Solved Fresh Install Windows 8.1 using Windows 8 OEM Key

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wilks3y

New Member
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Hello there,

I've been searching around these forums, and google alike, for a concrete answer to this issue. However there is so much conflicting evidence I just don't know what to do.

So here is my issue:

I have an Asus X550CA laptop that came with Windows 8 Pre-installed and uses the built in Windows key. I upgraded to Windows 8.1 but I'm having issues with the laptop now.

Upgrading to 8.1 has somehow removed/deleted all recovery partitions or built in recovery functions so I cannot Factory Restore.

Does anyone know of a way, in which I can "FRESH INSTALL" Windows 8.1 and get it to Installed/Activate using my built-in OEM code?

Thanks in advance
I'm more than happy to provide any more information than needed. I appreciate your time.

Regards,
Alex.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

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.
I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think the 8.1 images were only ever distributed to OEMs, so you'd have to install 8 and then the 8.1 update after all the prerequisite updates have been installed. Assuming there was an 8.1 ISO of some sort made generally available via legal means, it would probably be on the Digital River site. Of course according to this site: How to Download Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 Installation Media ? Legally Both 8 and 8.1 have different product keys, so you wouldn't be able to go to 8.1 direct. They are very unambiguous about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
genet said:
Will this work? Asus Backtracker

If not then this: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
Click to expand...

Hey, I can't believe you replied :D

The ASUS BackTracker, for some reason, doesn't support my laptop. This laptop is the worse purchase I've made technology wise and has completely put me off ASUS products (laptops anyway) for life.

I actually have that link bookmarked ready for when I get home to give it a try. I've already made the USB stick ready so thanks for your guide and I'll let you know how I get on. So big thanks to you for the guide, and I'm praying that it works for me :)

asvent said:
I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think the 8.1 images were only ever distributed to OEMs, so you'd have to install 8 and then the 8.1 update after all the prerequisite updates have been installed. Assuming there was an 8.1 ISO of some sort made generally available via legal means, it would probably be on the Digital River site. Of course according to this site: How to Download Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 Installation Media ? Legally Both 8 and 8.1 have different product keys, so you wouldn't be able to go to 8.1 direct. They are very unambiguous about it.
Click to expand...

The issue is, I seriously don't want to go back to 8 and then update to 8.1 through the store as this is what caused all my issues. The reason I want to do this, is that my "Disk" sits at 100% constantly and the laptop is so sluggish because of this. I've tried many tips and tricks, and also upgraded the RAM (Whilst I know this wont help disk I hoped it would make the laptop more responsive) but the Disk 100% issue just ruins the laptop.

This ONLY HAPPENED once I'd upgraded to 8.1 through the store. So I was hoping a fresh install of 8.1 may help.

Thanks to both of you for your reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
wilks3y said:
genet said:
Will this work? Asus Backtracker

If not then this: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
Click to expand...

Hey, I can't believe you replied :D





The ASUS BackTracker, for some reason, doesn't support my laptop. This laptop is the worse purchase I've made technology wise and has completely put me off ASUS products (laptops anyway) for life.

I actually have that link bookmarked ready for when I get home to give it a try. I've already made the USB stick ready so thanks for your guide and I'll let you know how I get on. So big thanks to you for the guide, and I'm praying that it works for me :)

asvent said:
I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think the 8.1 images were only ever distributed to OEMs, so you'd have to install 8 and then the 8.1 update after all the prerequisite updates have been installed. Assuming there was an 8.1 ISO of some sort made generally available via legal means, it would probably be on the Digital River site. Of course according to this site: How to Download Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 Installation Media ? Legally Both 8 and 8.1 have different product keys, so you wouldn't be able to go to 8.1 direct. They are very unambiguous about it.
Click to expand...

The issue is, I seriously don't want to go back to 8 and then update to 8.1 through the store as this is what caused all my issues. The reason I want to do this, is that my "Disk" sits at 100% constantly and the laptop is so sluggish because of this. I've tried many tips and tricks, and also upgraded the RAM (Whilst I know this wont help disk I hoped it would make the laptop more responsive) but the Disk 100% issue just ruins the laptop.

This ONLY HAPPENED once I'd upgraded to 8.1 through the store. So I was hoping a fresh install of 8.1 may help.

Thanks to both of you for your reply.
Click to expand...

You can clean install 8.1 and activate it with an 8.0 key. http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html No need to install 8.0 and upgrade to 8.1. Assuming you can get an ISO. 8.1 ISO's are available on MSDN for subscription holders, and in the wild if you know where to look.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html
 

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 have a HP laptop and I have done this, I would reset your laptop to factory settings and it will revert to Windows 8, you will have to install the 8.1 update (Windows 9) when you have reset your pc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 (Will go to 10)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15-n090sa
    CPU
    AMD A8-4555M APU
    Motherboard
    Hewlett Packard 216B
    Memory
    8Gb (2x4Gb) DDR3 @ 1366Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7600G 768Mb @ 668Mhz
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Smart Touch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    1TB 2.5" HDD
    PSU
    HP Battery..
    Case
    HP Pavilion 15, 15" Silver Shell
    Cooling
    2 Noisy Fans
    Keyboard
    GB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dual Button Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1Mbps Down 100Kbps Up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows FireWall
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