Clean installs to new SSD's., and getting from 8.0 to 8.1

[Mediaman09]

Clean installs to new SSD's, and getting from 8.0 to 8.1

On all my home machines, I am going down a path of swapping out all my boot drives for SSDs, and using the HDD's for data only. Just did this on one of my Win 7 Dell machines - what a difference given the combo of SDD and fresh install!!)

Windows 8 is a bit more challenging. I want all clean installs.. ie have no interest is "upgrading", or "transferring" or "restoring for image" or "recovering original partitions". I "simply" want to:

-do a fresh clean install (from install media to a new SSD)
-re-establish (or adopt a new) a backup strategy to rebuild.
-recognize the nuances of retail vs OEM and Win 8 vs 8.1 etc.

I reviewed quite a few articles, posts and threads, and each time I read one more, there is always a little twist. But I "think" I have the full picture now and wanted to confirm.

Are my assertions below correct ???

1) I can use my OEM supplied USB bootable Win 8.0 (which will read my embedded 8.0 key) and reinstall 8.0 to the same drive , or a to a replacement HDD (on that machine) or a new SSD drive (on that machine).

2) Any time after 8.0 is up running, I can use third party image software ( or native windows software) to create image files, a bootable rescue disc, to restore my system should my boot fail or become corrupt.

3) With 8.0 running, I can download , upgrade and auto activate to 8.1 by going to the windows store.

4) I can download a Windows 8.1 ISO file from the Microsoft. HOWEVER I cannot use my Windows 8 OEM activation key to perform a clean install of Windows 8.1. If that's want I wanted (reinstall to 8.1) I would need to buy a retail key.

However there is workaround trick.

(a) RETAIL KEY
For those who have a RETAIL win 8.0 key. Per link here : http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html one done , it yields 8.1 ISO file, that can be used to reinstall 8.1 and activate it with an 8.0 RETAIL key.​

The trick is summarized in the above thread as follows:


​

​

"Download both the install win 8 AND install win 8.1 from Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help
​

Run windows8setup.exe, put in your win 8.0 RETAIL key. As soon as it says "estimating", click the red X at top rt to close it. ​

Then run windowsSetupbox.exe, you don't need to enter anything, it will immediately start to d/l 8.1 which gives the option to create an iso."​

The trick is also explained here, again needing the RETAIL key to start with : Here is how to get the Windows 8.1 ISO and create a USB install stick - Neowin

------------------
​

(b) OEM KEY
For those with an OEM key, genet (see post below) suggest the steps outlined here :
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...tted-genuine-windows-8-lenovo.html#post330277
​

5) Any time after Win 8.1 is up running, I can use third party software ( but not the now broken native windows software) to create image files and rescue disc and restore my system should my boot drive fail or become corrupt.

6) I can't really create my own bootable Win 8.1 ISO file of a working 8.1 system, to restore a failed or corrupt hard drive...but I can use the image software re above for that purpose.

7) With a Win 8.1 Retail DVD, I can create an ISO and bootable USB, and use it to install to a fresh SDD, using the 8.1 retail key.

Did I get that almost right?

 

[genet]

How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key?

 

[Mediaman09]

genet- Thanks. I believe you are referring to my question (4), and I added your solution to (4)b for completeness. Those steps are however a bit beyond me, but kudos to you for figuring it all out!. It also assumes one knows how and where to download a Windows 8.1 64-bit RTM ISO image.

 

[theog]

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html




The only legal download:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

 

[alphanumeric]

Is your OEM supplied USB bootable Win 8.0 recovery media or install media. Recovery media will just restore the factory install with all the factory installed apps and programs. It also may not work on a swapped out drive. I couldn't get it to work on my SSD drive in my laptop. I ended up scrounging up a Windows 8 ISO to do a clean install. Official Microsoft Windows 8.0 install media will read and us the OEM embedded key and install the matching version automatically. You don't get prompted to enter a product key and it will activate online automatically once you connect to the internet. Official Microsoft Windows 8.1 install media will not use the 8.0 embedded key, you'll get prompted to enter one during the install. You'll have to enter an 8.1 code to do the install. You can however activate with a Windows 8.0 key. As shown in the link Theog posted above. Just so you know, the download he posted in his second link will not accept OEM keys, you need to enter a Retail key to get the download. If your 8.0 install is activated OK you should be able to update to 8.1 though the store. I think you'll have to do Windows update before it actually shows up in the Windows store.

