Install Win 8.1 Pro from new pc loaded with XP

Rockabilly

New Member
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I bought a new Dell desktop computer for work through IT department where I work.
The system I bought came with Windows 8.1 Pro preinstalled, however since the company is still using Windows XP the technician just installed XP over the 8.1 pro.

I would like to know if I can use this copy of Windows 8.1 Pro to install on my home computer since I know my IT department will never use Win 8 and we paid for that copy.
If I can do that, how would I go if I don't have the Installation DVD and the product key. The tech says that it did not come with an installation DVD since the Windows 8.1 Pro was pre-loaded on the computer! Is that even possible, and how can I retrieve the product key of Windows 8.1 Pro. I read that the product key is embedded in the BIOS but how if they put XP over it? When I run Belarc, it only gives me the product key for XP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win XP
If the machine is limited to work use why must you pay for it? If not, then why is it not possible to install XP as dual boot? Whoever the IT guy is, if he has a supervisor I'd talk it over with him. Sounds like the guy could just be doing what takes the least amount of work.

I would inquire exactly what the conditions of this purchase are. Presumably they give you a discount since you can then do some work at home? I wouldn't just take the technician at his word. Talk to someone who may be willing to help you. If nothing else, putting an unsupported OS on the machine without W8 is leaving you in the cold if the PC has a problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
All computers at work have to be ordered through IT dept since they have to install Novell on it. I am sure that IT will never support Windows 8.1 Pro, so I just want to know if I can get a hold of this license to put it in my home computer for personal use. I mean... what a waste of a license if nobody will use it. But my question is: Is this legit? and if yes, how can I retrieve the product key if IT installed XP over pre-loaded 8.1 Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win XP
I think that the OEM version of Windows 8.1 on the PC is tied to that computer, and you can't transfer that licence to another computer.

Also, it's possible that the XP version is 'using' the 8.1 licence through downgrade rights (although I'm not sure you can get from Windows 8.1 back down to XP)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
All computers at work have to be ordered through IT dept since they have to install Novell on it. I am sure that IT will never support Windows 8.1 Pro, so I just want to know if I can get a hold of this license to put it in my home computer for personal use. I mean... what a waste of a license if nobody will use it. But my question is: Is this legit? and if yes, how can I retrieve the product key if IT installed XP over pre-loaded 8.1 Pro.

No it's not legit. OEM keys are tied to the machine it is installed on - the only legit way to obtaining Windows 8 from your company is if they sell the machine to you
I suspect this is the main reason M$ switched from the COA sticker to embedded bios keys, as anybody could go from desk to desk and copy the keys... using your argument that they will never be used as those Windows 7 machines were SLP activated anyway.
 

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 think that the OEM version of Windows 8.1 on the PC is tied to that computer, and you can't transfer that licence to another computer.

Also, it's possible that the XP version is 'using' the 8.1 licence through downgrade rights (although I'm not sure you can get from Windows 8.1 back down to XP)

Can I call Microsoft and ask to transfer the license to another computer?
I know for sure they did not use the 8.1 product key to downgrade to XP. They use a mirror image of XP with all the necessary apps on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win XP
As stated by Superfly, an OEM key is only good on the original computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 700-074
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4430 @ 3.00 GHz
    Motherboard
    MS-7826 (Kaili)
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 740
    Sound Card
    Integrated IDT 92HD68E2 Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S27C230B
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    240 GB Kingston SSDNow V300 Series
    PSU
    stock
    Case
    stock
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Browser
    Fire Fox
    Antivirus
    Eset Smart Security 7
As stated by Superfly, an OEM key is only good on the original computer.

I'm not quite getting it. What PC was purchased by the OP? Is it the "home computer?" If it is then that would be the "same machine" the OEM license is for. Something doesn't make sense.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
As stated by Superfly, an OEM key is only good on the original computer.

I'm not quite getting it. What PC was purchased by the OP? Is it the "home computer?" If it is then that would be the "same machine" the OEM license is for. Something doesn't make sense.

The way I read it, his employer bought him a new desktop PC which came with 8.1. The IT department then put XP on it. He or she now wants to install the now unused 8.1 Pro on their home PC, also a desktop PC. As the original install is almost certainly an OEM install its not allowed. He said "I bought" but I think the company actually paid for it.
 

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
Reading it over it seems he bought a new PC for work. It had W8. The tech put XP on overwriting W8. The OP has a PC at home. Instead of "wasting" the W8 he wants to install W8 on the home PC.

Seems like the solution, if his home PC has XP, is to buy a new PC at work, leave the W8 on it. Bring the home PC to work, and run the existing XP on that after installing any required programs like MS Word or whatever. :) Then bring the new PC home.

Ok, I'm kidding. But it would probably be easier to do it that way. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
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