Is there a way to easily activate a fresh install of 8.1 on a 8.0 system?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by generalmx, Nov 4, 2014.

  1. generalmx

    generalmx MDL Novice

    Apr 15, 2014
    34
    21
    0
    #1 generalmx, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    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.
     
  2. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
    18,682
    18,581
    340
  3. Smorgan

    Smorgan Glitcher

    Mar 25, 2010
    1,855
    1,051
    60
  4. generalmx

    generalmx MDL Novice

    Apr 15, 2014
    34
    21
    0
    #4 generalmx, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    (OP)
    I did read this, but I've been told 8.1 install media reject OEM:DM 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").
     
  5. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
    18,682
    18,581
    340
  6. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
    8,719
    6,741
    270
    #6 EFA11, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    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
     
  7. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
    18,682
    18,581
    340
  8. generalmx

    generalmx MDL Novice

    Apr 15, 2014
    34
    21
    0
    #8 generalmx, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    (OP)
    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 OEM:DM 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 OEM:DM key I wasn't quite sure on: if you have a 8.0 OEM:DM key and are installing 8.1 using Windows Setup, do you need to backup & wipe the OEM:DM key to make sure Windows Setup doesn't use it?
     
  9. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
    16,104
    24,378
    340
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  10. Smorgan

    Smorgan Glitcher

    Mar 25, 2010
    1,855
    1,051
    60
    #10 Smorgan, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    I would write a script that does this:

    slmgr.vbs ipk:(insert 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
     
  11. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
    16,104
    24,378
    340
    #11 s1ave77, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
    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 OEM:DM keys don't work on Win 8.1, they do.

    #3. No-one is talking about KMS.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...