My laptop came with Windows 8 Core installed by the manufacturer. I swapped out the original spinner drive with an SSD and did a clean install. I've done clean installs of 8.0 and 8.1 from bootable USB thumb drives with no issues. I use the Windows 7 DVD download tool to create my thumb drives. This doesn't work for everybody though. On a lot of PC's with UEFI, you have to format the thumb drive in Fat32 for the install to work. The Windows 7 DVD download tool formats the thumb drive in NTFS. My laptop is fine with an NTFS formatted drive for UEFI.

 

[Mediaman09]

..The only legal download:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

Is your OEM supplied USB bootable Win 8.0 recovery media or install media. Recovery media will just restore the factory install with all the factory installed apps and programs. It also may not work on a swapped out drive.... Official Microsoft Windows 8.0 install media will read and us the OEM embedded key and install the matching version automatically. You don't get prompted to enter a product key and it will activate online automatically once you connect to the internet. ....

Official Microsoft Windows 8.1 install media will not use the 8.0 embedded key, you'll get prompted to enter one during the install. You'll have to enter an 8.1 code to do the install. You can however activate with a Windows 8.0 key. ....

As shown in the link Theog posted above. Just so you know, the download he posted in his second link will not accept OEM keys, you need to enter a Retail key to get the download. ...

If your 8.0 install is activated OK you should be able to update to 8.1 though the store. I think you'll have to do Windows update before it actually shows up in the Windows store.
.

Okay thanks guys, I think then I have the full picture.

I have three Win 8 machines (each getting new SSD's) - interesting situation as the each has thier own solution...

a) For one machine A, I have WIN 8.1 PRO RETAIL (DVD)
So here :

• 8.1 activation- no issue ; key provided with purhase
• creating an ISO 8.1 file for 8.1 rebuild - no issue (created from DVD)
• bootable USB fir 8.1 rebuild - no issue - created from above
• third party image backups for 8.1 PRO - no problem
• windows system images/restores for 8.1 PRO- partly broken in 8.1- even on PRO??

b) For machine B, I have a new ASUS ; OEM version of 8.0 with free upgrade to 8.1
So here :

• 8.1 activation- no issue ; key embedded; 8.1 installed via store
• creating an ISO 8.1 file for 8.1 rebuild - not readlily avaliale ( would need to purchase a retail version of 8.1 or purchase OEM version of 8.0
• bootable USB for 8.1 rebuild - only if/when iSO obtained
• third party image backups for 8.1 - no problem
• windows system images/restores for 8.1- partly broken in 8.1 ??

Here I will just stick with 8.1 and rely on image bakcups to recover. If all
else fails on a recovery, I can always by a retail 8.1 key at that time.
​

c) For machine C, I have a older DELL - with the OEM version of 8.0 and an OEM suppled USB stick. I got the USB stcik when my new system failed and Dell came on site to install a new drive No activtion key was entered. So I think it really iw an inatall stick vs a repair stick, so thats good. I will certainly try to see if I can downlaod 8.1 from the store. Some Dell users have had success on this machine; other have not. So I may or may not have a free upgrade path to 8.1

if store 8.1 download successful:
​

• 
  [*=1]creating an ISO 8.1 file for 8.1 rebuild - not readlily available (would need to
  [*=1]purchase retail version of 8.1
  [*=1]bootable USB for 8.1 rebuild - only if/when iSO obtained
  [*=1]third party image backups for 8.1 - no problemt
  [*=1]windows system images/restores for 8.1- partly broken in 8.1 ??
  Here, as per B, I will just stick with 8.1 and rely on image bakcups to recover. If all
  else fails on a recovery, I can always by a retail 8.1 key at that time.

if store 8.1 download not successful:​

• 
  [*=1]stick with 8.0
  [*=1]third party image backups for 8.0 - no problem
  [*=1]windows system images/restores for 8.0- no problem (8.0)
  Here I will just stick with 8.0 and only buy a retail key once a major new version is released. I may even use a spare Win 7 licence I have and use the Win 7 SP1 ISO to rebuild as needed.

