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