My store manager says it can't be done, but I feel there's a way...the problem is of course 8.1 requires different product keys than 8.0 -- where upgrading to 8.1 also changes the product key -- so 8.0 install media won't take 8.1 keys and visa-versa. So when you only have an 8.0 key, you have to first install 8.0 and then upgrade to 8.1; this is a bit weird because 8.1 is essentially a service pack; first "8.1", then "Update 1", what's next for the rebranding of service packs? I can only fathom they did this to cement their new "rapid release" cycle for consumer editions of Windows. Note: "Easily activate" means not having to call Microsoft to fix the activation.
I did read this, but I've been told 8.1 install media reject OEMM keys for 8.0, which is why he's asking for 8.0 DVDs. However, I am including the various tools you linked into the UEFI multiboot tool I've been working on and plan to release by 2015 (which my shop "tests").
far too easy. Admittedly we were stumped at first with 8.1 on 8 machines. Now it is as said, install 8.1 on 8 machine with 8.1 gvlk key and then change key to the 8 machines key after install and activate. I always wonder how it is we take the hard road first and then find the shortcut after we already made it to our destination hehe
That's what we tried doing, but I think it didn't work specifically with retail 8.0 keys, perhaps upgrade keys, where there'd be no OEMM key. But again this is what I've just been hearing; they refuse to help me test it and I've been swamped updating their tools in such a way I can release something soon for ya'll. And regarding the OEMM key I wasn't quite sure on: if you have a 8.0 OEMM key and are installing 8.1 using Windows Setup, do you need to backup & wipe the OEMM key to make sure Windows Setup doesn't use it?
I would write a script that does this: slmgr.vbs ipkinsert the gvlk key here) I would first install 8.1 using a network install then use the above script to put the 8.0 key back into effect. After that I'd use KMS with its usual task
Huh ... sorry, but: #1. After Tito linked to the thread with all needed info, you quoted his post by linking to a thread that is in no way related to the problem of the OP. #2. OP is already wrong with the assumption that Win 8 Retail and OEMM keys don't work on Win 8.1, they do. #3. No-one is talking about KMS.