Install Windows 8.1 upgrade (not OEM) on New Computer

wdrspens

New Member
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7
I installed Windows 8 Pro on my now defunct computer way back when it was first released by downloading the files and saving them to hard disk before upgrading from Windows 7 Pro. I then upgraded to 8.1 and now 8.1 Upgrade, but that computer crashed badly. I have removed the hard discs and disposed of the computer.
I am in the process of buying a new computer and want to install Windows 8.1 upgrade onto it, on a Solid State Drive.
I can copy or clone the original "C" drive from the defunct computer onto the SSD, but, of course, none of the other specs would be the same. (I am taking advantage of the disaster to upgrade my specification. - A better CPU, and a better motherboard with more SATA and USB3 connections and, above all, a greater memory capacity of 8MB RAM, - the defunct computer only had SATA and USB2 connections with only 3MB Ram).
Will a clone of the "C" drive work to give me Windows 8.1 upgrade on the new computer?
If not, how can I transfer the licence from the defunct computer (I cannot get into it now, although I can get into the "C" Hard Drive)?
I have the original download of Windows 8 from Microsoft available on the hard drive, although I do not think in a bootable format, just as a file on the harddrive. I can, however, install Windows 7 as I have my Windows 7 CD.
Any suggestions about how I can transfer my licence and install Windows 8.1 Pro Upgrade would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Well Macrium Reflect has a deploy to different hardware Feature however you would need the paid for version to accomplish this. Another issue you might run into is whether your current hard drive is set up UEFI GPT and surly your new computer will be!! you will want to keep it UEFI GPT so that will require a reinstall as you can not convert a MBR disk With an OS on it to GPT.
If both systems are UEFI and all your hardware is win 8 or 8.11 compliant you should be able to clone and deploy to different hard ware.

For a clean install you'll need a 8.11 pro ISO or at least a 8.1 pro That 8 install you have if it is a .wim it can be used to create a 8 instal Just search it in the forum. Otherwise any win 8.1 Pro DVD or ISO you can get your hands on will work. You'll need a generic Key to get the installation started and then after install Validate with your 8 pro License Key. Just google for the leaked generic Install key's
I have these they were for the RTM 8.1 release I'm not sure they are still good. Just install the version you have and you will have to Activate with your win 8 or 8.1 License Key

Windows 8.1 Single Language Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
Windows 8.1 Core 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Thank you for your response, but I do not understand all of it.
I have only paid for versions - I do not use OEM or, worse still, pirated versions. I have paid for my version in full, but can no longer use it.
Why would I want to keep my new computer hard drive to UEFI GPT? It does not have a hard drive, but I am re-installing all my old hard drives (all SATA) which are MBR and I will keep them as MBR. Can I clone and deploy if they remain MBR?
If I cannot clone, can I borrow an 8.1 Pro DVD from someone else and use my Activation Key?
Many thanks for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thank you for your response, but I do not understand all of it.
I have only paid for versions - I do not use OEM or, worse still, pirated versions. I have paid for my version in full, but can no longer use it.
Why would I want to keep my new computer hard drive to UEFI GPT? It does not have a hard drive, but I am re-installing all my old hard drives (all SATA) which are MBR and I will keep them as MBR. Can I clone and deploy if they remain MBR?
If I cannot clone, can I borrow an 8.1 Pro DVD from someone else and use my Activation Key?
Many thanks for your help.
I don't see any reason you can't move your hard drives over if there are no hard drives in your new computer. You would need to get into the BIOS/UEFI interface and Disable Secure Boot and enable CSM. I think I would image your current OS hard drive. Just incase it can't make it with a straight up transfer, OS's and different hardware could prevent it from booting. In that case you would use software that can restore/Deploy to different hardware.
Generic Key are not for pirated software they will not activate you have to have a Windows 8 key to activate window after the install, this is just some stupid crap that MS has put on us I guess they expect us to purchase a new version of window every time we need to change out a harddrive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Thank you very much for those useful links. There is a lot of extensive reading ahead of me to get my head around all that is said, but I appreciate your help.
David
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
With your new PC:


  1. Connect your old Windows 8 Hard Drive and set the BIOS to legacy MBR.
  2. Connect the internet cable to it so that Windows can download and install the drivers for your new hardware.
  3. Boot it up. Windows 8 is smart enough to re-configure itself to run with your new hardware.
  4. Call MS to re-activate your Windows 8.

Once you have this done, you can download Advanced Tokens Manager and save your activation info so if you wish to re-install a fresh copy of Window 8/8.1 using UEFI, you can use it to re-activate without calling MS again.

NOTE: Don't forget to backup your data first

Hope this help !!!
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
edit:

Windows 8 license transfer a new Windows 8.1 computer. -> link
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
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