My Windows 8.1 is not genuine - how to back up everything?

BlueLightAlarm

New Member
Messages
4
Hi, I'm in a bit of a pickle and I'm wondering if anyone here can give me some advice?

Just over a month ago I bought a laptop from a local shop that came with Windows 8.1 installed. I've spent the time since then installing programs, copying all my files over and most importantly tweaking a lot of things to get everything looking and working just how I want it to.

I'm really happy with it now but last week I found out that the shop I bought it from had closed down and the man running it has been arrested for supplying & installing counterfeit software (among other things). I didn't get any sort of documentation or discs with the laptop and there is a Windows sticker on the bottom but all the writing is sort of faded/rubbed off so I'm pretty sure that the copy of Windows on my system is dodgy.

I've ordered a legal copy of Windows 8.1 from Amazon but I really don't want to start from scratch and install everything all over again - I can't even remember exactly what settings and tweaks I have implemented on the system so it wouldn't be an easy task at all to get it back to its current state.

Is there any way that I can just copy my files, installed programs, settings etc. so that when I get the genuine Windows 8.1 and install it, I can just restore the backup and have everything exactly as it is now?

Thanks
Jamie :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Control Panel\System and Security\System bottom right corner "change Product Key" I believe this is all you'll need to do.
Otherwise back up your data and clean Install and reconfigure
 

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
Control Panel\System and Security\System bottom right corner "change Product Key" I believe this is all you'll need to do.
Otherwise back up your data and clean Install and reconfigure

That may or may not work, depending on what edition is installed. If it's Core you'll have to enter a Core key, Pro a pro key. If it's Enterprise it likely won't accept a regular Core or Pro key. It's a good idea and would greatly simplify things if it worked but it has pitfalls. The other thing I'd worry about is how or if its been hacked/modified to cheat activation. If it was me I'd be seriously considering doing a clean install just to make sure my system was clean and secure.
 
Last edited:

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
@ BlueLightAlarm, open the system page and see what version is installed and if its activated. Press the Windows Logo Key and the pause/break key, then look under Windows edition. Also Can you tell what version of Windows the COA sticker is for?. The OEM applied Windows 8 COA stickers don't have a product code on them, all they have is Windows 8 Logo.
 

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
Thanks for the replies guys! I think the sticker is for Windows 7 - I can just about make out some of the lettering and there's deffo a '7' there.

@alphanumeric - You raise a good point about what's been added to cheat activation - I may just do a clean install to be 100% sure it's all OK. Is there any way I can backup all my documents, files, programs etc. or will I just have to go through all my folders and copy all files to my USB HDD then re-install all the programs?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Use backup software like Macrium Reflect (Free) to backup your files. Note that backing up your programs will do no good in this case if you are doing a Clean install, they will have to be reinstalled.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thanks.

One thing I forgot to ask - is there a way to backup my drivers? I've re-installed earlier versions of Windows in the past and have always had problems with finding the right drivers so it'd be easier if I could just back them all up now
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Not a good idea to even try unless you want some little yellow flags. There are some programs out there but they are not reliable for the most part.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thanks for the replies guys! I think the sticker is for Windows 7 - I can just about make out some of the lettering and there's deffo a '7' there.

@alphanumeric - You raise a good point about what's been added to cheat activation - I may just do a clean install to be 100% sure it's all OK. Is there any way I can backup all my documents, files, programs etc. or will I just have to go through all my folders and copy all files to my USB HDD then re-install all the programs?

C:\Users\(your user name) will be where your user folders are. Documents, Pictures, Music etc. You can just copy those folders to external media to backup most of your files. If your logged in with a Live ID and haven't turned off the OneDrive SYNC your PC settings will be backed up online. Charms Bar > Settings > Change PC Settings > OneDrive > Sync Settings. Depending on whats enebled it will save your IE favorites and passwords. Installed Apps, Start Screen etc. You can pick and chose what to sync or not. Otherwise you'll want to export your IE favorites and cookies, and maybe export your Outlook PST file if that's what you use for e-mail.