 

[alphanumeric]

I think you'll find that you can install 8.1 on all three PC's with the one Retail DVD. The box may say 8.1 Pro but the DVD likely can install Core or Pro. The key entered determines what is installed. On machine A use the Pro code that came with the DVD as it was already used on that PC. On machine B use the generic 8.1 install code to do the install and then activate with that PC's embedded 8.0 code. Same deal for C, use the leaked install code and then activate with that PC's embedded OEM BIOS key. Each PC will then be legally activated with their own key.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html << The generic install keys are listed in this tutorial.

 

[Mediaman09]

I think you'll find that you can install 8.1 on all three PC's with the one Retail DVD. The box may say 8.1 Pro but the DVD likely can install Core or Pro. The key entered determines what is installed......

And thanks !

Just to add to the insainity and madness and nonsense, which by any measure this surely is, there are of course at least two versions of "store bought" Win Pro 8.1 64Bit English DVD, specifically the "OEM" version and the "full retail" version".

I bought the former, Canada Computers | Software | Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional 64-Bit English OEM (per numerous forum recommendations), so I am not sure if this version has both the Pro and Core versions you refer to (unless you happened to buy the same version and can say for sure).

I guess I'll know when I attempt installing with the generic key

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm just going by what I see on TechNet and MSDN. For Windows 8 and 8.1 they don't list separate OEM and Retail ISO's. Also the ones listed are marked as Multiple Edition (Core and Pro). The TechNet keys are listed as being Retail keys. The ISO will except Retail keys and also use the OEM embedded key. My guess is the Retail store bought DVD's are the same as the TechNet ISO's. Let me know what you try and how it works out for you will you.

 

[Mediaman09]

Okay, I stated the process starting with machine A ( the one intend for Win 8.1 PRO. I used a bootable USB I created from the retail DVD.

Two questions

1) GENERIC VS OEM KEYS - Following the process outline above of using the generic key to install, and the purchased key to activate, I entered the generic key at the very first key prompt, and it accepted it. My only question here is that the wording of that very first prompt was "Enter the product key you want to use to ACTIVATE", so , given I only entered the generic key, I assume at some point to will again ask me for the 'real' purchased OEM key to actually activate. Correct?
UPDATE - OK ANSWERED; I ACTIVATE FOR REAL UNDER PC SETTING/ACTIVATE WINDOWS


2) PARTITIONS - When it stated to install on the SSD, I expected it to and it did) alert me, that it may create hidden recovery partitions. In my past installs, it created a single 100MB hidden parttin. I gather for Win 8.1 Pro its a bit different, per screen shot below (unless this was simply a result of using the generic key) ??​

 

[Clintlgm]

Okay, I stated the process starting with machine A ( the one intend for Win 8.1 PRO. I used a bootable USB I created from the retail DVD.

Two questions

1) GENERIC VS OEM KEYS - Following the process outline above of using the generic key to install, and the purchased key to activate, I entered the generic key at the very first key prompt, and it accepted it. My only question here is that the wording of that very first prompt was "Enter the product key you want to use to ACTIVATE", so , given I only entered the generic key, I assume at some point to will again ask me for the 'real' purchased OEM key to actually activate. Correct?
UPDATE - OK ANSWERED; I ACTIVATE FOR REAL UNDER PC SETTING/ACTIVATE WINDOWS


2) PARTITIONS - When it stated to install on the SSD, I expected it to and it did) alert me, that it may create hidden recovery partitions. In my past installs, it created a single 100MB hidden parttin. I gather for Win 8.1 Pro its a bit different, per screen shot below (unless this was simply a result of using the generic key) ??​

View attachment 36076

Yes the Generic key will not activate you'll be able to put in your Key
the partitions look good for a UEFI GPT install

 

[genet]

UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style).

How to create a bootable USB flash drive.

Note: You do not need this step if you download the Windows 8.1 installation media from Microsoft's web site and select the "USB flash drive" option (see this link for help). This USB flash drive can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode.

Note: You do not need this step if you download the Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft's web site and select the "USB flash drive" option (see this link for help). This USB flash drive can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode.

