Solved How to Upgrade from 8.1 Retail to 8.1 OEM?

FritzCT

New Member
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Reverse Upgrade from OEM 8.1 to Retail 8.1

So I have a copy of win 8.1 Pro 64 bit OEM. I wanted to add Media Centre to this so after following lots of links (from Add features) I managed to download and install what I thought was the stand alone Media Centre. It turns out it was not a stand alone but in fact "upgraded" my OS to Win 8.1 Pro with Media Centre (a retail version). Now I don't have a licence for retail, only OEM and my PC now has this new OS (Build 9600) on it that I can't activate.

I've thought of restoring but I no longer have any restore points back to when the OEM version was there.

What I'm hoping I can do is use my OEM cd to "upgrade" back but I don't have the faintest idea if or how I can do that.

If all else fails I do have a very old image of my PC (as in day one after the original build back in May of this year) but I'm not even very sure how to use that.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Fritz

EDIT: Just to clarify. I used a generic code to download what I thought was a stand alone Media Centre app but it wasn't. It was a generic code for Win 8.1 Pro with Media Centre (Retail) which I now cannot activate so I want to go back to my OEM copy
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
you have to upgrade to retail professional, then to wmc
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-4460, 3400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-H81M-H
    Memory
    2x4GB DDR3 1600Mhz Kingston
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 750
    Sound Card
    Onboard Sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 23" 1080p HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKX-00ERMA0 (500 GB)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 750w toughpower
Hi, thanks for the reply. I think my title might be a little misleading. I don't want to have to buy a new licence just to get Media Centre. what I'm trying to do is somehow roll back to the OEM version without having to resort to a clean install (or a restore from the image I have).

When this "upgrade" happened it wasn't like installing a new OS. None of my programs etc were affected, no re-installation of any thing. Is was like a windows update really and I'm hoping it can be reversed in the same way.

Fritz
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
In control panel click on System, and the bottom of the window, does the Product ID have OEM in it.


If so you are still OEM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Winodws
No it doesn't. I know I'm in retail because I spoke to MS support and they told me what had happened. They looked for a restore point, couldn't find one (I had already looked) and said simplest way back is to re-install. I'm just hoping there's another way back without me having to do a clean install
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
To add Media Center though Add Features you have to be running 8.x Pro. If you were running 8.x Core you cannot add Media Center. You can go from Core to Pro though Add Features by entering a valid Pro product code. No install media is needed. Once your upgraded to Pro you go to Add Features and enter your valid Media Center key. Again, no install media is needed.

EDIT: Removed some stuff that was already answered, just didn't see 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
No it doesn't. I know I'm in retail because I spoke to MS support and they told me what had happened. They looked for a restore point, couldn't find one (I had already looked) and said simplest way back is to re-install. I'm just hoping there's another way back without me having to do a clean install

There is no easy way to go back once you upgrade to Pro or add Media Center. Old restore points are deleted, likely because if you used one of them you would mess up your system.
 

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
This generic code you entered? Where did you enter it, in add features? If you open the System page does it show Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center?
 

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
This generic code you entered? Where did you enter it, in add features? If you open the System page does it show Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center?

Ok so I was using 8.1 Pro (OEM). If I remember correctly there was a link under Windows Edition in System (it doesn't seem to be there now though) that I followed. I then followed on screen prompts that eventually took me to an upgrade page. That's where I used the code. The system re-booted and it now says Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre, which MS support have told me is a retail version for which I would need to buy another key to activate. All links followed were direct from windows and then from MS page to MS page, no external links.

I'm not going to buy a new key just so I can have Media Centre so I'd like to go back to my OEM version, which I can activate.

Fritz
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
How about this---

screenshot_194.jpg
 

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
I'm not a techie, but having lived through some refreshes and restores recently, I thought the following might be of interest:

If it's OEM maybe you have a Recovery partition that you can restore back to. Or maybe you could Refresh (which I think uses that same Recovery partition if it exists, otherwise may work with your cd).

Problem is that whichever of these options you use, you will lose all programs you have installed since you first started, but with refresh at least you keep your files. Plus if your OEM was W8 it will take you back to W8 again.