Did you have a look at your system screen to see what's installed and if its activated? I'm just curious.
 

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
Did you have a look at your system screen to see what's installed and if its activated? I'm just curious.
I just looked and it says Windows 8.1 Pro then at the bottom it says "Windows is activated" and there's a Product ID number
If it's flagged as "Non Genuine" but it's showing Activated status then most certainly is badly cracked Windows. I don't know if it's still like that but MS was rewarding "whistle blowers" by giving away or selling genuine license in case you provide where you got it from.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I don't see the Blue Genuine Logo on the system page, do they even do that anymore for Windows 8? My system is as legal as it gets with a valid TechNet key. All I see is the blue "Change product key". All versions of Windows 8 activate online now, even the factory OEM installs. In the past the factory OEM installs activated against the SLIC table in the BIOS. They didn't activate online and Microsoft couldn't block it. I do believe that's why (or at least one of the reasons for) the WGA check. If it failed that check they could block updates and free upgrades. Now they can kill activation on any PC they want by blocking the Product code. I'm speaking factory OEM and Retail here, not corporate Enterprise versions, that's a different setup.

Anyway I do believe the OP believes his system "may" be illegal but hasn't actually gotten any warning message telling him or her that. They are just being proactive instead of waiting for the you know what to hit the fan.
 

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
Did you have a look at your system screen to see what's installed and if its activated? I'm just curious.
I just looked and it says Windows 8.1 Pro then at the bottom it says "Windows is activated" and there's a Product ID number

OK, if had said Windows 8.1 Enterprise, that would have been a big red flag. If the "Windows is activated" section had been blank or said "for x number of days" that would have been another hint things aren't what they should be. It looks like your legal. The question is, for how long though. I'm not sure how you tell if it's been VL activated with a KMS key. Your going to wipe it and reinstall anyway so it really doesn't matter I guess.
 

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
I would suggest using "Read write everything" to check whether there is a valid OEM embedded key (MSDM key )is present in the BIOS.

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS | Next of Windows

If there is a key present, i don't see any reason for someone to wipe out the genuine Windows and then install a pirated copy (the MSDM key won't be present on systems which came without Win8 pre-installed ).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Run this from cmd and lets see what they put on your system...

slmgr -dlv
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
In many places Windows is optional. There may be a test version that is not activated and some laptops even come with Linux on it. To get proper windows you have to pay more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I would suggest using "Read write everything" to check whether there is a valid OEM embedded key (MSDM key )is present in the BIOS.

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS | Next of Windows

If there is a key present, i don't see any reason for someone to wipe out the genuine Windows and then install a pirated copy (the MSDM key won't be present on systems which came without Win8 pre-installed ).


I wrote this script to retrieve the key.. can someone test if it works?
 

Attachments

  • OemKey.vbs
    459 bytes · Views: 95

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
I would suggest using "Read write everything" to check whether there is a valid OEM embedded key (MSDM key )is present in the BIOS.

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS | Next of Windows

If there is a key present, i don't see any reason for someone to wipe out the genuine Windows and then install a pirated copy (the MSDM key won't be present on systems which came without Win8 pre-installed ).


I wrote this script to retrieve the key.. can someone test if it works?

Worked OK on my laptop, it pulled the OEM key and not the MC key that is in use.
 

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
I do believe the OP said it had a Windows 7 COA sticker on it. If so it likely doesn't have a Windows 8 OEM key embedded. It won't hurt to double check though.
 

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
I would suggest using "Read write everything" to check whether there is a valid OEM embedded key (MSDM key )is present in the BIOS.

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS | Next of Windows

If there is a key present, i don't see any reason for someone to wipe out the genuine Windows and then install a pirated copy (the MSDM key won't be present on systems which came without Win8 pre-installed ).


I wrote this script to retrieve the key.. can someone test if it works?

Worked OK on my laptop, it pulled the OEM key and not the MC key that is in use.

Thanx for the feedback ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
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