how can i perform a fresh install of windows 8.1?

gopsssty

New Member
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3
i already have the 8.1 ISO, but i have done the fresh install yet as you need a 8.1 product key. however, i have seen other people who have done a fresh install of 8.1 without using a product key. i just thought this site could help me.
thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Preview
i have seen other people who have done a fresh install of 8.1 without using a product key.

Can you give us an example (eg, link to) any examples of how that was done? I had to use two keys. One generic key for the downloaded ISO (to do the actual installation) and then my legitimate Win 8 Pro product key to activate the installation after completion. So, going from two keys down to no keys would be a really cool process to understand:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Download the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO using the WindowsSetupBox.exe from Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help. Use the "Trick" to get the Windows 8 Pro Product Key to be accepted by the Windows 8.1 installer.

I found that the Windows 7 platform works every time, whether a real or virtual Windows 7 Machine (tested with 7 Home Premium 64 (real) and 7 Enterprise 32 Virtual on VMWare Player. I cannot get it to work on a real 8.1 update upgrade done via the Windows Store.

To install, I used the Windows 8.1 Professional product key (GCRJD-etc.) from here:

Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys

With VMWare Easy Install, where the product key and user details can be added at the beginning to run the install unattended, it takes about 40 minutes to install as a VM on a not very fast laptop with a Windows 8.1 host.

Activation should be done with your Windows 8 Pro product key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Download the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO using the WindowsSetupBox.exe from Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help. Use the "Trick" to get the Windows 8 Pro Product Key to be accepted by the Windows 8.1 installer.

I found that the Windows 7 platform works every time, whether a real or virtual Windows 7 Machine (tested with 7 Home Premium 64 (real) and 7 Enterprise 32 Virtual on VMWare Player. I cannot get it to work on a real 8.1 update upgrade done via the Windows Store.

To install, I used the Windows 8.1 Professional product key (GCRJD-etc.) from here:

Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys

With VMWare Easy Install, where the product key and user details can be added at the beginning to run the install unattended, it takes about 40 minutes to install as a VM on a not very fast laptop with a Windows 8.1 host.

Activation should be done with your Windows 8 Pro product key.

so you have successfully done a fresh install of windows 8.1? that product key will work when i do a remove and reinstall windows operation?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Preview
I have performed the 8.1 ISO download twice, once for 32-bit, once for 64-bit. I only have a single license for Windows 8, but the same key works for the ISO download (I originally downloaded the Windows 8 upgrade ISO in both 32-and 64-bit formats last year with the same key). Nothing in the EULA against that.

I have installed the 32-bit 8.1 ISO download once in a VM, to a running state, but have not activated it - since my licensed product key is in use. I have satisfied myself that if this PC fails tomorrow, I will be able to install Windows 8.1 Pro and WMC on another machine, having the installation media and the methodology to do it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
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