Note: Windows USB/DVD Download Tool is unable to create a USB flash drive that can be booted in UEFI boot mode, because it format the USB flash drive in NTFS instead of FAT32.

Note: Rufus is unable to create a USB flash drive that can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode.

1. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 8/10 64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in UEFI Boot Mode.

Format your USB flash drive. Note: You need to choose the FAT32 file system (see screenshot below).

When formatting is complete.
- In Windows 8/10, mount the Windows 8/10 64-bit ISO image file by right-clicking the ISO image file and choosing Mount. If you don’t see Mount command from the context menu, go to Open with -> Windows Explorer instead.
- Select everything in the mounted ISO image file, and copy them into the USB flash drive you prepared earlier.



2. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 7/8/10 64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in UEFI Boot Mode.

- Download and run the Rufus program.
- Connect your USB flash drive.
- Click on the browse icon and select your Windows 7/8/10 64-bit ISO image file.
- Under Partition scheme and target system type, select GPT partition scheme for UEFI.
- Under File system, select FAT32.
- The default Cluster size setting is automatically detected, so do not change the setting.
- Click on Start button.



3. How to create Legacy BIOS Boot Mode compatible Windows 7/8/10 32/64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

- Download and run the Rufus program.
- Connect your USB flash drive.
- Click on the browse icon and select your Windows 7/8/10 32/64-bit ISO image file.
- Under Partition scheme and target system type, select MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI-CSM.
- Under File system, select NTFS.
- The default Cluster size setting is automatically detected, so do not change the setting.
- Click on Start button.



4. How to create UEFI Boot Mode and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode compatible Windows 8/10 64-bit USB flash drive.

- Connect your USB flash drive.
- Open a command prompt as administrator and type (or copy and paste) the following commands.

diskpart
list disk
select disk # WARNING: Replace # with your target USB flash drive.
clean
create partition primary
format fs=fat32 quick
active
exit

- In Windows 8/10, mount the Windows 8/10 64-bit ISO image file by right-clicking the ISO image file and choosing Mount. If you don’t see Mount command from the context menu, go to Open with -> Windows Explorer instead.
- Select everything in the mounted ISO image file, and copy them into the USB flash drive you prepared earlier.



UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

Windows 8/10 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) computers and the new motherboards have UEFI firmware, but the UEFI firmware include a Compatibility Support Module (CSM) that is set up to use the legacy version of BIOS.

The UEFI firmware supports two boot modes: UEFI Boot Mode and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

- In UEFI Boot Mode, the UEFI firmware scan your computer's hard drives for existence of the EFI System partition, then run \efi\boot\bootx64.efi file in the EFI System partition.

- If you are booting from a Windows 7/8/10 64-bit USB flash drive (FAT32 file system) in UEFI Boot Mode, then UEFI firmware run \efi\boot\bootx64.efi file. Note: This file does not exist by default in the Windows 7 installation media, so you need to create this file by using the Rufus program, if you want UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 7 64-bit USB flash drive.

- If you are booting from a Windows 7/8/10 64-bit DVD in UEFI Boot Mode, then UEFI firmware run \efi\microsoft\boot\cdboot.efi file.

UEFI Boot Mode do not use boot sectors on the hard drive (and the USB flash drive) and do not require active partition to be set.

How do you select UEFI Boot Mode or Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

Note: The UEFI firmware settings determines what type of boot devices are available in the boot menu: UEFI, Legacy BIOS (aka CSM), or both types of boot devices.

Normally, you do not need to turn Secure Boot off to install Windows 8/10 in UEFI Boot Mode. If you want to install Windows 7, then you must turn Secure Boot off.

Note: You do not need to change the boot order of drives in your UEFI firmware settings.
- Connect your Windows 7/8/10 USB flash drive or insert your Windows 7/8/10 DVD.
- Restart the computer.
- Press the correct key to enter the boot menu (Esc, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12).
- Select your USB/DVD from the boot menu.

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 64-bit USB flash drive in the Asus motherboard boot menu (see screenshot below).

You may notice a bootable USB flash drive showing twice in the boot menu, one marked UEFI and one not marked UEFI.



If you select Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (not marked UEFI in the boot menu).

- If your hard drive is blank, the Windows setup program creates the following partitions on your hard drive (see screenshot below).

