Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.

[theog]

I have 8.1 installed a week ago and just purchased a W8 pro OEM disc. Im to understand that I can change my registration to the key I purchased.

So then what happens on Oct 18 when I already have the preview installed?

You will need to Reinstall.

 

[Rage19420]

You will need to Reinstall.

You mean reinstall Win 8 and then update to 8.1?

 

[theog]

You will need to Reinstall.

You mean reinstall Win 8 and then update to 8.1?

Yes.

 

[BFG]

Having a problem with the setup box with an 8.1 pro preview I'm trying to upgrade. The product key works but then I get the We can't connect right now when I click next

 

[theog]

Having a problem with the setup box with an 8.1 pro preview I'm trying to upgrade. The product key works but then I get the We can't connect right now when I click next

NO need to connect to the net when using a DVD/USB installer.
Also with Preview you will need to reinstall Windows.

 

[DavidY]

Having a problem with the setup box with an 8.1 pro preview I'm trying to upgrade. The product key works but then I get the We can't connect right now when I click next

NO need to connect to the net when using a DVD/USB installer.
Also with Preview you will need to reinstall Windows.

I've gone from 8.1 Pro Preview to 8.1 Retail using the Windows Store. No need to reinstall.

 

[Philip Yip]

The information here may be helpful:
Downloading Windows 8.1 using a Windows 8.0 Product Key - Windows 8 - Software & Operating Systems - Dell Community

I have wrote a means to download Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8.0 Upgrade Product Key.
In addition I have wrote a means to clean install Windows 8.1 using a generic Windows 8.1 install key and to activate Windows 8.1 using your actual Windows 8.0 key.

Note I am linking to the Dell Community which links to WordPress because last time I linked to my guides I got banned for blogspam.

As I don't have a Windows 8.0 system with OEM SLP. I would be interested in knowing whether the last step works. Install Windows 8.1 using the generic install key and then once when Windows 8.1 is installed remove all product keys using slmgr.vbr /upk and then restart your computer to see if the 8.1 install picks up the 8.0 key within the system BIOS?

 

[theog]

The information here may be helpful:
Downloading Windows 8.1 using a Windows 8.0 Product Key - Windows 8 - Software & Operating Systems - Dell Community

I have wrote a means to download Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8.0 Upgrade Product Key.
In addition I have wrote a means to clean install Windows 8.1 using a generic Windows 8.1 install key and to activate Windows 8.1 using your actual Windows 8.0 key.

Note I am linking to the Dell Community which links to WordPress because last time I linked to my guides I got banned for blogspam.

As I don't have a Windows 8.0 system with OEM SLP. I would be interested in knowing whether the last step works. Install Windows 8.1 using the generic install key and then once when Windows 8.1 is installed remove all product keys using slmgr.vbr /upk and then restart your computer to see if the 8.1 install picks up the 8.0 key within the system BIOS?

Read post one.

 

[theog]

Having a problem with the setup box with an 8.1 pro preview I'm trying to upgrade. The product key works but then I get the We can't connect right now when I click next

NO need to connect to the net when using a DVD/USB installer.
Also with Preview you will need to reinstall Windows.

I've gone from 8.1 Pro Preview to 8.1 Retail using the Windows Store. No need to reinstall.

You can also upgrade using the DVD/USB of Windows 8.1. Without the Microsoft Account.

 

[Philip Yip]

The information here may be helpful:
Downloading Windows 8.1 using a Windows 8.0 Product Key - Windows 8 - Software & Operating Systems - Dell Community

I have wrote a means to download Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8.0 Upgrade Product Key.
In addition I have wrote a means to clean install Windows 8.1 using a generic Windows 8.1 install key and to activate Windows 8.1 using your actual Windows 8.0 key.

Note I am linking to the Dell Community which links to WordPress because last time I linked to my guides I got banned for blogspam.

As I don't have a Windows 8.0 system with OEM SLP. I would be interested in knowing whether the last step works. Install Windows 8.1 using the generic install key and then once when Windows 8.1 is installed remove all product keys using slmgr.vbr /upk and then restart your computer to see if the 8.1 install picks up the 8.0 key within the system BIOS?

Read post one.

Read what I wrote again. As I said I have combined this information with a means of downloading Windows 8.1 media using a Windows 8.1 product key and have carried clean installation after secure wipe with DBAN on 2 systems.

Allow both access to a legitimate installation source and instructing the clean install.

 

[Leinad]

Okay I am extremely confuse. How do I install the 8.1 pro?... there is so many options that for real I just got lost...

 

[theog]

To do a in-place update from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 8.1, with 8.1 pro DVD option two.

 

[Leinad]

... Okay but when I download the W 8.1 to install it it ask me for key. And my W8 pro key is not valid when I apply it.

 

[theog]

For Windows 8 Core, you need the Windows 8.1 Core download.

For Windows 8 Pro, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download.

For Windows 8 Pro Preview, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download & key.

For Windows 8 Pro with MC, you may need to uninstall MC.

 

[Philip Yip]

... Okay but when I download the W 8.1 to install it it ask me for key. And my W8 pro key is not valid when I apply it.

Follow the instructions here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html
If you want more detail see the pdf here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34103-clean-install-windows-8-1-a.html

 

[Leinad]

For Windows 8 Core, you need the Windows 8.1 Core download.

For Windows 8 Pro, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download.

For Windows 8 Pro Preview, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download & key.

For Windows 8 Pro with MC, you may need to uninstall MC.

Okay

... Okay but when I download the W 8.1 to install it it ask me for key. And my W8 pro key is not valid when I apply it.

Follow the instructions here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html
If you want more detail see the pdf here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34103-clean-install-windows-8-1-a.html

Okay

 

[theog]

For Windows 8 Core, you need the Windows 8.1 Core download.

For Windows 8 Pro, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download.

For Windows 8 Pro Preview, you need the Windows 8.1 Pro download & key.

For Windows 8 Pro with MC, you may need to uninstall MC.

Okay

... Okay but when I download the W 8.1 to install it it ask me for key. And my W8 pro key is not valid when I apply it.

Follow the instructions here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html
If you want more detail see the pdf here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34103-clean-install-windows-8-1-a.html

Okay

Follow Post one.

 

[Leinad]

Yes thanks. I am doing backup in this instant as soon as I finish I will let you know.

 

[Tweak Freak]

What do you do at 3:00 AM?? You install a fresh copy of Win 8.1 of course. Anyways long story short I got the ISO and followed the tips here and by golly it went flawless. Absolutely perfect. LOL. I Started the install with a sterilized drive and after updates and everything tweaked, my new base Win 8.1 image was only 4.6 gigs and took 5 minutes to create using Acronis. Fantastic

Ya thanks guys for the tips and tricks fantastic site for and old curious bugger like me. I'll definately pass on the coodo's.:thumb::thumb:

 

[theog]

You are Welcome.