help please - downgrade win 8.1 pro with media center back to 8.1 pro

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by davidbanks, Feb 6, 2014.

  1. davidbanks

    davidbanks MDL Novice

    Aug 28, 2013
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    hi, for the first time in my life i had a legit windows, ver 8 pro with my new laptop. i immediately updated to win 8.1. sometime later i wanted to have the media center, and thinking it was just an add on i searched for a key and it downloaded and installed ok. the next reboot it told me i wasn't activated. i tried the win media key, no good, i tried my ver 8 key, no good. i then of course used the MS Tookit. I've searched a bit, but it seems i will have to reinstall to be legit again. i don't really want that hassle.

    any advice much appreciated.

    David Banks
     
  2. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    1. Buy WMC Addon key (with lowered price since you already have W81Pro) from MS and change to new legit key within Windows...
    or...
    2. Restore your backup of bit2bit cloned system drive, what you have made before updating to W81WMC...
     
  3. davidbanks

    davidbanks MDL Novice

    Aug 28, 2013
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    Thank you .. buying a key :)
     
  4. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    #5 moderate, Feb 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Hmm, there is even more easier way:

    run:
    Code:
    C:\Windows\System32\rstrui.exe
    and restore last rescue point before WMC was installed. :))
    (I think WMC installation itself creates one.)