Is the Win8 product key tied to install media ?

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escaladieu

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I have bought 3 win8 Licences online. I downloaded the install media for each. Do I need to keep all the install media or will a valid key work with any install media ? Or to put the question another way is the key tied to the install media in any way ? I'd rather keep just one instance of the install media if that's possible.
Thanks in advance
 

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Did each Windows 8 License have its' own product key ?
 

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escaladieu said:
medab1 said:
Did each Windows 8 License have its' own product key ?
Click to expand...

Well, yes, I have 3 keys, 3 licences. I thought that licence = unique key is this not the case ?
Click to expand...

I would think so.

You could try to install one with one of the other keys.
All it can do is say "No", wrong key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
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    AMD K140
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    Extended Family 14
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The Win8 product keys/licenses you bought are NOT tied to any installation media.

You can use a product key with any Win8 installer as long as you trust the installation media (and its source).
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7 - Windows 8
So he can keep 1 install & delete the other 2 ?

That will free up some space. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
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Hi there
I think this issue has been addressed a few times recently. A Windows install now (it started with W7 or maybe VISTA too ) can contain all the versions of Windows -- the version that gets installed is dependent on the key you enter.

It's even possible to ADD customised images to a Windows install media -- once you enter the correct key then THAT version will be installed.

However some people just use the "Upgrade" facility from Ms - even from a pre-installed OEM W8 system you can upgrade to "Retail" W8 Pro for example by just purchasing a key from Ms -- then the upgrade will be performed over the internet so it's not always necessary to actually have physical install media.

However IF you have install media then as I said the version that gets installed is 100% dependent on the key -- not the install media which CAN be used on multiple machines (different key required for each machine of course)

Cheers
jimbo
 

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No the install media is not tied to one specific key. It checks for a valid key during install and will accept any valid product code. The product code entered determines what version is installed, Core or Pro.
 

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