Need to re- install Win8 but only have a WMC upgrade key..

Nalydyenlo

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Need to re-install Win8 but only have a WMC upgrade key..

I had a media center upgrade key for some time which I got for free. Recently I decided to activate it so I could watch digital TV on my PC. However, I noticed that this key is now is now the new product key for my machine and the original seems to be gone forever.
Can I re-install and activate Windows 8 using the media center upgrade key if I need to, cause it's the only key I've got now?
If this isn't possible, can someone recommend some kind of disk imaging backup software that will preserve my activated copy so that I'll not have to install from disk/usb again. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Hello Nalydyenlo, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, then the W8 product key is embedded in the UEFI firmware and will automatically be detected and entered whenever you install the same edition of Windows 8 on that PC.

A WMC key will not activate W8. A WMC key is only good to add WMC to W8.

If you like Macrium Reflect Free is a good option to create a system image with.

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Help Forums

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
My machine came with Vista so there's obviously no Win 8 key stored anywhere on my PC. Looks like system imaging is the way to go for a back up in case there's a need for future re-installs. Looking into Macrium now, thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Check your email from the Windows Store.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
:ditto:

Your product key will be on your Windows 8 order confirmation email like below. This email is your receipt and COA.


10502d1351915874-windows-8-upgrade-assistant-download-run-email.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks all, I just gotta trawl through the inbox of my old e-mail account (if it's still active) and find that all important e-mail!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I have had this same problem and for some reason i did not have the email anymore, I was directed to this site https://www.mswos.com/ but i needed an order no that was on the email that i did not have so i went on to windows store site and went to live chat and asked them to help.I gave them my email address but they would not tell me anything until i gave them my billing address last 4 digits from the card i used to pay with and my phone No for security then hey presto they sent me the email again hope this helps.
Dell
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1 pro with media
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba qosmio X770.11c
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8g +500ssd +500hdd
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