Hi guys, I just bought my parents a new Acer desktop preinstalled with Windows 8. Unfortunately, it comes with a crapload of bloatware. Since Acer does not distribute untouched Windows DVDs for Windows and, also, I have ISO's of Windows 8 / 8.1 from MSDN lying around any chance I can install that "clean" version and still have my Windows be activated? If so how would I do it? I did a quick search but I am overwhelmed with the technical info on here. I am hoping someone can tell me in laymen's terms. Regards, HMR.
Hello, Which edition you have in your Acer Laptop? Need some more info. Do you have the Windows 8 Core / Pro Product Key, I am afraid the product key is pre-bidded in your Mobo. Thanks
If the key is embedded into bios then the right windows 8 from msdn will read the key from there and install without asking for a key. Wiped wife's Toshiba laptop this way. Just make sure if it came with 8 to load 8 not 8.1 then I allowed it to get 8.1 from store. Cleanup after and make image would be my advice. If you want to load 8.1 directly then you will need to do things differently. At work so cannot fill the blanks in for that process. There is a tool in the stickies above to capture your oem key from bios.
So all I need is the Windows 8 (not 8.1) DVD from MSDN... it should recognize the embedded key from the BIOS and use the appropriate key without asking me? Then upgrade to 8.1 using the Windows store? Any way I can check if the key is embedded into the BIOS before I try it?
Yes Yes and Yes as I said there is a tool in the stickies above that can read the OEM key from the bios. Try a little research now I have given you the nudge.