If you have a system image that you made after you set up Windows as you wanted it that could avoid having to reinstall programs but you might still have to go through all the updates to W8.1.

Or you could have a look at this thread:

http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/56837-official-microsoft-iso-media-creation-tool.html

which will allow you to download a copy of W8.1 complete with updates to use as a fresh install. But again you wouldn't have all your additional programs and files.

Think you will probably have to choose which of these is the least painful and go for it :(.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
This generic code you entered? Where did you enter it, in add features? If you open the System page does it show Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center?

Ok so I was using 8.1 Pro (OEM). If I remember correctly there was a link under Windows Edition in System (it doesn't seem to be there now though) that I followed. I then followed on screen prompts that eventually took me to an upgrade page. That's where I used the code. The system re-booted and it now says Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre, which MS support have told me is a retail version for which I would need to buy another key to activate. All links followed were direct from windows and then from MS page to MS page, no external links.

I'm not going to buy a new key just so I can have Media Centre so I'd like to go back to my OEM version, which I can activate.

Fritz

Once you add Media Center the Add Features link goes away. There are no more features to add. Also, once you add Media Center, Windows activates with the Media Center key. That's your issue now, your Media Center key is blocked from activation. My guess is you used a key that was floating around for use with the preview builds. That key is now blacklisted by Microsoft. Do you have another Media Center key? If not your going to have to reinstall 8.1 Pro to get back to a legally activated system. You can't just uninstall Media Center either. You can turn it off in Windows features but that won't fix you activation issue.
 

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 help guys, feeling like such a dinlo right now.

This generic code you entered? Where did you enter it, in add features? If you open the System page does it show Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center?

Ok so I was using 8.1 Pro (OEM). If I remember correctly there was a link under Windows Edition in System (it doesn't seem to be there now though) that I followed. I then followed on screen prompts that eventually took me to an upgrade page. That's where I used the code. The system re-booted and it now says Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre, which MS support have told me is a retail version for which I would need to buy another key to activate. All links followed were direct from windows and then from MS page to MS page, no external links.

I'm not going to buy a new key just so I can have Media Centre so I'd like to go back to my OEM version, which I can activate.

Fritz

Once you add Media Center the Add Features link goes away. There are no more features to add. Also, once you add Media Center, Windows activates with the Media Center key. That's your issue now, your Media Center key is blocked from activation. My guess is you used a key that was floating around for use with the preview builds. That key is now blacklisted by Microsoft. Do you have another Media Center key? If not your going to have to reinstall 8.1 Pro to get back to a legally activated system. You can't just uninstall Media Center either. You can turn it off in Windows features but that won't fix you activation issue.

I think you have summarised my problem perfectly (the term preview absolutely rings a bell) and it sounds like the clean install/ restore from image might be my only option.

@saggymaggy, yes I'm, kind of hoping that there's still an image/ restore that I can access another way but it seems not.

Lesson learnt, don't play with things you don't really understand!!

If I go for the image restore what should I be saving/copyig before I do so?

Fritz
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
If I go for the image restore what should I be saving/copyig before I do so?

Fritz

I would suggest you copy all your libraries (docs, videos, pictures etc.) onto an external drive. If you do a refresh you will still have these but no harm in doing it just in case. And you won't have them if you do a restore, factory restore or fresh install.

Also export all your browser favourites. And try to get either a .exe for all the 3rd party programs you have installed, or know where to go to get these back.

Basically anything that wasn't there when you first got the machine may be lost depending on the method used. I tend to go for overkill and save things even if I may not lose them.

I did a refresh (well 2 actually), which sort of kept my Windows Store apps. They were listed in my Store account but I had to reinstall them. And I lost my history on them (I was playing solitaire daily challenges and lost everything I had done during the month).

If your system image is very old, you might not gain a lot from using that unless it does have the 3rd party programs you want to keep.

If you choose to refresh or recover, remember this will take you back to W8 if that was what you started with. There will then be well over 100 updates to install before you can move up to W8.1, plus a stack more afterwards. You can get challenges from trying to install all the updates in one go and it can take a few attempts (and several hours) to get through the process.

