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Hello.
I need to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 but I don't have a product key for Windows 8.
Just a product key for Windows 7 Home Premium for which I don't have any install media.
My upgrade path is as follows:
* Windows 7 Home Premium Pre Installed (product key on base, no install media)
* Online upgrade to Windows 8
* Online upgrade to Windows 8.1
System Information:
* Windows is activated
* Product Id present
Notes:
* When I run Belarc advisor I don't have Product Key
* I have install media (DVD) for Windows 8.
* Due to virus or some other problems (which is why I want to do a fresh install) I'm not connected to the net
* Running "Refresh Your PC without affecting your files" gets error: "Insert media. Some files are missing"
* Running "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" gets error: "Insert media. Some files are missing"
Thanks in advance for your help.
UPDATE
While some of the answers helped a lot. The real problem was that I thought my Product key didn't exist. I searched my emails and I used some of the Product Key extraction tools with no luck.
It turns out that Outlook (web) is not very good at searching ( I searched: "Windows 8 product key" ).
So the answer does not seem to match the title of the question but it helped solve my problem.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Answer accepted by question author
Is there any way to find out what the subject title of such an email is. Or the from address?
Look at your emails by date. Windows 8.0 was released on the 27th October 2012. I think the promotional deal lasted the first 6 months.
My email title was "Thanks for ordering Windows 8 (order # WDxxxxxxxx)" by "Microsoft Customer Service". The xxxxxxxx is unique to the order.
* I have backup. i don't mind wipe out everything
* No recovery partition
I think I'll have to download Win7 ISO
OEM Product Key Table returns an error: Unable to open MSDM table
Retrieve your product key:
https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/#more-3188
Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image.
Download an updated copy of Windows 8.1 with Update 1 and use the instructions in the following article to reinstall it:
The new downloader allows for selection of:
⦁ Language
⦁ Windows 8.1 Version
⦁ Architecture
Hi,
Are you interested in reinstalling\keeping ALL of your preinstalled stuff, and then upgrading ?
A Clean Install of anything will cause you to lose everything except windows....
Do you still have the FACTORY RECOVERY partition on your HDD... if so, you might still be able to create the Win 7 Media....
Since you started with a Win 8 upgrade, that is what your key is for... a upgrade, which means you will need to get Win 7 back on the machine in some fashion...
You can check out this link for a Win 7 ISO if all else fails.....
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/
