How to upgrade 8.1 clean install to XP SP3 PC?

robilong

New Member
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7
Is it possible to clean install Windows 8.1 (64) upgrade to new SSD with XP SP3 OEM key in the computer case?
I have 8 Pro upgrade retail key.
Purpose is with op system also to upgrade traditional hard disk to SSD.
I have backup of files to restore later.

If there is no easier way - should it work to install :
1. reinstall XP SP3 to new SSD and activate XP
2. to run 8.1 upgrade downloaded from Microsoft on this XP PC
3. to activate Windows 8.1 using Windows 8 Pro key from retail box.

I have bought Windows 8 Pro upgrade box, which key according to some sources can now be used for 8.1 upgrade downloaded lately from MS, (as before 8.0 key was not accepted for 8.1 clean update)

The question must have been answer somewhere but I wasn't lucky enough to find reply during 1.5 hour, so I gave up :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
remove the XP HDD and clean install windows 8.1 on the SSD.. XP can not be upgraded to windows 8.. It has to be a clean install..

You can download windows 8.1 setup media (link in sig below) and use your windows 8 key..

The problem I foresee is the XP hardware and driver issues with windows 8.1 installed on a machine designed for XP, you may really want to reconsider, doing this upgrade..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
All motherboard windows 8 drivers are available.
The PC is actually 2 years old with contemporary hardware.
XP Pro was required for some old applications which is not needed any more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
well, that is good.. if you follow as suggested remove one and install the other, you could have two boot disks, XP HDD and windows 8 SSD
Then you would just have to tell the bios which disk to boot first.. You will then boot that disks OS and the other OS disk will be seen also..
To dual boot DISKS, you have to remove the one, setup the other, then install both disks and setup the bios to boot either XP HDD or windows 8 SSD first
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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