If I have to do this again, I will definitely be looking at the clean install from the link I posted before. It should remove a lot of the pain of getting back to where you are now.

On the positive side: it could be a good opportunity to do a clean-up of programs that seemed like a good idea :).

And there is a lot of helpful advice on the forum, including lots of tutorials that will give you a step by step guide to refreshing, restoring etc. I'm not very technical but the information on this forum has helped me work through a whole range of issues.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
I think this will work for Windows 8 also, I just don't know what you would enter, UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional
I'm pretty sure at least one forum member has tried it, but it will be a really old thread and hard to find. You need somebody with Core (I think) to look up what they have listed in their registry. All my PC's are running 8.1 Pro with MC so I can't help you with that. Just backup the registry key before you try editing it, if you decide to try it. What do you have for install media? You may have to download 8.1 Pro from here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
 

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 think this will work for Windows 8 also, I just don't know what you would enter, UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional
I'm pretty sure at least one forum member has tried it, but it will be a really old thread and hard to find.
This tutorial uses the same method to remove WMC from 8.1 Pro so should let you revert to non-pro also - http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/16077-media-center-remove-go-back-windows-8-pro.html
You need somebody with Core (I think) to look up what they have listed in their registry.
:ditto: - I don't have non-pro either unfortunately.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
No it doesn't. I know I'm in retail because I spoke to MS support and they told me what had happened. They looked for a restore point, couldn't find one (I had already looked) and said simplest way back is to re-install. I'm just hoping there's another way back without me having to do a clean install

There is no easy way to go back once you upgrade to Pro or add Media Center. Old restore points are deleted, likely because if you used one of them you would mess up your system.


That's why I love system images, Alpha... always dead easy to go back (assuming the image you restore is a good one - I have struck a bad one occasionally).


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
I think this will work for Windows 8 also, I just don't know what you would enter, UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional
I'm pretty sure at least one forum member has tried it, but it will be a really old thread and hard to find.
This tutorial uses the same method to remove WMC from 8.1 Pro so should let you revert to non-pro also - http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/16077-media-center-remove-go-back-windows-8-pro.html
You need somebody with Core (I think) to look up what they have listed in their registry.
:ditto: - I don't have non-pro either unfortunately.

I didn't think there was a tutorial on that or I would have looked, my bad. I do believe the OP has an 8.1 Pro key so that should work for him. I just wasn't sure if you had to change it to Pro or Core in the registry. Now we'll just wait and see what the OP actually does or did.
 

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 think this will work for Windows 8 also, I just don't know what you would enter, UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional
I'm pretty sure at least one forum member has tried it, but it will be a really old thread and hard to find.
This tutorial uses the same method to remove WMC from 8.1 Pro so should let you revert to non-pro also - http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/16077-media-center-remove-go-back-windows-8-pro.html
You need somebody with Core (I think) to look up what they have listed in their registry.
:ditto: - I don't have non-pro either unfortunately.


Ok so do I understand correctly that the 8forums 16077 link you have provided is to remove MC from win 8 Pro with MC and revert back to win 8 Pro. Because this sound like what I need to do albeit with 8.1 not 8. I don't own 8 and never have the original install on this PC was Win 8.1 Pro 64 bit OEM.

If so I assume I can just change the Product Name to Windows 8.1 Pro instead of Windows 8 Pro as in the tutorial?

I have the original install disk still so there's no need for me to create the install media.

Assuming I do this and it all goes wrong will I still be able to use my May restore image?

I guess you can guess what I'm thinking. Try to go back using the link posted and if that fails use my image.

Also many thanks for your help so far, it is very much appreciated.

fritz

EDIT: I have 83 Gb of 223 Gb available on my C drive. I think that's plenty but is that enough?

EDIT 2: The original install was Windows 8.1 Pro OEM so if anyone has that please can they tell me what their registry says
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7-2600K
    Motherboard
    ROG Maximums V Formula
    Memory
    8 Gb Hyper X
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 770 2 Gb
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