Solved Trying to reinstall Win 8 with a legit upgrade prod key?

gmc

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I've been running Win8 for a while now and its getting sluggish so its time to reinstall.

Originally I purchased the win8 upgrade license for something like $15. When it was released I downloaded the iso a while back burnt to dvd and installed a fresh copy of Win8.

Now time to reinstall - I can't find the original mail with my product key, and can't find the iso either! :cry:

I've still for Win8 running so i used one of those apps to get my product key.

I then tried to go here to download the iso again:
Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help

Downloaded and ran the Win8- entered my key and get:

The product key you entered is an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8

Agghh! How can I get the iso I originally used to install a fresh copy of Win8.

Since I have a working and licensed Win8 is there any trickery I can do to get it to transfer the key to the new build.


I'm trying to install a fresh copy on a new HDD - when its all up and running will trash the old hdd.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EX58 UD3R
    Memory
    16GB
You certainly can - this worked for me in same scenario - just as long as you have you Win 8 key not your media center key.

  1. Press the Windows key and type regedit. Press enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/and double-click on the MediabootInstall key in the right pane.
  3. Change the key's value from 1 to 0.
  4. Exit the Registry Editor, press the Windows key again, and type cmd. Right-click on the Command Prompt icon and run it as an administrator.
  5. Type slmgr /rearm and press Enter.
  6. Reboot Windows.
How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 with an Upgrade Disc
 

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You certainly can - this worked for me in same scenario - just as long as you have you Win 8 key not your media center key.


Thanks - how do I know which is the media center key. I ran jellybean keyfinder:

Code:
Windows 8.1 Pro with Media CenterProduct Part No.: [8]X18-15
Installed from 'Compliance Checked Product' media.
Product ID: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx  match to CD Key data
CD Key: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Computer Name: WIN8
Registered Owner: greg
Registered Organization:

The cd key is the product key correct?

Update: Doesnt appear to be - went through my backups and found my original product key and my iso!! :dinesh:

The key is completely different!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EX58 UD3R
    Memory
    16GB
As far as I know if you install Media Center then this overwrites the 8 key. This means that you'll only be able to retrieve that and it is not possible to activate windows with a media center key.

Are you sure you lost the mail from MS with the order number and key on? It has the subject "Thanks for ordering Windows 8 (order # WDxxxxxxxx)". If you've got the order number you can get the key and download the iso from https://www.mswos.com/

You may have some luck phoning MS perhaps but I think you do need either the key or the order number.
 

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
Cool - that explains why I couldn't activate it earlier with the above key.

Good to know - luckily I found the original key on one of my backups. Going to try now and will let you know.

I think I need to make 10 copies of the key :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EX58 UD3R
    Memory
    16GB
good luck ! You may need the workaround in the earlier post though - I needed it to do a clean install with upgrade key.
 

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
Success. Key working, and needed to do the workaround as well.

Thanks a ton.

/me does the dance of joy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EX58 UD3R
    Memory
    16GB
You're welcome
 

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
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