Windows 8 Activation

[Tute]

Hi all.

Basically I just used my Windows 8 key to install Windows 8 from a USB stick. The first thing I did was upgrade to 8.1 using the Microsoft store.

Now the problem came when I tried to activate, it keeps telling me my key is invalid.

Do I need to activate first before I put Windows 8.1 on or am I missing something obvious here?

The key is one of the ones bought for £25 during Microsoft's offer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tute]

Cool, so the phone activation works? I didn't think of that, all done now, thanks.

As an aside as well, will the key work in the same way with a Windows 8.1 ISO or do I always have to do 8.0 first and then download the 8.1 upgrade from the store?

I ask as I noticed Microsoft have added a link to my download page for the 8.1 ISO but then they talk about 8.0 and 8.1 keys as if they are different?

I admit, I miss the days when it was just a service pack!