Solved Windows 8 Pro license transfer a new Windows 8.1 computer?

DMGrier

DMGrier

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Hello Everyone,
So I don't even know if this is possible or how I could go about doing this. Last year I bought a Windows 8 Pro upgrade disc we used to upgrade our machines from Windows 7 home Premium to 8 Pro. Is it possible for me to use that same upgrade product key for Windows 8 Pro on 8.1 so I could have a Pro version of 8.1? The computer I originally did the upgrade on I am no longer using and is there a way to deactivate the license on that one so it could be used on the new computer I bought? Also I just want the extra's of the Pro version so does it matter it is the license for Windows 8 even though the new computer uses 8.1? Thanks for any input.
 
Windows 8.1 Core, I am wanting to if possible transfer the 8 Pro license which the product key is from a upgrade disc I bought. from my old computer to the new one if possible.
 
Is it possible for me to use that same upgrade product key for Windows 8 Pro on 8.1 so I could have a Pro version of 8.1?
Click to expand...

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

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/10837-windows-8-eula.html

microsoft said:
Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new
Click to expand...
 
So if I am not wanting to do a fresh install all I have to do is go under control panel> System and Security> System and then click on "change product key" and type in the product key from my Windows 8 Pro upgrade disc correct? That is what I am getting since I am not needing to do a fresh install, I am just checking so I don't do something and mess it up.
 
How to transfer Windows 8/8.1 license to new computer.

Note: This Windows 8.1 installation media accepts Windows 8/8.1 product keys, both OEM and retail (for example, "Windows 8 Pro $15/$40 Upgrade Offer" product key).

1. Create installation media for Windows 8.1

- The Windows Installation Media Creation Tool works on Windows 7/8/8.1/10.
- The download succeeds without product key.
- Both the 64-bit installation media (USB flash drive and DVD) can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode. Both the 64-bit installation media are also compatible with Secure Boot.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
-or-
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Create installation media 1.png

Create installation media 2.png

Create installation media 3.png

Select either USB flash drive or ISO file (see screenshot below).

Note: You need at least 8 GB USB flash drive (if you select option "USB flash drive").

Create installation media 4.png

Create installation media 5.png

If you previously selected the ISO file option and once the ISO file is created, select the Open DVD burner option (see screenshot below).

Create installation media 8.png

2. Uninstall current installed product key.

Before you install Windows 8.1 to a new computer, you will need to uninstall current installed product key from your old computer.

> OPTION ONE <

Delete the old Windows installation, for example:

- Boot the computer using the Windows 7/8/8.1 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

> OPTION TWO <

Uninstall product key from your computer's registry (see screenshot below).

Open the command prompt as administrator and type (or copy and paste) the following command.

slmgr /upk

Uninstall product key.png

3. Clean install Windows 8.1 from USB/DVD.

Enter your Windows 8/8.1 product key (see screenshot below).

Note: If the Windows 8.1 installer does not accept your Windows 8/8.1 product key, it means that you have the wrong installation media.

Enter the product key .png

4. When Windows 8.1 is installed, check to see if Windows is activated.

If your Windows is activated successfully, you will not see Activate Windows in the PC Settings.

Activate Windows 1.png

The activation page shows the following message (see screenshot below):

This product key is being used on another PC. Please try a different key.

Note: Click on the Call support option (see screenshot below).

Note: The activation robot asks you how many PC's you have installed Windows on. The correct answer is number 1.

This product key is being used on another PC.png

Activation robot 1.png

Activation robot 2.png

Activation robot 3.png

Other instructions.

- Installing using UEFI boot mode or Legacy BIOS boot mode. -> link
- How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

The activation page does not show the "Call support" option.

This happens when you install Windows 8.1 using the Windows 8.1 generic product key.

Click on the Enter key option (see screenshot below) and enter your Windows 8/8.1 product key.

Activate Windows 2.png

You will see the following error message (see screenshot below): This key didn't work, please check it and try again, or try a different key.

Click on the Cancel and now you will see the Call support option.

This key didn't work, please check it and try again, or try a different key.png
 
Last edited:
Well I just got off the phone with Microsoft, so basically I will have to do a clean install of my Windows 8 Pro and then upgrade to 8.1, complete crap. They said they would not give me a new product key for my disc, that I will have to downgrade and then upgrade.
 
I am going to do it tomorrow, a clean install of Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit and then I will update to 8.1 even though I do feel this is a load of crap. They verified on the phone I have a legit copy of Windows 8 Pro that I can transfer, don't see why they could give me a new key. Whatever though it will be done tomorrow.
 
I bought a Toshiba P50t laptop with 8.1 Core pre-installed. I had an 8.0 Pro key which I had bought 17 months ago.
Following theog post #14, my key was accepted and it upgraded the P50t to 8.1 Pro.

I was a bit surprised it did as I had used that key on another Toshiba P840 laptop, with 8.0 Core pre-installed, that I bought one year ago.
On that one, I had used the Pro key, which worked. Sometime later, I upgraded to 8.1 & it was still Pro.

A couple of months ago, I had to restore the P840 from the Restore Partition, so it was back to 8.0 Core.

I bought the P50t laptop and was surprised when the key was accepted with no problems at all.
 
An update: Not as smooth as I thought. After doing the above, when I found that Windows was not activated & went to activate, a message said that the key was already in use. I phoned Microsoft & it took 40 minutes before a new key was entered and activated OK.

At first, the Microsoft operator said I would have to buy a new key, seeing that the Pro key is being used. I explained that the Pro key had been installed on a laptop that, one month ago, had been restored using the Factory Restore partition. That meant that it's original OEM key is activated on that laptop & the Pro key was no longer on it. She then said that the Pro key was activated 15 minutes before & that I had exceeded the number of activations. I pointed out that the activation attempt 15 minutes ago was from the attempt to activate it on the new laptop.

She continued to say I needed to buy a new key. We argued, politely, back and forth for a while before I was able to convince her that the Pro key would not be used on the old laptop. I was starting to feel like I was being thought of a little dishonest.

She got me to run an applet which allowed her to take control of my laptop & she entered a big long string of letters & numbers.

I would say that she would have checked to see if my Windows was genuine, which it is.

I now have 8.1 core, elevated to Pro, using a 8.0 Pro key.

Did a image backup with Macrium Reflect. If I ever have to do a factory Restore on this laptop, I can then load on the Macrium to get me back to the Pro key. Do not want to go through that with Microsoft again.
 
Start Windows 8 installer (http://aka.ms/Win8ISO), enter your Windows 8 product key, cancel download at 1%, start Windows 8.1 installer (http://aka.ms/Win81ISO), download Windows 8.1, select "install by creating media" now select USB flash drive (if you have a USB stick) or ISO file (if you prefer discs).

Now when you install, use generic Windows 8.1 key "XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB", once installed you'll notice that you have to activate Windows, go to charms bar, click Settings>Change PC Settings>Activate Windows, enter your Windows product key.
 
OK, this is it?

Hi,


This is how I did it?


a. I do have a OEM DVD Windows 8 Pro (with x86/x64 system)
b. A 30-days old computer of a customer with corrupt recovery part.
This computer (HP 655 Notebook PC / c4x99ea#uuw) was shipped with preinstalled Windows 8 core

c. Booted up the oem-win8pro
d. Legacy boot
e. Install everything, it did not asked for production keys
f. It just went on, and when I chk windows activation it was already OK and the windows 8 core...????
 
Last edited:
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