Hello, Recently i have purchased Lenovo laptop. I got Windows 8 Pro and have upgraded it to Windows 8.1 using Windows store. in future if i want to reinstall my machine, i have to reinstall windows 8 and then again upgrade it to windows 8.1 via store. is there anyway that i can save my Activation copy and directly reinstall Windows 8.1 Pro ?
Get a Unmodified copy of Windows 8.1 - insert the media - boot to media and Clean install.... The Bios sees the Key and installs then Activates.
Correct about the Utilities but drivers! Most of the drivers will be installed by Windows because also Lenovo use most of the generic drivers. Most important would be the NIC and/or WiFi driver for to be able to connect to the Internet to all of the missing drivers, which I believe will be just very few!
I got the serial key from the thread http://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/40897-Guide-to-preserve-Windows-8-x-OEM-Activation but when i installed windows 8.1 with professional ( downloaded from MSDN), its not allowing me to use the same key which i got from windows 8 professional edition.
@ JanCerny Seems you refused to read carefully . Restoring the Recovery partition would defeat the intention of a clean Win 8.1 install, due to it is a Win 8 Recovery as stated inh OP. He already captured the key though. No need to post the keys publicily, as scandal1981 already linked to them . @ OP Activation backup became bitchy to transfer from Win 8 to 8.1 due to several slight changes. You should still be able to activate Win 8.1 with your key. The worst that can happen: you'll need to use phone activation.
Why? This is general product keys from Microsoft. Microsoft designed it for installation only (or add features like upgrade from Core to Pro) and it can't be used for activation.
take s1ave77's message as granted. he knows what he's talking about. It is matter of rules and don't ask why
Yes, thank you. We've got a DMCA takedown request for the w8 generic keys some months ago, I myself also don't know what's the point....the owner of MDL decided to comply, though....
Holy - KMS Micro, direct links to download Windows images from Mega etc. are legit (for DMCA) and Generic installations keys (which are public) is not legit. DMCA is really crazy.
Downloading windows iso advertise their product in so manners but in absence of install product key (generic installation key) MS think that it will led people to buy product key. Remember that all downloaders of windows iso are not as smart as a few people in the market, I guess MS think so.
Actually Microsoft is expecting you to get their Product Keys or their products through their site or through their channel. Just to follow their protocol right?