window 8 update over win7

doggles · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:06

so, I've got a bit of a predicament.

I bought a windows 8 update download. downloaded & burnt the ISO.

previously I was running windows 7 as an upgrade from vista.

just went to activate win8 & was advised that the key wasn't a clean install key.

so, win8 is upto date all programmes I use are installed however I can't verify the installation as I installed it as a clean install after a format.

does anyone know if I have to go through the rigmarole of installing vista, updating it all, then installing win7 & updating it all to finally be able to install win8 and then update everything again?

or do you think if I speak to microsoft & provide all my historic keys as proof of ownership they may issue a new key or activate win8 for me?!?

Orionaut · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:14

Have you tried the "Double install"/ "repair system" trick?

doggles · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:17

nope what's that? I presume I repair the install ?

Elevon · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:18

Try this http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/windows-8-pro-upgrade-product-key-cant-be-used-to/1726d238-98fb-4634-a468-04645a8ee097

The work around for this, while probably not officially supported for obvious reasons (they want more money), is to change a registry key. This was posted for Windows 7 update keys doing the same thing on a forum (though I had an update version AND did a clean install MULTIPLE times without having to do this) but worked without an issue on my laptop running Windows 8 regardless.

1. Run the registry editor (regedit)
2. Find the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE
3. Change the value for 'MediaBootInstall' from 1 to 0
4. Open an elevated command prompt (run as admin)
5. Run the following command: slmgr -rearm
6. Reboot

If you already entered your key, check the activation: for me it was already activated and I needed to do nothing more. If not, type in activate windows and type in the key; it should work. Also, do yourself a favor and export this key from regedit and save it somewhere if you ever are required to do another clean install. I know I did.

~>Dg<~ · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:19

that works

doggles · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:24

thanks guys I really wasn't looking forward to hrs of pointless windows installations

Orionaut · 12 Oct 2013 at 23:24

doggles said:
nope what's that? I presume I repair the install ?

That's the one, though the regedit trick works too.

HTH