Upgrade from W8 to 8.1

[Giga Hawk]

I used BurnCDCC from Terabyte to burn 8.1 to DVD.

With Windows 8.0 running, I slipped the DVD into the drive and was promptly asked for a product key. Since this is a new HP computer and came with Windows 8.0 installed, I backed out. I don't want to waste my key on what should be a free upgrade.

I normally build all my computers, but this time I decided to just go the cheaper way out and get an HP 500-056 with 8 gigs of RAM and a 1 TB HDD, etc. 23" monitor and everything else is from the old build(s).

I may look at things again tomorrow, but maybe not. Looks like I still have some studying to do.

It is supposedly a free update. So, here's the solution that worked for me:

1) Downloaded the ISO and started the setup in Windows
2) Entered *any* 8.1 key that suited my version (in my case Pro, not Core)
3) After the update (it took about 25 minutes), I got: not activated
4) Used slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX to enter my 8.0 key
5) rebooted and it was activated



This is a solution for my particular situation. I have a Windows 8 Core key in the BIOS but am using Windows 8 Pro with a legitimate, genuine Dreamspark key. I do not know why the installation behaviour is a such since it is a free update and shouldn't ask for a key.

Yours is presumably different because you will use the BIOS installed key. Perhaps you could post an update with your solution if you have found one that works.

 

[Wynona]

So far, I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I think someone mentioned that on the thread below, but d--n if I could find it. It is quite extensive.

www.eightforums.com/showthread.php?t=31019

 

[brummyfan]

I think someone mentioned that on the thread below, but d--n if I could find it. It is quite extensive.

Windows 8.1 RTM Released to MSDN & Technet

Hi Tony, are you looking for post 72 to 76?

 

[DavidY]

I do not know why the installation behaviour is a such since it is a free update and shouldn't ask for a key.

I think it's because the official route to that free update for consumers will be through the Windows Store, available when 8.1 is released in October.

The ISOs issued to MSDN/Technet folk and leaked elsewhere over the web are described as being for testing purposes.

 

[NiFu]

I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

Run RWeverything (portable version, runs even from USB stick). Button "ACPI", register card "MSDM".

 

[alphanumeric]

Upgrades though the store are free and as far as I know won't ask for a product code. I've done two clean installs with the ISO. The ISO wants a Windows 8.1 key to install, it will not accept a Windows 8 key during install. The first post in this thread has 8.1 installation keys you can use. http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...1-rtm-core-pro-enterprise-x86-x64-leaked.html Those keys listed will let you install but they will not activate. On my laptop the ISO wouldn't use the embedded 8 key to install so I just used on of my TechNet 8.1 keys to install and activate. I was in a hurry and didn't feel like mucking around. On my desktop I used one of the leaked install keys to install. Then I just clicked activate Windows and change product key. Then I typed in a Windows 8 key that was previously used on that PC. It was accepted and Windows activated with it. The ISO will let you activate with a Windows 8 key it just won't let you install with one. Not on a clean install anyway. I have no idea why Microsoft did it this way?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I think someone mentioned that on the thread below, but d--n if I could find it. It is quite extensive.

Windows 8.1 RTM Released to MSDN & Technet

Hi Tony, are you looking for post 72 to 76?

That would be them. Thanks so much. Hopefully that will help Wynona.

 

[brummyfan]

I think someone mentioned that on the thread below, but d--n if I could find it. It is quite extensive.

Windows 8.1 RTM Released to MSDN & Technet

Hi Tony, are you looking for post 72 to 76?

That would be them. Thanks so much. Hopefully that will help Wynona.

My pleasure, you are most welcome.

 

[alphanumeric]

RWeverything got me mine. The script will work too if you haven't added features like going to Pro or adding Media Center. The script I ran just got me my Media Center key, it reads the currently being used key not the embedded key.

 

[Wynona]

So far, I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

OK, I used Belarc Advisor to get the key. Problem is that it must be asking for the PK for 8.1 and not 8.0. So, as someone else mentioned, it looks like I'll have to wait for the "official" 8.1 upgrade due out October 18. Sigh . . .

 

[Wynona]

If you upgrade though the Windows store you keep everything. At least that's the way it was when I tried the preview. Microsoft would prefer that everyone upgraded though the Windows store. The average Joe isn't going to have an ISO. I've only done clean installs so I can't comment on what gets saved or lost if you do an upgrade from the ISO.

Preview is long gone, and the "official" 8.1 isn't there yet. So, I wait . . . and wait . . . and wait . . .

 

[DavidY]

Preview is long gone, and the "official" 8.1 isn't there yet.

I don't understand that either.

However if you really wanted to try the 8.1 preview, you could still download the ISO version - Option Two in this tutorial.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

 

[Wynona]

Thanks, David, but after reading, it seems that if I install 8.1 preview, and then 8.1 final, I'll lose everything but my files, which I already keep on an external hard drive.

Quite frankly, I keep so many programs on my computer that installing them once on this new one is more than I want to do. I don't want to have to reinstall a gazillion programs more than once!

I'm going back to read again, just so I'll be sure of what I think I know. OK, I've read the warnings, and it seems I read correctly the first time, so I'll just wait until October 18.

 

[David Bailey]

product key

So far, I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

To get your Product Key run this vbs script:

View attachment ShowKey.vbs

EDIT---

You will get a popup with your ID & Product Key:

 

[alphanumeric]

So far, I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

OK, I used Belarc Advisor to get the key. Problem is that it must be asking for the PK for 8.1 and not 8.0. So, as someone else mentioned, it looks like I'll have to wait for the "official" 8.1 upgrade due out October 18. Sigh . . .

These keys will let you install 8.1 RTM, it won't accept Windows 8 keys for the install.
Windows 8 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8 PRO: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
They've already been posted in another thread and you can't activate with them so don't flame me for posting them.
Once you've got it installed you can use your Windows 8 key to activate. I just clicked activate now and I got a change product key option.
Another way to do it is Product Key Number - Change in Windows 8

 

[NiFu]

To get your Product Key run this vbs script:

The script will work too if you haven't added features like going to Pro or adding Media Center. The script I ran just got me my Media Center key, it reads the currently being used key not the embedded key.

All the key reader and scripts read the key from registry. And if you have installed Windows 7 on a Windows 8 OEM notebook you don't get the Windows 8 key. Only "RWeverything" reads the key from BIOS - even if you have installed Windows 7.

but after reading, it seems that if I install 8.1 preview, and then 8.1 final, I'll lose everything but my files

Says Microsoft. But that's not the truth. See this post.

 

[Wynona]

So far, I've been unable to get the product key out of my computer. It's supposed to be embedded in the BIOS, but I can't find it.

To get your Product Key run this vbs script:

You will get a popup with your ID & Product Key:

Thanks again, David. As you've probably seen by now, I got the key with Belarc Advisor; however, your VB script worked too.

BTW, I stupidly installed Magical Jelly Bean and wound up with my home page and search engine hijacked. When will I ever learn?