Will an Win 8.0 key work on a clean install of Win 8.1?

Hello all, I purchased a Lenovo Y510P laptop over a month ago which came with Windows 8.0. and I hated it from the get go. I was aware that 8.1 was available as a free download so I downloaded and installed it. All of these updates seem to have bogged down my system. When I click on what I am assuming is the new start button (the white house icon in the taskbar) it takes 6-10 seconds for the menu to appear .

I dug out the key with Belarc advisor and went to MS's site to download an ISO of 8.1 but it told me that it would not let me download the 8.1 ISO since my key was for 8.0. If I were able to get my hands on a 8.1 disc would I be able to use my 8.0 key to do a clean install of 8.1? It is so disappointing to have purchased such a powerful laptop and have it bogged down by so many updates as well as all of the bloatware that came preinstalled on it.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

No, it will not. With my Windows 8 embedded bios key devices, to load 8.1 clean I have to use a Windows 8 dummy key to install and then after, run slmgr.vbs -ipk win8key.

This process works fine and is very easy. So don't let it hold you back.

pparks1 said:

No, it will not. With my Windows 8 embedded bios key devices, to load 8.1 clean I have to use a Windows 8 dummy key to install and then after, run slmgr.vbs -ipk win8key.

This process works fine and is very easy. So don't let it hold you back.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean you have to use a 8.1 dummy key? I am a little confused. Could you possibly elaborate on this?

IH88 said:

pparks1 said:

No, it will not. With my Windows 8 embedded bios key devices, to load 8.1 clean I have to use a Windows 8 dummy key to install and then after, run slmgr.vbs -ipk win8key.

This process works fine and is very easy. So don't let it hold you back.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean you have to use a 8.1 dummy key? I am a little confused. Could you possibly elaborate on this?

Click to expand...

Correct. Get your Windows 8 key before you start, I use a script called showkey.vbs.

Then, Google for Windows 8.1 dummy key. Make sure you use right version, like Windows 8.1 versus 8.1 pro. When you install 8.1, you will be prompted for a key and you enter the dummy key. The OS will now load, it just won't activate with the dummy key.

So once you are booted and running, use the slmgr.vbs command to put back in your valid Windows 8 key. It well accept it and then with a reboot, it will activate.

I've done this on many machines and tablets, never a problem.

Use these dummy keys to install 8.1, then activate it with your 8.0 key..

Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Thanks Tews...I was on my phone when I made the other replies and didn't have the keys available to me at the time.

pparks1 and Tews, thanks so much for the help. That is exactly what I needed to know. One more curve ball: I am possibly considering upgrading to 8.1 Pro via the "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" link located in the Windows system info.
If I were to do this would I be given an 8.1 Pro key or would I keep the same key embedded in the BIOS?

pparks1 said:

Thanks Tews...I was on my phone when I made the other replies and didn't have the keys available to me at the time.

Click to expand...

My pleasure!

IH88 said:

pparks1 and Tews, thanks so much for the help. That is exactly what I needed to know. One more curve ball: I am possibly considering upgrading to 8.1 Pro via the "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" link located in the Windows system info.
If I were to do this would I be given an 8.1 Pro key or would I keep the same key embedded in the BIOS?

Click to expand...

During a reinstall, if your system has an embedded BIOS key, that is what gets used. When you install the OS, you aren't even asked about a key when it's embedded, it's just what the system automatically uses.

While I have upgraded a couple of Windows 8 standards to 8.0 PRO, I haven't upgraded to an 8.1 Pro...so I haven't tested exactly what you are asking about.

The download you tried will only accept Retail keys. Your embedded key is an OEM key, that's why it was rejected. If you do a clean install of Windows 8.0 it will read and use the embedded 8.0 key automatically and install the matching version. If it's a Core key you get Core, if its a Pro key you get 8.0 Pro. If you do a clean install of 8.1 it will not use the 8.0 embedded key, it needs a Windows 8.1 key to install. That's where the leaked generic keys come in. They will let you install but they will not activate. Once you have the install finished you can use the change key function to enter your 8.0 key and activate. Just remember to use the key that matches your version. If you install 8.1 pro and then try to change the key and enter an 8 Core key it will be rejected. The key you enter during the install sets what version gets installed. If you use add features to go from Core To Pro, the Pro key you enter becomes the new key that Windows activates with. Same thing happens if you add Media Center, the Media Center key becomes the key Windows activates with from then on.

Tews, looks like those keys have since been blacklisted according to other who get the same error message when trying to use them.

The generic install keys are blacklisted, if that's what your referring to.

Those keys cannot be used to ACTIVATE, but they can be used to INSTALL. Once you install, you run slmgr.vbs and import your "real" key back in.

pparks1 said:

Those keys cannot be used to ACTIVATE, but they can be used to INSTALL. Once you install, you run slmgr.vbs and import your "real" key back in.

Click to expand...

I meant they are blacklisted for the download. Sorry for confusing things. Yes you can install with them but they won't activate. I haven't had to do the slmgr.vbs, I just clicked on the "change key" and entered my valid key.