Solved will legit windows 8.1 pro key activate windows 8.1 basic

kkennyb

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hi,

my old computer has had to be be scrapped by my insurer / vendor. i'm getting a voucher for a new one from their store but it has to be a windows 10 machine,they no longer stock windows 8 machines.because i dislike windows 10, in readiness i have purchased (for about $14) a product key for win 8.1 pro. i purchased it off amazon so i'm thinking that if its not legit it will be easy to get my cash back.the vendor had glowing customer feedback. also my computer vendor will now not install or sell windows 8.1 installations.

i have a windows 8.1 clean install on a USB, made with instructions from here-i've used it successfully before but on a windows 8 machine that had the authentication key in BIOS or wherever from purchase, for windows 8.1 basic . with the USB instillation being for basic and not pro will the key, assuming that its legit, authenticate the win 8.1 basic instillation.please note i'm not bothered about the additional features of pro, i just want a working windows 8.1 basic on my new computer instead of windows 10 that will come as supplied . or will i have to get a USB installation with windows 8.1 pro?

any advise would be most appreciated.
 
Hi, if you use ShowKeyPlus, you can check the key: ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums

ShowKeyPlus is created by on of the software developers in our forums here and in TenForums(where the download and instrustions are.

Here is an example where I checked a key:
Image 004.png


And this is the first page, note you can hide the all numbers but the last four, if you need to ever post a screenshot, the last four are useless for anyone else to use:

in this example you see my installed Win10Pro key, and the other two are the original(there if it's other than an OEM) and OEM(from BIOS)
Image 005.png

Yes you can upgrade to pro if your key is legit: Add Features to Windows 8
 
If you do a change product key, and enter the Pro key, it should upgrade to Pro, reboot, and then verify the key and activate. I've done it in the past. You can't activate 8.1 Core with a Pro key, and vis versa.

If there is no key in the BIOS, on a clean install, you will be prompted to enter a Key. Enter a Pro key and Pro will be installed.
 
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