEM

UnworthyBean · 14 Nov 2012 at 20:26

Previously with Windows 7 the COA would be attached to the bottom of the PC with the serial number on. However in Windows 8 this isn't the case and it just comes with a sticker.

Whats the best way to reinstall Windows 8? Is this even possible?

gareth170 · 14 Nov 2012 at 20:53

is it a prebuilt system or u built it?

u can reinstall Windows 8 as many times as u like.

but if it's a prebuilt system u just can't transfer the license

UnworthyBean · 14 Nov 2012 at 20:54

Its prebuilt, laptops bought from various manafacturers. Where I work we deploy hundreds of laptops a week with our custom images and can reactivate them fine using the key on the bottom.

At the moment we're trying to figure out a way of doing this on Win 8.

gareth170 · 14 Nov 2012 at 20:58

UnworthyBean said:
Its prebuilt, laptops bought from various manafacturers. Where I work we deploy hundreds of laptops a week with our custom images and can reactivate them fine using the key on the bottom.

At the moment we're trying to figure out a way of doing this on Win 8.

did it come with a win8 DVD?

or

u could do a system restore to factory settings from within windows

UnworthyBean · 14 Nov 2012 at 21:06

gareth170 said:
did it come with a win8 DVD?

or

u could do a system restore to factory settings from within windows

It didn't come with a Windows disc, But we've got a copy through Technet. Theres still the problem with activating it though.

Also system restore wont let us put our custom image on?

gareth170 · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:02

UnworthyBean said:
It didn't come with a Windows disc, But we've got a copy through Technet. Theres still the problem with activating it though.

try this

Activate Windows 8 Pro Upgrade

Windows 8 users who noticed that the operating system can’t be activated after the installation may want to try the following workaround that worked to activate when installing Windows 7 using an upgrade on a clean PC.

Open regedit by pressing Windows-q, entering regedit and selecting the result from the list of hits.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/

Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0

Go back to the start screen and enter cmd there.

Right-click Command Prompt and select to run it as administrator.

Type slmgr /rearm on the command line and hit enter.

Reboot Windows now.

Run the activation utility afterwards, enter your product key to activate Windows.

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/10/27/windows-8-upgrade-clean-install-possible/

UnworthyBean · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:03

That's all well and good, but the product key is nowhere on the laptop, apart from booting it up and using software to find it

gareth170 · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:10

UnworthyBean said:
That's all well and good, but the product key is nowhere on the laptop, apart from booting it up and using software to find it

hmmmm you should contact the manufacturer's tbh. because the laptops should have COA stickers and recovery disks

UnworthyBean · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:15

gareth170 said:
hmmmm you should contact the manufacturer's tbh. because the laptops should have COA stickers and recovery disks

I've heard and seen a few laptops coming like this, thought it was the norm for factory purchased win 8 laptops but it may not.

Might try ringing them, see what's up.

Cheers.

troops · 14 Nov 2012 at 23:47

I think you have to backup the Store folder
C:\Windows\System32\spp\store

Then in safe mode, with cmd prompt
slmgr -upk
net stop sppsvc

Then swap the folder into the new install.

RastaManBob · 20 Nov 2012 at 17:13

Any updates on this?

My new W8 Dell arrived yesterday and has no COA attached (only a small W8 sticker next to where the COA *would* have gone). I'd like to know how I'll ever reinstall on this should the need arise. This is particularly important since the Dell Backup and Recovery software is not working correctly for me and so I cannot create Dell media.

I have my own W8 DVD set (purchased as part of the upgrade deal on another machine) and so I would be happy using these if necessary in the future but I don't know what license key I'd have to use... Help!?

trackrat · 20 Nov 2012 at 17:17

Would using Magic jelly bean retrieve the right key.

UnworthyBean · 20 Nov 2012 at 17:26

troops said:
I think you have to backup the Store folder
C:\Windows\System32\spp\store

Then in safe mode, with cmd prompt
slmgr -upk
net stop sppsvc

Then swap the folder into the new install.

This worked perfectly, cheers.

RastaManBob said:
Any updates on this?

My new W8 Dell arrived yesterday and has no COA attached (only a small W8 sticker next to where the COA *would* have gone). I'd like to know how I'll ever reinstall on this should the need arise. This is particularly important since the Dell Backup and Recovery software is not working correctly for me and so I cannot create Dell media.

I have my own W8 DVD set (purchased as part of the upgrade deal on another machine) and so I would be happy using these if necessary in the future but I don't know what license key I'd have to use... Help!?

Using the above method worked for me, it's a bit long winded, but may be an option.

trackrat said:
Would using Magic jelly bean retrieve the right key.

Afaik, it pulls out the correct key, but I'm not too sure about activation problems, at the time of the op I'd managed to fubar windows and this wasn't an option. If I get a chance ill try it.