Solved How to install Windows 8.1 with 8.1 OEM key?

[theog]

how to download the said file.. cannot see a link.. pls do help.. kind of desperate..

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

Won't work with OEM keys.

The only legal download.

Is it OEM?

 

[blueselfie]

As Genet mentioned, if you can get hold of a Retail 8.1 ISO, it will automatically read you embedded OEM key from your BIOS and install the matching version. It's unfortunate but the other download you mentioned won't except OEM keys. The generic install keys are blocked for that download too. The ISO he listed is the official ISO what's available on TechNet and MSDN. You can't download from TechNet or MSDN without a subscription but you may be able to find it though other means. The SHA1 code will let you confirm that your ISO hasn't been altered.

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key, i only have a Chinese image that's working and installs fine (windows 8.1 pro is activated) but can't find an English version, any help possible?
I need it for restoring my PIPOW2 tablet which i messed up with a corrupt update from pipo.
The tablet has a preinstalled oem key as mentioned in the quote.
The reason i don't want the use the chn version is because not everything gets translated and that frustrates me

 

[alphanumeric]

As Genet mentioned, if you can get hold of a Retail 8.1 ISO, it will automatically read you embedded OEM key from your BIOS and install the matching version. It's unfortunate but the other download you mentioned won't except OEM keys. The generic install keys are blocked for that download too. The ISO he listed is the official ISO what's available on TechNet and MSDN. You can't download from TechNet or MSDN without a subscription but you may be able to find it though other means. The SHA1 code will let you confirm that your ISO hasn't been altered.

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key, i only have a Chinese image that's working and installs fine (windows 8.1 pro is activated) but can't find an English version, any help possible?
I need it for restoring my PIPOW2 tablet which i messed up with a corrupt update from pipo.
The tablet has a preinstalled oem key as mentioned in the quote.
The reason i don't want the use the chn version is because not everything gets translated and that frustrates me

It sounds like you need the Single Language ISO, not the regular Retail ISO. You'll have to hunt that up on your own. I don't have any links for that version.

 

[blueselfie]

As Genet mentioned, if you can get hold of a Retail 8.1 ISO, it will automatically read you embedded OEM key from your BIOS and install the matching version. It's unfortunate but the other download you mentioned won't except OEM keys. The generic install keys are blocked for that download too. The ISO he listed is the official ISO what's available on TechNet and MSDN. You can't download from TechNet or MSDN without a subscription but you may be able to find it though other means. The SHA1 code will let you confirm that your ISO hasn't been altered.

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key, i only have a Chinese image that's working and installs fine (windows 8.1 pro is activated) but can't find an English version, any help possible?
I need it for restoring my PIPOW2 tablet which i messed up with a corrupt update from pipo.
The tablet has a preinstalled oem key as mentioned in the quote.
The reason i don't want the use the chn version is because not everything gets translated and that frustrates me

It sounds like you need the Single Language ISO, not the regular Retail ISO. You'll have to hunt that up on your own. I don't have any links for that version.

Thanks, i'll keep searchin'.
You don't have any hints on filename?
btw. after installing that Chinese version i can install other language packs without problem, is this the same with those single language versions?

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key, i only have a Chinese image that's working and installs fine (windows 8.1 pro is activated) but can't find an English version, any help possible?
I need it for restoring my PIPOW2 tablet which i messed up with a corrupt update from pipo.
The tablet has a preinstalled oem key as mentioned in the quote.
The reason i don't want the use the chn version is because not everything gets translated and that frustrates me

It sounds like you need the Single Language ISO, not the regular Retail ISO. You'll have to hunt that up on your own. I don't have any links for that version.

Thanks, i'll keep searchin'.
You don't have any hints on filename?
btw. after installing that Chinese version i can install other language packs without problem, is this the same with those single language versions?

That ISO is not listed on MSDN so I have no idea what the file name is. Do a forum search for "single language" and you may get lucky. I think file names have been posted in other threads. I've never used that version but I assume language packs can be added.

 

[genet]

Here is info about Windows 8.1 Single Language: link

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key

Copy the EI.CFG file to the sources folder.

Take a look at this post: http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/52726-inserting-serial-number-iso.html#post421061

 

[blueselfie]

Here is info about Windows 8.1 Single Language: link

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key

Copy the EI.CFG file to the sources folder.

Take a look at this post: http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/52726-inserting-serial-number-iso.html#post421061

Thanks, it doesn't ask for the key, but windows isn't activated.

 

[alphanumeric]

Here is info about Windows 8.1 Single Language: link

I'm searching high and low but can't find a retail 8.1 pro image that installs without asking for the key

Copy the EI.CFG file to the sources folder.

Take a look at this post: http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/52726-inserting-serial-number-iso.html#post421061

Thanks, it doesn't ask for the key, but windows isn't activated.

It's using a generic key that will not activate. You're basically running in a trial mode. The ei.cfg just lets you skip entering a key during the install. At some point you will have to enter one and activate. Normally the key entered determines what version is installed, Core or Pro. The ei.cfg file tells windows what version to install, a side effect of that is you can then skip entering a key.

