I don't believe your supposed to be able to do this, but I did. I tried before installing all the Win 8.1 updates bringing it up to 17031and it would not, but on a wim I tried again after installing all the 8.1 updates and it worked, cool now I have a fresh install of Win 8.1 in case Microshaft pulls a sneaky on patch day. I don't trust system restore, Have used Acronis True Image for years and never had a problem, have a backup of partition but so many days have passed since then, well that's the main reason for installing 8.1 again, just in case.
Could you please use normal size of Font's? Many users like myself didn't having magnifier eye's!! Normally there wouldn't be a problem to use the same version of Windows twice and maybe more on the exact same hardware! If there would be different hardware in use, that would force problems!
Depends on how MS identifies machines/installs. I used to think that if the HW hash is the same then it won't cause problems. But maybe MS also checks on the install specific id?
This is a retail copy of 8.1, retail key, I think somehow all that 8.1 update stuff I installed had something to do with it as it would not work before I installed them, and did after.
Doesn't matter, installation id will be different when you install 2nd os on different partition. Phone activation doesn't care about your hardware or install id, it just makes sure the key hasn't been activated too often. slui 4
Someone's missing something, I have the same OS Widows 8.1, from same DVD ROM, same key, same computer, 2 times, different partitions, that's my dual boot. The only thing different is on one Win 8.1, it has the spring update, the other Win 8.1, same DVD ROM does not, same product key, everywhere I've looked says the Retail Key can only be used once, not 2 times like I have.
After sudden installation count within some time frame of 6 or even 12 month, you'll have to use the phone activation. There isn't an limit how often you could activate using the same P-Key! Even if used different hardware, activation could still be done! It's maybe just about how to talk to the MS-Staff, if that's needed and depend on your own explanation!!