Solved Is Win 8 Pro Volume license eligible for upgrade to Win 10

quoc

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Hi,

I bought a used Laptop and recently found out that it has Volume license Win 8 Pro, which does not allow for Win 8.1 Upgrade... really painful to miss out on some useful apps that only for 8.1

To make thing worst, my license seems to expire in about 6 months. Does anyone know if Volume License Win 8 Pro can be upgraded to Win 10 ?

Thanks
 
Hi... just found out that Win 8 is not to be upgraded at all!

"We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year!"
 
Volume Licensing [much the same as Enterprise] usually purchased by businesses and can have an expiration, at that point would require buying and installing a different version. About the cheapest I've seen: Windows 8 Microsoft Windows 8 Retail Microsoft Windows 8 System Builder
Be aware the System Builder/OEM version gets tied to the computer it's first installed on. The Retail version can be installed a second time on a Replacement computer, can't be on 2 computers at the same time.
 
What OS did the laptop ship with from the factory? Is there a COA sticker on it with a product code you could use to install the original version of Windows it shipped with from the factory? Don't forget to look under the battery.
 
Hi,

The laptop is a Thinkpad Helix, it has very minimal stickers on it.

Its comes with a Win 8 Pro sticker, thats it, no Windows product code. There is a Lenovo product code, which I was able to check the warranty information, which works fine but no way for me to restore to original OS either.

I think it did come with an original OEM Win 8 Pro, but someone reinstalled the laptop before selling it to me :(

I tried to reach lenovo on several forum trying to find a way to reset this to original factory, but seems no answer from anyone.

Thanks
 
The laptop is a Thinkpad Helix, it has very minimal stickers on it.
Its comes with a Win 8 Pro sticker, thats it, no Windows product code. There is a Lenovo product code, which I was able to check the warranty information, which works fine but no way for me to restore to original OS either.
I think it did come with an original OEM Win 8 Pro, but someone reinstalled the laptop before selling it to me
I tried to reach lenovo on several forum trying to find a way to reset this to original factory, but seems no answer from anyone.

One explanation:
No Windows 8 product key stickers = legitimate customers pay. Class action lawsuit? [Solved] - Windows 8 - Windows 8
More on Google Search:
https://www.google.com/search?site=...sedr...0...1c.1.64.hp..1.11.911.0.arEiHo_XmSg
 
Hi,

The laptop is a Thinkpad Helix, it has very minimal stickers on it.

Its comes with a Win 8 Pro sticker, thats it, no Windows product code. There is a Lenovo product code, which I was able to check the warranty information, which works fine but no way for me to restore to original OS either.

I think it did come with an original OEM Win 8 Pro, but someone reinstalled the laptop before selling it to me :(

I tried to reach lenovo on several forum trying to find a way to reset this to original factory, but seems no answer from anyone.

Thanks

Your product code is embedded in your BIOS. Option one here will get you install media that will read and use it. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html
If the sticker says 8 Pro download 8.1 Pro, it will use the 8.0 Pro product code. That download will let you create UEFI compatible install media. I like to use USB thumb drives myself.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html
 
Thanks for your help.

One question. I'm prepared to download the Win 8.1 ISO as you have pointed out above, and I understand that the product key will be pulled from the BIOS, so it will be automatically detected.

However there is a risk that this original version of Windows comes with the machines is a volume licensed one, which does not allow upgrade to Win 8.1. So while it can get the key from BIOS it will fail at upgrade.

Please advise if my understanding is correct? If correct, then I guess the only way to get the upgrade is to actually purchase a new Win 8 Pro.

So I Guess the question is: How do I know what is the original version is before installing the downloaded version.

Thanks!
 
The factory installed OS would not be a VL version. With Windows 8.x each PC with an OEM embedded product code each get a unique product code. Your product code will have only ever been used on your PC and will be an OEM Product code.
 
Hi,

I have successfully updated to Win 8.1 Pro without any issue! quite amazing really!

Thanks all for your help with this, would not have done it without your help.

Regard.
 
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