 

[kpeter]

The solution

Hey Guys

i spend many hours to get the windows oem key running with a clean Windows and didn't get it.
So i try a last chance and get the SIMPLEST of all solutions. (In the first moment i didn't belief it, that is could be so simple)

1. You have to download the same Windows Version as you currently have installed (ISO)
2. Download it to a folder
3. open that folder and mount the iso (right click, mount)
4. go to computer and start the windows 8.1 installation.
-> if not startet then open the disc and click on "setup.exe"
5. install the windows
6. finish

Well this solution operate well with a HP Pavilion. After the restart the windows is new installed and has no more preinstalled HP-Crap-Software.

Also the OEM-Key is automaticly inserted into the Windows, and you don't have to get the key from BIOS etc..


This is the simpelst solution and I could hope, that I could help you

regards
Kevin

 

[Ztruker]

Kevin, that's also how I upgraded Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Technical Preview. Works great!

 

[SnowGhost]

For those frustrated here, you might want to download the official 8.0 / 8.1 install and then retrieve your OEM key from the BIOS so you can simply key it in. Once you've managed to get a trial version of Windows installed and working, just run this script: https://github.com/christian-korneck/get_win8key#files to get your OEM code from the BIOS and activate Windows using this. It should work and you'll be 100% legit.

 

[alphanumeric]

For those frustrated here, you might want to download the official 8.0 / 8.1 install and then retrieve your OEM key from the BIOS so you can simply key it in. Once you've managed to get a trial version of Windows installed and working, just run this script: https://github.com/christian-korneck/get_win8key#files to get your OEM code from the BIOS and activate Windows using this. It should work and you'll be 100% legit.

You shouldn't need to do that. The new download with the Media Creation Tool, will install and activate with Windows 8.0 product codes and 8.1 Product Codes. Even embedded OEM codes. If you have an OEM key and your still being prompted to enter a key, it means you didn't install the correct version. The embedded key is specific to the version, Core, Pro, or the Single Language version. If you install the wrong version your OEM key will not work anyway.

I see what your saying though. The old download would not install with an 8.0 Code, you had to install with a generic 8.1 code and then activate with your OEM 8.0 key. That meant pulling it out of the BIOS with a script etc.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html

 

[tupham]

MCSE You need to articulate what you asking us better and cut the jibber jabber.

For starters, to install Windows using it's embedded OEM license, you need to use Install Media specifically targeted for OEM Licensed hardware. Microsoft don't distribute this media to end users, as it is meant for OEMs, who would usually provide their own branded and customised recovery media instead.

You also must actually buy (for $0) the Windows 8.1 upgrade from the Windows Store to license your machine that has the OEM license.

 

[alphanumeric]

MCSE You need to articulate what you asking us better and cut the jibber jabber.

For starters, to install Windows using it's embedded OEM license, you need to use Install Media specifically targeted for OEM Licensed hardware. Microsoft don't distribute this media to end users, as it is meant for OEMs, who would usually provide their own branded and customised recovery media instead.

You also must actually buy (for $0) the Windows 8.1 upgrade from the Windows Store to license your machine that has the OEM license.

Old thread for starters, that is marked solved. And what you posted is not true at all. My MSDN ISO's which are identical to Retail DVD's will read and use OEM embedded keys. My 8.1 ISO's will even use 8.0 keys. Same deal if you download your install media from here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help That media will install and activate with 8.0 and 8.1 keys, even OEM embedded keys. No need to install 8.0 and upgrade to 8.1. It will read the key out of the BIOS automatically. I have verified it myself. I know for a fact it works.

For Windows 7 PC's, yes, you need custom branded OEM media to do the factory OEM-SLP install, not so for Windows 8/8.1 though. Window 10 will likely be the same. Universal install media.

 

[bilal546]

Hi.
I got my hp laptop with preinstalled OEM windows 8 (multi language) but now when I put the key embedded in bios to download windows 8 through media creation tool it says "this key can not be used for the retail download".
Actually the mess is that I accidently formatted my harddrive and installed some pirated pro version of windows 8 but now I come to know that my key is in bios and I can reinstal original windows 8 using it so I download media creation tool for "windows 8" not for windows 8.1 bcz laptop came with win8 not win8.1 but it give me this error after putting the original key into media creation tool. Kindly help
Is it possible to instal original windows 8 using this original key . ?

 

[genet]

Is it possible to instal original windows 8 using this original key?

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

 

[bilal546]

I have downloaded the .iso file for windows 8.1 now kindly tell me how to put it in Usb (not in dvd bcz laptop has no dvd drive )

 

[alphanumeric]

If you run showkey, Showkey - Windows 10 Forums It should tell you what version of Windows 8 came preinstalled on your PC. It doesn't matter what version is installed, it will read the OEM key and tell you what version of 8 or 8.1 its tied to. Then hunt up that version and install it. You can install the matching 8.1 version and skip installing 8.0. 8.1 install media will use 8.0 keys. You can get install media here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

 

[alphanumeric]

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

 

[hbm619]

Asalaam o alaikum.
Friends i want to ask a question , Can I install the windows 7 with Oem key and upgrade it to windows 8/8.1 or 10 for free ?
If yes then where do I find the installation media for windows 7?
Did windows 8/8.1 media creation .iso will accept the Oem key of Windows 7 ?