Windows 8.1 Fresh Install

nicktay2605

nicktay2605

nicktay2605

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Joined
22 Mar 2007
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Hi all,

I've just bought a new SSD and want to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 onto it. However, I have come across a problem. I have an upgrade version of Windows 8 that I got when Microsoft were doing their offer for a cheap upgrade from Windows 7 to 8, so I don't have a product key and think I've probably deleted the order email they sent out when I purchased it.

I've tried using third-party software and have run a script to show me the product key, but when I try to enter it it says it's not valid or can't be used for installing Windows, only for adding features. How would I go about installing a fresh copy of Windows? Is phoning Microsoft my best option?
 
when you upgraded did you get a new product key or did it work from your windows 7 key?

when it states its not valid, is this during the os install or once the os is installed and trying to activate?

if its during install try one of these place holder keys to get the OS up and running and then try changing it to your original key to activate

core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

forgot to ask is it OEM or retail windows 8.1 where did you get the iso\disc from as well?
 
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I think I got a new product key. It's not that it's stating it's not valid, it's saying 'the product key you entered is an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8'. I don't have my Windows 7 key any more, so I can't think of a way around it. I've tried using the generic key you provided and it allows me to install 8.1, but then it won't let me activate once I've installed and got the OS running.

The problem I have is that Windows will allow you to do media creation of Windows 8.1 but the product key I have is for Windows 8. I can't find an iso of Windows 8 because they all seem to have been updated to 8.1.

I'm thinking my best bet is just to wait for Windows 10 to be released in a few days and try to do a clean install of that.
 
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You're not able to enter your Windows 8.0 key to replace the generic one in order to activate your new 8.1 installation?
 
No, I get the above message where it says 'the product key you entered is an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8', or I get the message saying 'this key doesn't seem to have worked'. I know it's absolutely fine because I have it running on my old SSD and it says Windows is activated. Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't MS stopped people from using Windows 8 keys to activate 8.1?
 
I have Media Centre, and the above didn't happen to me. Where did you get the license from, and what ISO have you got? Was it the one from the MS website? Have you tried the recovery media option?
 
I did a fresh install of Win8 on a new drive a few months back and had problems activating it because I only have an upgrade key. I contacted Microsoft, played a bit dumb, they connected to take a look, explained it was because I only had an upgrade key, then just activated it for me.
 
Yeah I'm going to do the same thing I think. It might be that the key I'm using is the media centre key. I used produkey and balarc to reveal the key but Windows is saying the product key is for a different edition of Windows.

I guess I'll just have to call MS and get them to activate it for me.
 
I'm completely at a loss as to what to do. I phoned MS and they were less than useless. They basically suggested that I find my copy of Windows 7 and install that and then try to upgrade to 8 from there, even though I still won't be able to create installation media for Windows 8, so I don't know how I'd upgrade. I think I'm just going to have to buy a full copy of Windows 10 when it's released tomorrow and just be done with it.
 
nicktay2605 said:
I'm completely at a loss as to what to do. I phoned MS and they were less than useless. They basically suggested that I find my copy of Windows 7 and install that and then try to upgrade to 8 from there, even though I still won't be able to create installation media for Windows 8, so I don't know how I'd upgrade. I think I'm just going to have to buy a full copy of Windows 10 when it's released tomorrow and just be done with it.
Click to expand...

you dont.. i have installed 8.1 with my windows 8 key twice with no problems..

Read here http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

Microsoft allow you to create the 8.1 install media.. install and enter you windows 8 key... it will fail but then choose the option to activate via Phone ( no don't speak to anyone its all automated ) then enter the values they give you on the phone and enter them into the window for activation...
 
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Yeah, I decided that was probably the best course of action. Thanks for the suggestion, it saves me wasting more time and effort trying to wrap my head around the problem.

enigma: I tried all that already. I downloaded and created Windows 8.1 installation media using a generic key (my one failed due to being an upgrade only key) but when I tried to use the slui 4 command it simply didn't do anything. I got no phone activation come up and had no option for phone activation when I went into PC settings>Activate Windows. I don't know what on earth was going on and I've just had enough of trying to sort it out. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
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