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Upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 with an OEM Product Key on the BIOS

Anonymous
2020-12-20T20:14:18+00:00

Recently I had a problem with my system and needed to do a system Recovery, which re-instals the Windows 8 (Core) OEM. Now, after contacting Microsoft support I've managed to make a Boot USB disk (which I did after several diferent attempts, since any were being recognized as bootable disks by this Samsung machine, until I've decided to use the same machine to produce the Boot USB disk using GPT format for UEFI boot) with Windows 8.1 ISO.

When I press Instal now, after a few seconds the installation program asks for the product key...typed the one that current Windows 8 is activated with and gives an error....Product Key not valid...please input another one and try again!...so..without a valid Installation Product Key I can't overcome this Product Key request!...what should I do? Samsung doesn't give me any support since the machine as by a long time not under guarantee, Windows 8 is not being supported by microsoft anymore, so automatic updates through Windows Update to 8.1 aren't possible anymore...so I wonder...what should I do to install Windows 8.1 on this machine? 

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-12-28T13:13:12+00:00

    I post to the English 8 and 8.1 forums all the time.

    There is a trick to doing it, which most people here do not know about.

    Read through this:

    How to clean install:

    "How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1"

    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

    Make sure that you read Section 4 about using generic keys

    If you have a retail Windows 8 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate with your Windows 8 key.

    If you have a retail Windows 8.1 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1or Windows 8.1 Update, then you are good.

    If you have an OEM Windows 8product key and want to clean install W indows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate with your OEM Windows 8 COA product key.

    If you want to clean installWindows 8 Enterprise*,W indows 8.1 Enterprise, or W indows 8.1 Update Enterprise, then you would need to change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate since Enterprise editions do not ask to enter a key at this step.*

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-21T18:28:16+00:00

    Hi Pmdscr1970

    The keys for the Pro version will not activate the standard version of Windows 8.1 and vice versa. I have no idea why the support told you that. The official web pag for downloading the ISO image is:

    Download da Imagem do Disco do Windows 8.1 (Ficheiro ISO) PT-PT

    Baixar a imagem de disco do Windows 8.1 (arquivo ISO) PT-BR

    Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File) EN-USAt the bottom of that page you have a combo box o select the edition:

    The pro or standard edition you chouse when you are installing.

    Considering that your key is still not working with the correct Microsoft ISO, then you should contact support again, because, that kind of problems, associated with keys we have no way to analise here.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-28T17:23:02+00:00

    Hi Bill,

    Suggestion: Make an article about this, it would help people looking for the answer to this problema.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-20T23:46:48+00:00

    Thank you. The ISO I have downloaded from the Microsoft official site, was the one suggested by the Microsoft support team after confirming which would correspond to my Product Key! And more...they told me that during instalation of this Windows 8.1 ISO I could choose between Home and Pro Edition, however I haven't been given that option...it assumes automatically an edition (don't know which) and it asks for the Product Key...which doesn't work! I guess I have to contact Microsoft again for some solution different from obvious ones!

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-12-20T23:22:43+00:00

    Hi Pmdscr1970

    Verify that you are installing the correct version for the product key you have. After verifying that if you still cannot install, contact Microsoft Support Directly.

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