Good evening everyone. I'm new to these forums but have found a lot of information on here. Please forgive me if this information has been posted somewhere. Here is my question: In older versions of Windows, I was able to get a OEM clean version of the Windows OS and create a CD/DVD of it. I would boot from that CD and install the OS using the license key on the side of the case. I realize that Windows 8 uses a new activation method but I'm wondering what would be involved in having a similar setup like this for Windows 8. I have already run into a problem with an ASUS desktop system that doesn't even have an option to create recovery media. Again, please forgive me if this question has already been answered but I have tried to find an answer and may have missed it.
Use a clean MSDN ISO, the Setup if you boot from USB/DVD will detect a Key inside your UEFI (if it came shipped with Windows 8) en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso 32bit en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso 64bit
Wow, thank you for the information. I was actually downloading those two already. Will it also detect if I use a DVD as well?
Hi I got a HP laptop with windows 8 core edition preinstalled in UEFI mode. I tried reinstalling windows to have windows 8 pro but it never asked me for the product key and reinstalled the core edition. How could I install the pro edition (VLK one) ? I used the ISO I got here on MDL, not any installation media provided by HP. My problem is that when installing, it never asks for a product key
It doesnt matter, you can always change from Retail to VL/VL to Retail inside windows with "slmgr /ipk Key"
Will this work with all pre-installed systems like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, etc? To clarify, I simply create a bootable media via those two ISOs that you posted (x86 or x64) and when I boot from CD on a system with a pre-installed Windows 8 key it will simply install the appropriate version?
I don't have a OEM Machine to test and clarify it exactly but: If you use the ei.cfg it will let you choose the Version you install but I don't know if it will use the default Key or use the MSDM Key (if applicable) If you don't use the ei.cfg and there is a Key inside the ACPI MSDM of the Mainboard the Setup will automaticly install with it, if there is no key you will get prompted for a Key and it will match the Version with the Key you enter, so you get Pro when you enter a Pro key etc
If I remember correctly, the installation would also give your an error msg saying your key is not correct even if the edition you want to install match with your OEM Key. Edit: Correct my previous post, after I double confirm it in my lab, The installation would really automatically detect the OEM key without any error. (only for Core and PRO edition)
Have you tried this before? I know I'm going to come across this soon enough and wanted to see what the process would be.
Actually,there are plenty of posts relating to how to deploy a fresh install on OA3.0 embedded machine, the most important you need to do is to find out the OEM key which is stored in MSDM table. So let us know if you have successfully installed your clean OS on that machine?
I ended up imaging the drive onto the SSD but I know this will come up in the future. If I were to pull the hard drive out and run a key finder on the hard drive, would I be able to recover the license key that way?
iam also having hp pavilion 6-6 windows 8 preinstalled. but I want to fresh install win 8 I already downloaded (en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso 64bit) did it worked for you, please reply cause I really don't want do format my system with recovery medias because they really take a lot of time to install
This is for preserving the activation. If I didn't take these steps how would I go about activating the installation?