Partition table:
- MBR (Master Boot Record)

Two partitions:
- System Reserved - The Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
- Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to.



If you select UEFI Boot Mode (marked UEFI in the boot menu).

- If your hard drive is blank, the Windows setup program creates the following partitions on your hard drive (see screenshot below).

Partition table:
- GPT (GUID Partition Table)

Four partitions:
- Recovery - The Windows Recovery Environment tools. This partition does not exist in Windows 7.
- System (EFI system) - The Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
- MSR (Reserved) - Microsoft Reserved.
- Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to.

Note: The MSR (Reserved) partition is not visible within Disk Management utility, but it is listed with command line utility (diskpart).

   Tip

Error message when you boot from the Windows installation media in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode:

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style. (see screenshot below)

That is because Windows can only be installed to MBR disk in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode, but you plan to install Windows on a GPT disk.

- Boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI Boot Mode, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- But if you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table, then delete all partitions on the disk.



Error message when you boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI Boot Mode:

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks. (see screenshot below)

That is because Windows can only be installed to GPT disk in UEFI Boot Mode, but you plan to install Windows on an MBR disk.

- Delete all partitions on the disk, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- But if you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table, then boot from the Windows installation media in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

Note: If you want to delete the MBR/GPT partition table entry, you must delete all the partitions until you only see Drive 0 Unallocated Space (see screenshot below). On the Where do you want to install Windows? screen, select a partition and click on the "Delete" option for each partition.

- Once you have deleted all of the partitions, click on the "Next" button. The installation of Windows will begin. All the required partitions are created automatically during the install.
- Or, if you know what you're doing, you can click on the "New" button and create a separate data partition.



Normally, you should be able to delete all the partitions on the Where do you want to install Windows? screen.

Note: But if you cannot delete all the partitions on the Where do you want to install Windows? screen.

- Boot the computer using the Windows 7/8/10 installation media.
- On the first screen, press SHIFT+F10 to bring up the command prompt.
- Run the following commands at the command prompt.

diskpart
list disk (this will give you a listing of the disks on your system)
select disk # (select the disk you want to clean, for example select disk 0)
clean (running the clean command will delete all partitions on the disk)
exit

Even if you are going to use the GPT (GUID Partition Table), you do not need to run the convert gpt command, since you are not creating the partitions at a command prompt.

- Close the command prompt window and continue your Windows installation as usual.

   Tip

Install Windows 8/10 in UEFI Boot Mode, because UEFI Boot Mode will allow you the option of using Secure Boot.

Secure Boot protect users from rootkits and other low-level malware attacks by blocking unauthorized (non-signed) executables and drivers from being loaded during the boot process.

Secure Boot only works in UEFI Boot Mode, when you enable Secure Boot in your computer's UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings. But if you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/10 64-bit preinstalled, then Secure Boot is turned on by default.

Note: To confirm Secure Boot is enabled, within Windows 8/10 run the following command as administrator from the command prompt.

powershell confirm-SecureBootUEFI

The result should be True.

   Tip

If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8 64-bit preinstalled and you want to install Windows 7, then you must disable Secure Boot, because Secure Boot is not compatible with Windows 7.

Some of the Windows 8 OEM computers you will not be able to install Windows 7 in UEFI boot mode, so then you need to install Windows 7 in Legacy BIOS (aka CSM) boot mode.

You receive the following error message: "The partitions on the disk selected for installation are not in the recommended order."

That's a useless error message, so this error message can be ignored.

For example, you are installing Windows 7 on a dual boot system in UEFI Boot Mode and Windows 10 has already been installed on your hard drive in UEFI Boot Mode (see screenshot below).

   Tip

Windows 7/8/10 support for large-capacity disks as non-booting data volumes.

Capacity beyond 2 TB cannot be addressed by Windows if the disk is initialized by using the MBR partitioning scheme. For example, for a 3 TB single disk that is initialized by using MBR, Windows can create partitions up to the first 2 TB. However, the remaining capacity cannot be addressed and, therefore, cannot be used.

- Open the Disk Management utility.

When a non-initialized disk is detected by Windows, the following window opens to prompt you to initialize the disk.

- In the Initialize Disk dialog box, click GPT (GUID Partition Table), and then press OK.



