Hello, i did quite a bit of reading, but i am still confused: I want to do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 an a Notebook that came with Windows 8 When i install Windows 8, the key stored in BIOS is automatically detected and Win8 will be activated after install. Will this also work when i install win8.1? If not, is there anything i can do to get a clean Win8.1 installation that will activate?
No it won't work with windows 8.1. You need WZT multiple editions ISO(links in windows 8.1 repository), and ei.cfg file which you put in sources directory of your windows 8.1 installation media). This will allow you to install windows 8.1 without product key, which you need to enter after installation in order to activate windows. I attached ei.cfg file for you. Make sure you dump your windows 8 key before reinstalling system. Good luck.
I all worked fine in a nutshell: Install win8.1 with added ei.cfg and enter no key later when all is done, enter key extracted from bios. There are several tools that can extract the win8 key from the bios. it will activate when entered in win8.1 install after the install is done.