You need to have an genuine and valid Windows 8 Pro Update Key. DO NOT TRY this procedure with KMS activated copies. Don't read any further if you don't have an original Windows 8 Pro Update Key. Hi guys, I didn't find any thread about this, I don't know if it is common or old news. But today I was able to make a clean and full installation of Windows 8.1 Pro using an Update Key that a I bought a few months ago. I'm a newbie so, if everybody already know about this installation, please moderators feel free to delete this thread. First, there isn't nothing illegal about these steps, it is just to save time. A few moths ago I bought a laptop with an original Windows 7 Home Premium installed, then I bought a Windows 8 Pro update key (so I have the right to update to 8.1pro for free). Today I tried to update, but I was unable to download the installer with my Win8UpdKey. Then I saw a thread here in this forum, with the tip to download and run the windows 8 installer with my Win8UpdKey, then close the installer when "estimating" message appears and finally launch the Win8.1 installer. It did work, I did download the files and create an ISO. But when I tried to install the Win8.1 with my Win8UpdKey the installer didn't allow me. So I have to use an "generic" key to install, revert it back to my original key and activate normally. Short version: Clean Installation You need to have an original and valid Windows 8 Pro Update Key. DO NOT TRY this procedure with KMS activated windows. 1. Make an ISO or USB image of Windows 8.1 Pro 2. Boot from it 3. Type a TEMPORALLY "generic" key. (google it, the one I found ends with ****************-VT8KB) 4. Install Windows 8.1 Pro (in my test VM I just updated from Win8. With my laptop I did format my hd and did a clean installation) 5. After the installation run the command prompt as admin 6. Change windows key to your genuine update key with the command: <C:\Windows\System32\>slmgr /ipk [YOUR-WIN8-UPD-KEY] 7. Active your Windows normally (I did it online with my VM tests and by phone with my laptop)
yup we are aware of that (although many might not have seen it in other threads), so thank you for the effort. welcome to MDL
Thank you EFA11 I did suspect that you guys might be aware of it. I mean, we can found almost everything here in this forum
lol i was using window 8 pro with activator( not geniun key ) for last 8 months now on 18th October 2013 on release date of window 8.1 i went to microsoft window store and downloaded window 8.1 pro and it downloaded and installed but after installation it was not activated so i have used Windows 8.1 Product Key Finder Ultimate v13.10.1 and got fresh window 8.1 key ( this tool gives out fresh window 8.1 key on daily basis) then i have used skype to activate my key using usa option and it got activated by phone.No need of genuine product keys to activate
I'm not sure you're allowed to speak of this here. You should delete this before an admin or mod send you a red card before a ban.
one of MDL toys came home awwww lol yeah its not allowed here anymore, it will no longer be updated either. Going a better route
Uhm, I don't really know what happened for me, I did exactly everything here. Except for calling and activating or activating by pressing a activate button. My key from that cheap win 8 offer last year was activated the moment after I inserted the key by itself. And I was not connected to the Internet at all. And I performed a clean install, so it couldn't have saved the old activation that I know of atleast. Anyone that could explain to me how this happened?
BS, only two ways: activated or not activated. No way in between. period edit: for better understanding: dead or alive, that easy