Note: If you have previously initialized the disk by using the MBR partitioning scheme, follow these steps to initialize the disk by using the GPT scheme.

- Right-click the partition that you want to delete, and then click Delete Volume.



Note that Disk 1 contains two separate unallocated sections (see screenshot below).

- Right-click the label on the left for the disk that you want to convert, and then click Convert to GPT Disk.



The display should now show that the full amount of available space in unallocated (see screenshot below).

- Right-click the unallocated space on the right side of the status row for that disk, and then click New Simple Volume.
- Follow the steps in the partition wizard to complete this process.

Other instructions.

- Asus motherboard with UEFI firmware. How to install Windows 7/8/10 64-bit in UEFI Boot Mode. -> link
- Gigabyte motherboard with UEFI firmware. How to install Windows 8/10 64-bit in UEFI Boot Mode. -> link

- VMware Player. How to install Windows 7/8/10 64-bit in UEFI Boot Mode. -> link
- Macrium Reflect. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible rescue media on a USB flash drive. -> link

- How to use the BCDboot command in Windows 7/8/10. -> link
- How to fix the Windows 7/8/10 bootloader if the hard drive has an MBR partition table. -> link
- How to create the missing EFI System partition. -> link

- How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8/10. -> link
- Recovery partitions and "reagentc /info" command. -> link

- How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 -> link
- How to transfer Windows 8/8.1 license to new computer. -> link

 

[alphanumeric]

For machine A you didn't need to enter the generic code, you only use that when you are going to activate with an 8.0 Key. If you already have an 8.1 key you can enter it during the install and skip having to use the generic. Windows 8.1 won't install with an 8.0 key, the generic key lets you get around that.


On my laptop with UEFI, I end up with the Recovery, EFI, and the Primary Windows partition. On my desktop with normal BIOS I get a System Reserved and Primary Windows partition. Looks like Genet's got it all covered in his post.

 

[Mediaman09]

For machine A you didn't need to enter the generic code, you only use that when you are going to activate with an 8.0 Key. If you already have an 8.1 key you can enter it during the install and skip having to use the generic. Windows 8.1 won't install with an 8.0 key, the generic key lets you get around that....

Yup right you are. My bad, and that's exactly what you said in a prior post. Guess I was anxious to try out thr generic key .
No harm done through as it now activated.

Machine B is already on 8.1 ( ASUS OEM) so I will onyl need this generic trick when I need to rebuld it

Machine C is next (Dell OEM) .. but as I am already currently rebuilding 2 other machines, I may need some time to get to it. Will report back when I get to that stage.

 

[Mediaman09]

..
2) UEFI Boot Mode

Partition table:
- GPT (GUID Partition Table)

Four partitions:
- Recovery (Windows RE Tools)
- System (EFI system)
- MSR (Microsoft Reserved)
- Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to

Note: The MSR partition is not visible within Windows Disk Management GUI-control utility, but it is listed with command line utility (diskpart).

..On my laptop with UEFI, I end up with the Recovery, EFI, and the Primary Windows partition. On my desktop with normal BIOS I get a System Reserved and Primary Windows partition. Looks like Genet's got it all covered in his post.

Ok great, exaclty what I needed to know, and what I ended up with . so good to know things went accrdoing to plan.

I gather the determination of Legacy vs UEFI is based on the motherbaord/chip/BIOS??? .. ie its not something I selected as a choice... seemed to be all transparent/automatic.

 

[Mediaman09]

On all my home machines, I am going down a path of swapping out all my boot drives for SSDs, and using the HDD's for data only. Just did this on one of my Win 7 Dell machines - what a difference given the combo of SDD and fresh install!!) ..

Is there any disadvantage/overhead/burden in getting a 256GB SSD vs 128 GB SSD for a boot drive? With prices falling etc, I am leaning to 256 GB as my 'standard'. It's what I used for my first two conversions.

On one hand, most of my lighter duty systems have only about 40GB on the boo drive, so a 128 GB SSD seems like more than enough. But on the other hand, some of my systems have 75 GB on the boot drive, as these things do tend to bloat over time, with more and more apps, restores points, temp filee , future OS ipgrades, and ad-hoc needs for some quick/fast space etc

While I could get aways with 128GB SSDs for some and 256 GB SSDs for others, I do tend to "re-purpose" machines every now and then, so... so for about $100 more I figure why not double the size and never worry about it.

