Can I move from Win 8.1 to Win 10 using the free upgrade?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by Hoibie, Jan 20, 2016.

  1. Hoibie

    Hoibie MDL Novice

    Aug 13, 2010
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    Hello -

    Have a Win 8.1 PC that I moved from Windows XP Media Center and used the DAZ loader on to install/activate. I thought I'd give the free Win 10 upgrade a shot. It goes through up to the point it's prompting for the key. You cannot get by this panel with a "skip for now". The OEM key on the box when input results in an "incorrect key" response (Probably too old or you can't upgrade like this from a WMC key...).

    So I'm guessing there is probably another method to achieve success. I've dug around in here all morning - can't seem to put a finger on the step-by-step. My assumption is that I have to inject the DAZ Loader in the sequence somewhere.

    Can anyone show me the link here on MDL to move Win 8.1 (DAZ Loader) to Win 10 (DAZ Loader), please?

    Thanks all.

    Hoibie
     
  2. Wazoo

    Wazoo MDL Addicted

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  3. Hoibie

    Hoibie MDL Novice

    Aug 13, 2010
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    #3 Hoibie, Jan 20, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2016
    (OP)
    Oh wow! WHOOPS! You are absolutely right! I just now found the section referring to supported versions. My fault - so sorry to have missed it. I put Win 8.1 on this beast some time ago and actually notice now that I hadn't activated it. Otherwise I probably would have known about unsupported OSs. It is now in an unactivated state upon further review. (PS: Don't get old!)

    A couple more questions if you don't mind. Is this going to be a clean Win 10 install would you say? And then use one of the KMS emulators like KMSpico? Or how about using KMS on this unactivated Win 8.1 Pro install, then running that free upgrade kit again? Providing there is a clear free upgrade path from Win 8.1 then. I have NO DATA on this machine so I won't be worried about backing up or losing content.

    Any help appreciated. And again, I apologize for not digging deep enough.

    Hoibie
     
  4. SpeedDream

    SpeedDream MDL Addicted

    Feb 20, 2012
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    you have to use KMS and fresh install may work better, 8.1 would never activate with daz loader, you have to use mak key or 7 with daz loader.
    I did it fresh install 7 with daz loader, upgrade then fresh install to remove upgrade process crap (personal choice).
    Now every fresh install has activation automatically without any keys or cracks as long as I use same hardware and edition
     
  5. Hoibie

    Hoibie MDL Novice

    Aug 13, 2010
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    Hi - I am most thankful for your reply. One more question: I am on Win 8.1 and not Win 7. Would these same principles (install a MAK key, get activated, do free upgrade) apply to 8.1 as they do in your case with Win 7?

    Hoibie
     
  6. ctx3

    ctx3 MDL Novice

    Oct 4, 2015
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    Just install KMS in windows 8. Then upgrade and you'll have the permanent activation in Windows 10 ;)
     
  7. rpo

    rpo MDL Expert

    Jan 3, 2010
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    I believe you have to install KMS in Windows 10 to be activated.
     
  8. Hoibie

    Hoibie MDL Novice

    Aug 13, 2010
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    #8 Hoibie, Jan 22, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2016
    (OP)
    OK, here are the steps I followed to move to Win 10 Pro.


    1. Started with Win 8.1 Pro in an unactivated state.
    2. Used the latest Microsoft Toolkit 2.5.3 to install the KMS. I avoided the selection for AutoKMS.
    3. Rebooted and checked. Win 8.1 Pro is now activated.
    4. Browsed to the Win 10 upgrade page and selected "Upgrade now".
    5. Hit "Run" to bring load in the stub and the 3.2 gB download started.
    6. Takes a while but then, "We're ready to install Win 10" appears. Hit Install. This took about 1.75 hours to complete.
    7. Came to a panel where you select the various processes that you want to participate in. I chose "Customize" and turned just about everything off.
    8. One more reboot coming.
    9. {Poof!} Done and I'm sitting on the Admin login (the only account I started with).
    10. Logged in, check activation for Win 10 Pro. Done!


    So that's what I did. And it works fine. It carries forth the activation KMS from Win 8 into Win 10 with no other activation steps needed.

    Close this thread, problem is solved.

    Hoibie
     
  9. cajg

    cajg MDL Novice

    Jan 4, 2010
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    I had Windows 8.1 Pro, KMS activated, followed these steps, installed Win 10 Pro with clean install, activated automatically. 10-15 minutes, you dont have to upgrade to Win 10, that takes like, forever.

    forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/64770-How-to-upgrade-from-W7-8-1-without-going-through-the-complete-upgrade-process

    forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/64667-Windows-10-Covering-all-ACTIVATION-Processes-and-Checking-B-U-ADDED/page7?p=1153446&viewfull=1#post1153446
     
  10. genenioo

    genenioo MDL Addicted

    Oct 9, 2007
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    Congrats! A happy ending!
     
  11. rpo

    rpo MDL Expert

    Jan 3, 2010
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    #11 rpo, Jan 25, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2016
    I followed the steps indicated at post #8 installing W8.1 Pro on the second UEFI/GPT partition of my hard disk, activating with CODY's amazing Microsoft Toolkit and installing Windows 10 Pro 10240 applying an ISO image.
    After installation, Windows was activated with a MAK key.
    Going to the control panel I replaced the MAK key with the well known generic retail key (terminating with 3V66T), and now my windows has permanent activation via the RETAIL channel.
    Thanks to forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/64667-Windows-10-Covering-all-ACTIVATION-Processes-and-Checking-B-U-ADDED/page4?p=1149846&viewfull=1#post1149846
     
  12. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

    Feb 16, 2012
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    #12 lobo11, Jan 26, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2016
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