Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.

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.
 

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    i7-920
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro-e X58
    Memory
    Corsair XMS Series 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 480 SLI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VG278H 3D Vision 2
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1280 120hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC 500ggn
    Samsung 830 SSD 256gb W7
    Crucial M4 128gb W8.1
    PSU
    CORSAIR 850 TXV2
    Case
    NZXT Tempest EVO
    Cooling
    Antec 620 x3
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logiyech MX518
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP DV7-4269WM
    CPU
    i5-480M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6370
    Sound Card
    Beats Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3"
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    750GB (5400RPM)
    Internet Speed
    1500
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.
 

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
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
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?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate/Windows 8.1 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Delll XPS 8300
    CPU
    i7-2600
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD5770
    Sound Card
    Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2×Dell IN2030M
    Screen Resolution
    1600×900
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 120 GB SSD (Boot Drive)
    2×Hitachi HDS721010CLA322 1 TB HDDs (Storage)
    Keyboard
    Dell SK-8135
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes' AntiMalware
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.
 

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
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.
 

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
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate/Windows 8.1 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Delll XPS 8300
    CPU
    i7-2600
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD5770
    Sound Card
    Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2×Dell IN2030M
    Screen Resolution
    1600×900
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 120 GB SSD (Boot Drive)
    2×Hitachi HDS721010CLA322 1 TB HDDs (Storage)
    Keyboard
    Dell SK-8135
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes' AntiMalware
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...
 

My Computer

System One

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

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
... 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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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.
 

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate/Windows 8.1 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Delll XPS 8300
    CPU
    i7-2600
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD5770
    Sound Card
    Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2×Dell IN2030M
    Screen Resolution
    1600×900
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 120 GB SSD (Boot Drive)
    2×Hitachi HDS721010CLA322 1 TB HDDs (Storage)
    Keyboard
    Dell SK-8135
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes' AntiMalware
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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.
 

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
What do you do at 3:00 AM?? You install a fresh copy of Win 8.1 of course:cool:. Anyways long story short I got the ISO and followed the tips here and by golly it went flawless. Absolutely perfect:dinesh::dinesh:. 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:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Memory
    Lost it long ago
You are Welcome. :dinesh:
 

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
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