Is my logic flawed at all?

 

[alphanumeric]

..
2) UEFI Boot Mode

Partition table:
- GPT (GUID Partition Table)

Four partitions:
- Recovery (Windows RE Tools)
- System (EFI system)
- MSR (Microsoft Reserved)
- Primary - Where Windows is to be installed to

Note: The MSR partition is not visible within Windows Disk Management GUI-control utility, but it is listed with command line utility (diskpart).

..On my laptop with UEFI, I end up with the Recovery, EFI, and the Primary Windows partition. On my desktop with normal BIOS I get a System Reserved and Primary Windows partition. Looks like Genet's got it all covered in his post.

Ok great, exaclty what I needed to know, and what I ended up with . so good to know things went accrdoing to plan.

I gather the determination of Legacy vs UEFI is based on the motherbaord/chip/BIOS??? .. ie its not something I selected as a choice... seemed to be all transparent/automatic.

UEFI or Legacy is determined by the BIOS on the PC. My laptop has UEFI BIOS and my older desktops are the standard (now referred to as legacy) BIOS. You'll get a UEFI option listed in the Boot Options menu if your USB thumb drive is setup correctly. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html?filter ,

 

[alphanumeric]

On all my home machines, I am going down a path of swapping out all my boot drives for SSDs, and using the HDD's for data only. Just did this on one of my Win 7 Dell machines - what a difference given the combo of SDD and fresh install!!) ..

Is there any disadvantage/overhead/burden in getting a 256GB SSD vs 128 GB SSD for a boot drive? With prices falling etc, I am leaning to 256 GB as my 'standard'. It's what I used for my first two conversions.

On one hand, most of my lighter duty systems have only about 40GB on the boo drive, so a 128 GB SSD seems like more than enough. But on the other hand, some of my systems have 75 GB on the boot drive, as these things do tend to bloat over time, with more and more apps, restores points, temp filee , future OS ipgrades, and ad-hoc needs for some quick/fast space etc

While I could get aways with 128GB SSDs for some and 256 GB SSDs for others, I do tend to "re-purpose" machines every now and then, so... so for about $100 more I figure why not double the size and never worry about it.

Is my logic flawed at all?

Not that I am aware of, the 256 isn't going to draw twice the power of the 128 if that's what your wondering. I have a 128GB SSD for Windows and a 256GB SSD for Data in my laptop and haven't come close to running out of room on the 128 GB drive. I have about a bout 100GB used on my desktop PC's Windows partition. I am debating if a 128GB SSD will be big enough. That PC has a bunch of games on it etc,, something I don't do on my laptop. There are ways to save space, like turning of hibernation to kill the hiberfil,sys file. Turning off system restore, if you don't ever use it. I move all my user folders like Documents Pictures etc to my Data drive,

 

[alphanumeric]

For machine A you didn't need to enter the generic code, you only use that when you are going to activate with an 8.0 Key. If you already have an 8.1 key you can enter it during the install and skip having to use the generic. Windows 8.1 won't install with an 8.0 key, the generic key lets you get around that....

Yup right you are. My bad, and that's exactly what you said in a prior post. Guess I was anxious to try out thr generic key .
No harm done through as it now activated.

Machine B is already on 8.1 ( ASUS OEM) so I will onyl need this generic trick when I need to rebuld it

Machine C is next (Dell OEM) .. but as I am already currently rebuilding 2 other machines, I may need some time to get to it. Will report back when I get to that stage.

Yup, no harm done, you just ended up doing an extra step or two is all.

 

[Mediaman09]

UEFI or Legacy is determined by the BIOS on the PC. My laptop has UEFI BIOS and my older desktops are the standard (now referred to as legacy) BIOS. You'll get a UEFI option listed in the Boot Options menu if your USB thumb drive is setup correctly. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html?filter ,

Excellent , thanks. I have been using the ISO to USB utiility to date, which is good for first timers as it keeps the task super simple (by removing most of the options/questions). Good to have the more comprehensive Rufus app and instructions in the toolchest - thanks again for the link.