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Installing windows 8.1 pro on a new computer system build using product key from old computer

Anonymous
2013-12-04T11:35:23+00:00

I have an old amd sempron computer build that I managed to upgrade from windows xp to windows 8 pro on a 320 GB 5400 rpm hard drive when Microsoft offered windows 8 on sale for US$40.  When I bought my licence, I installed windows 8 pro from a bootable usb flash drive from the 32 bit iso. I have since upgraded to windows 8.1 pro without issues.

I recently bought components for a completely new budget intel build consisting of an i3-3240 with a 1 TB 7200 rpm hard drive. This new system will be 64 bit.  Is it possible to install windows 8 pro on my new hard drive using the license from my old hard drive?

This new build would replace my old amd computer, so its not a matter of having two computers using the same license. I just want to install windows 8.1 pro on my new build using my old license.****Is there a way to deactivate my licence on my old machine and use my product key to install windows 8.1 pro?

If this is possible how do I go about doing this?

Thanks so much for your help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T21:07:33+00:00

    All Windows 8 versions are upgrade (Except the OEM (System Builder)) and as such require that either Windows XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7  be Installed install AT THE TIME Windows 8.0 is installed. So the answer is no. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-10T16:22:17+00:00

    All Windows 8 versions are upgrade (Except the OEM (System Builder)) and as such require that either Windows XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7  be Installed install AT THE TIME Windows 8.0 is installed. So the answer is no. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

    So I am going to have to reinstall windows xp pro -32 bit again on my new computer build with a new hard drive before i can reinstall 64 bit windows 8.1 pro?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-13T12:19:31+00:00

    As I stated above, Windows 8.0 requires that a previous version of Windows must be installed on the computer at the time of Windows 8.0. The upgrade to Windows 8.0 will be 32 bit and in order to get the Windows 8.1 free you must  upgrade from the store and that will be 32 bit. Sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear. It looks Like if you want 64 bit you will have purchase Windows 8.1. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-13T10:41:56+00:00

    Yes,  Unless you want to buy the OEM (System Builder) . Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

    Wouldn't my windows xp product key/license be "used up/invalid" since I already upgraded my copy of windows xp to windows 8, then to 8.1?

    If I install windows xp 32 bit on my new 64 bit machine wouldn't I just end up with windows 8 32 bit installer again? I need windows 8.1 64 bit for my new machine.  If I remember correctly, you only got an installer based on the operating system you are currently running.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-12-10T17:14:18+00:00

    Yes,  Unless you want to buy the OEM (System Builder) . Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

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