Lost my windows 8 pro install CD!!!

JacobG

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2
I don't know what to do... I purchased Windows 8 when it came out from Best Buy. I got a new hard drive because my old one gave out on me and I'm attempting to reinstall Windows 8 on it but I can't find my CD. I have my product key but no CD, any one know if theres a way to download windows 8? I know there's illegal ways of doing it but I don't really trust those things. So I was wondering if theres a legit way of doing this?

Thanks for the help!

Jacob G
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Well... When I went to use the Windows 8 setup program and I typed in my product key it gives me an error. "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8"

Any idea what could be going wrong?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Well... When I went to use the Windows 8 setup program and I typed in my product key it gives me an error. "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8"

Any idea what could be going wrong?

Thanks
@JacobG

You are very welcome.

Is your computer an OEM preinstalled Win8? Doesn't sound like it from what your wrote originally. Anyway, an embedded key from such a machine would not work. Otherwise, there is a problem with your key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I am reinstalling 2 tablets as I type this...

If you can reinstall to factory settings, then do so..
most machines now days have a recovery partition or a method to reinstall to factory settings..

once Windows 8 is installed....
you don't need the disk to upgrade, you do an Add feature through the Search Charm

here is the site that has the instruction

Add features - Microsoft Windows

good luck
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 - Linux (Ubuntu & Zorin) - XP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBuyPower
    CPU
    i5-2320 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock H61M-VVGS
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 6770
I don't know what to do... I purchased Windows 8 when it came out from Best Buy. I got a new hard drive because my old one gave out on me and I'm attempting to reinstall Windows 8 on it but I can't find my CD. I have my product key but no CD, any one know if theres a way to download windows 8? I know there's illegal ways of doing it but I don't really trust those things. So I was wondering if theres a legit way of doing this?

Thanks for the help!

Jacob G

If you purchased Windows 8 product key with DVD.

You can order MS Replacment disks from here:

Replacements, Refunds and Rebates Solution Center
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Well... When I went to use the Windows 8 setup program and I typed in my product key it gives me an error. "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8"

Any idea what could be going wrong?

Thanks

That may just be because its looking for an "upgrade" key and yours is the full version key. That download is tailored to let people that already bought the upgrade version online download it again. It's not meant for what you want. Unfortunately there are no published Microsoft download links for just the ISO. You need a TechNet or MSDN subscription to get them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Well... When I went to use the Windows 8 setup program and I typed in my product key it gives me an error. "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8"

Any idea what could be going wrong?

Thanks

That may just be because its looking for an "upgrade" key and yours is the full version key. That download is tailored to let people that already bought the upgrade version online download it again. It's not meant for what you want. Unfortunately there are no published Microsoft download links for just the ISO. You need a TechNet or MSDN subscription to get them.
But, his retail software also should be an upgrade, unless he bought system builder software--which I don't think he did. Still, you may be right in the sense that an upgrade product key from a brick and mortar store (or related online store) can't be used for what he is trying to do. The message he got is strange, in this regard, though, since he has a retail (upgrade) product key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Well... When I went to use the Windows 8 setup program and I typed in my product key it gives me an error. "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8"

Any idea what could be going wrong?

Thanks

That may just be because its looking for an "upgrade" key and yours is the full version key. That download is tailored to let people that already bought the upgrade version online download it again. It's not meant for what you want. Unfortunately there are no published Microsoft download links for just the ISO. You need a TechNet or MSDN subscription to get them.
But, his retail software also should be an upgrade, unless he bought system builder software--which I don't think he did. Still, you may be right in the sense that an upgrade product key from a brick and mortar store (or related online store) can't be used for what he is trying to do. The message he got is strange, in this regard, though, since he has a retail (upgrade) product key.

There are full versions and upgrade versions. A full retail product will let you do an upgrade or a full install, the upgrade version won't. The upgrade version is not supposed to let you do a full install. I'm sure you know all that but I'll state it for those that may not. I haven't seen where the OP stated it was upgrade only, so I'm guessing the online download doesn't like his key because its not one of the issued upgrade keys. It's just a guess, that displayed message doesn't help but any number of errors in the download process might get you that canned error message. It may only accept keys originally handed out by that web page download. I've never used that site to download Windows 8 and haven't bought Windows 8 online or otherwise. It came pre-installed on my new laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
There are no retail full install versions of Win8 except for system builder software (or those obtained via Technet or MSDN--which are not retail versions). However, upgrade versions definitely do clean (i.e., in effect full) installs (and reinstalls), and I think that they are designed to do so, but that is debatable. Please see Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade. Also, see this note in Clean Install - Windows 8.


"If you wanted to do a clean install with Windows 8 upgrade media, then see the tutorial below first.

How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade
."

I don't remember if you see the "Custom (Install ....) screen when using an upgrade version, but no matter.

As said, in essence, before, I agree with the rest of what you said. I have not bought a retail upgrade version from a brick and mortar store (or online version of one); so I have never tried a related product key on the site in question either. I did purchase the "same" discs when I upgraded online. The product key pertinent to my upgrade (and the discs) works on the site. So, originally, I thought the same would hold for brick and mortar purchased retail upgrades. We agree that that may not be the case after all.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Yes, you are correct, it looks like full versions are OEM only. That's all I see on Newegg anyway. That wouldn't stop me from buying one and using it on my own home built PC though. I had thought that there would be full Retail versions out there buy now but Microsoft must have other ideas? I can't speak for that upgrade download but its been Microsoft's practice in the past to check for a qualifying OS when installing with an upgrade version. That upgrade download may bypass that check during the install, I believe it checks for the qualifying OS as part of the download so maybe that is good enough. Either way you can do a clean install with it if you want. Doesn't help the OP though. There are no Digital River download links for Windows 8 and Microsoft isn't offering up the ISO's either. The best you can do is likely download one off of bit-torrent and verify the MD5 against what Microsoft says it should be.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Hello all. Just to inject as informational > I bought my OEM 8 Pro via Newegg back in February. I just live chatted with MS online store. They said it does not show stand-alone versions as of yet and cannot order online, however, they do carry stand-alone editions via telephone. Microsoft Store Sales and Customer Support: 1-877-696-7786
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
By "stand alone," are you referring to Win8 system-builder software or Win8 full-install retail software (or something else)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I know they stated regular and Pro stand alone editions, both 32 & 64 bit, but didn't clarify if they were system builders. I live chatted with them online. They give the option of emailing the conversations of which I filled out my email address to do so, but I must not have pressed the send button for I didn't get the email. Ugh! Live chat is not working right now. I'll have to redo when I get time and they're open to ask more questions to be sure. I don't want to mislead anyone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
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