Clean install from a pre-installed Win 8 laptop?

Windows OP

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Hi Windows 8 forums, I'm from Windows 7 and don't know much about windows 8. I wanted to know if my laptop came pre-installed with windows 8 (not sure what edition), can I just boot amsdn/digitalriver/technet/RETAIL copy of Windows 8 , run a clean install deleting all the partitions on my computer and won't need to enter a key?

I know windows 8 have a program where you enter a key and download the .iso but apparently, it doesn't work for oem key at all I think.

I did a forum search before posting but found this link https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGVOPRNWHerGj1dDy1erxAnh6LRuQ to how to clean install windows 8 but the tutorial is aimed towards individuals with a retail key not oem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7 ultimate
Hi Windows OP, welcome to Windows EightForums!

Sounds like you just got the machine.
I think the easiest thing to do is to get the laptop tweaked and set just the way you want it without a ton of files and junk in the trash bin then take a system image backup to refresh your machine.

The whole OEM/embedded product key/clean install thing is a little twisted!
Some of our fellow members have more experience with that. Hang in there, they might stop by and add their insight! :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Hi Windows OP, welcome to Windows EightForums!

Sounds like you just got the machine.
I think the easiest thing to do is to get the laptop tweaked and set just the way you want it without a ton of files and junk in the trash bin then take a system image backup to refresh your machine.

The whole OEM/embedded product key/clean install thing is a little twisted!
Some of our fellow members have more experience with that. Hang in there, they might stop by and add their insight! :)

Thanks,

I was thinking of just installing revo installer and remove all the bloatware from windows 8 if doing a clean windows 8 install is "Too much work".

I'm more of a Windows 7 user but this laptop is for an aunt/cousin and yeah. They're using internet explorer which is highly not recommended since Chrome / Firefox is better :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7 ultimate
Thanks,

I was thinking of just installing revo installer and remove all the bloatware from windows 8 if doing a clean windows 8 install is "Too much work".

I'm more of a Windows 7 user but this laptop is for an aunt/cousin and yeah. They're using internet explorer which is highly not recommended since Chrome / Firefox is better :)

Right; take your time, be careful, check out all your options and ALWAYS create a Restore Point! ;)
Here's a good tweak guide; Windows 8 Regular Edition:
(it's a free download, check it out)

TweakGuides.com - The TweakGuides Tweaking Companion
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Edwin is right, the best defense is to image backup software on a regular basis. Also do a separate data backup.

If every you are stuck and have to do a clean install, one our members (genet) submitted this tutorial on how to download an ISO image, post #6. Never mind what it says about Lenovo.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...tted-genuine-windows-8-lenovo.html#post330277

If you wish to find your OEM or installed key, post # 2

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/49097-generic-install-key-being-detected-oem-key.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
I did a clean install on my ASUS laptop using my MSDN Windows 8.0 ISO. It read and used the OEM embedded key and activated online automatically. It came from the factory with 8.0 Core installed and that's what was installed. Last time I checked though, Digitalriver didn't have Windows 8 ISO's, only windows 7?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
If I post all the programs that are installed on my computer, would you kindly help "recommend" what programs to uninstall? :)

This would be a great alternative than doing a clean install!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7 ultimate
I did a clean install on my ASUS laptop using my MSDN Windows 8.0 ISO. It read and used the OEM embedded key and activated online automatically. It came from the factory with 8.0 Core installed and that's what was installed. Last time I checked though, Digitalriver didn't have Windows 8 ISO's, only windows 7?

Right, they don't. I just checked.

Can I just go to the Microsoft website, download the appropriate edition and use a generic key to download the .iso and it will detect my OEM key?

I forgot, how do I check what windows 8 edition I'm using?? :S
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7 ultimate

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
I did a clean install on my ASUS laptop using my MSDN Windows 8.0 ISO. It read and used the OEM embedded key and activated online automatically. It came from the factory with 8.0 Core installed and that's what was installed. Last time I checked though, Digitalriver didn't have Windows 8 ISO's, only windows 7?

Right, they don't. I just checked.

Can I just go to the Microsoft website, download the appropriate edition and use a generic key to download the .iso and it will detect my OEM key?

I forgot, how do I check what windows 8 edition I'm using?? :S

The only official download, other than TechNet and MSDN, that I know of will only accept Retail keys. generic install keys won't work for that download either. TechNet and MSDN are subscription services and not free, so your options are very limited. Bit torrent etc, which have a high risk attached as those ISO's are often modified in a bad way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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