Windows 8/8.1 Clean Install without media?

Ironic Namesake

Ironic Namesake

Ironic Namesake

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I seem to be getting stuck , I'm trying to do a clean install of Windows 8 on my laptop as I've just installed an SSD and would prefer a fresh install. This laptop doesn't have any optical drives so I only have the option to install using bootable USB stick, so far I've tried the following without luck :

  1. Create bootable USB using official Win 8 installer from other PC. Fails at the beginning of installation because product keys don't match (the laptop does have a valid Win 8 license)
  2. Create bootable USB using official Win 8 installer on laptop. Doesn't get far as it rejects the product key "Not eligible for retail install" or something along those lines.
  3. Create bootable USB using ISO and various tools (Windows 7 official tool, 2 other third party tools. All of which don't seem to be bootable at all :confused:

Any suggestions? Bit annoying that it's so difficult considering I have a license for the OS :mad:
 
using method one (because at least it boots :p), save this in a file named ei.cfg inside the sources folder on the USB key.

Code: 
[EditionID]
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0

this allows you to bypass entering a key during setup.

you should be able to enter your own key when setup is complete. run an admin command prompt:

Code: 
slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
 
Last edited:
marc2003 said:
using method one (because at least it boots :p), save this in a file named ei.cfg inside the sources folder on the USB key.

Code: 
[EditionID]
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0

this allows you to bypass entering a key during setup.

you should be able to enter your own key when setup is complete. run an admin command prompt:

Code: 
slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Click to expand...

Thanks - that seemed to work. Let me install without entering key at first (need an app to retrieve it, stored in the BIOS apparently!)

Now it seems I've got Dual Boot - Windows 8, 8.1 - if I just format the original disk and leave the SSD will the Windows 8.1 option be removed?

Edit : Entered product key, but it seems it installed Windows 8 Pro - the ISO is for both editions but didn't give me any choice during install :confused:
 
Last edited:
Ironic Namesake said:
Now it seems I've got Dual Boot - Windows 8, 8.1 - if I just format the original disk and leave the SSD will the Windows 8.1 option be removed?
Click to expand...

you should have removed the old drive before doing the clean install. i think the bootloaders got all mashed up over 2 drives. my guess is the SSD won't boot if you remove/format the other drive. i'd start again to make it completely independent.

i fully expected you to get a choice of either core or pro during setup?? i must confess i have no idea how the OEM/bios stuff works on 8/8.1... :o
 
marc2003 said:
you should have removed the old drive before doing the clean install. i think the bootloaders got all mashed up over 2 drives. my guess is the SSD won't boot if you remove/format the other drive. i'd start again to make it completely independent.

i fully expected you to get a choice of either core or pro during setup?? i must confess i have no idea how the OEM/bios stuff works on 8/8.1... :o
Click to expand...

I ran the install again - there is nothing asking me if I want to install Core/Pro version.

If I set the [EditionID] to CORE, it won't even install and comes up with a pop up that no matching version of Windows is available to install with my serial (or something along those lines)

I'm going to see if I can manage to get the ISO to become bootable somehow then try that. I managed this clean install once before a while ago but really can't remember how :o
 
i've tested a modified ISO in VMware and i get the choice as expected.

i can only assume yours is installing PRO automatically based on what it's picking up from the BIOS?? i'd try activating it and see if it works.
 
marc2003 said:
i've tested a modified ISO in VMware and i get the choice as expected.

i can only assume yours is installing PRO automatically based on what it's picking up from the BIOS?? i'd try activating it and see if it works.
Click to expand...

Activating doesn't work (says key not for this version, please enter setup) , but the image is being generated from my Win 8 Pro desktop - so maybe that's the reason it defaults to PRO install

My license as shown in BIOS is "win8 std dpk tpg" which is core / standard.

I'm 99% sure last time I did this I used the ISO I have now, but I haven't been able to get it to boot yet via : Win 7 USB tool, 3rd Party WinUSB maker, This guide, now trying This as it's a Lenovo laptop , although it seems nearly the same other than using FAT32 and not doing the bootsect step.
 
Ok, using the Lenovo guide I managed to get the ISO to boot and it seems to be installing core version now (when you accept T+Cs says Windows 8, rather than Windows 8 PRO)

So fingers crossed all goes OK :)
 
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