I work for a repair shop and we often get people who want a full wipe and clean OS install on their laptops. Most of them use Windows 8.0 and not 8.1 for some reason. One way or another Windows 8 key is embedded into their BIOS and we just try Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro to figure out which Windows 8 they have. If we select the right Windows 8 version, a window that asks for product key during install will NOT show up. However, at times we do get 8.1 machines and customers are just un-aware of their versions. I can find and get Windows 8.1 AIO that includes updates up to September. But what about Windows 8.0 updated all the way to September? I've never seen a single version release like that, let alone AIO release of Windows 8.0 updated! Because of the embedded key version, we have no choice but to install Windows 8.0 instead of 8.1 on many machines. Having to go through INSANE number of updates after raw Windows 8.0 installation takes several hours. An updated Windows 8.0 AIO or at least stand-alone versions would be of HUGE help! Another question is - is there a tool that can detect version of Windows 8/8.1 product key? I don't need the key, but a tool that would identify the exact Windows 8/8.1 version embedded into system BIOS would be so awesome!
latest W8 versions on TechNet or MSDN are dated 8/15/2012. All updates that came along later are not included
Are you saying you can install Windows 8.1 on wiped/clean/formatted systems with BIOS/motherboard-embedded Windows 8.0 OEM keys? There is no generic key or let's put it this way - there is no customer with Windows 8-embedded BIOS machine that knows their generic key. I am simply trying to make it easier I am still AMAZED at the fact there nobody can come up with the one and truly needed tool - a program like Windows Update that can download all the updates, scan the system for needed/superseded ones and install the right ones! Windows Update is only good for one machine. Once we move on to the next customer, that next customer's machine has to re-download all the updates all over again. I want to have all the updates downloaded and PRESERVED to be used on many people's machines. Why is there no such tool?!?!?! It would save so much time... I only need that for Windows 8 and 8.1 because we have updated Deployment Server Images for Windows 7. Our Network Admins can't figure out how to make Windows 8 work with our deployment, so low-level techies like me are forced to use Windows 8 CD's...
What I have read is about the detection. Using W8 Key in W81 with PID.txt - is this tested / confirmed? Anyway he also can install with ei.cfg and so on stuff.
LOL! When something sounds too good to be true - it usually is. If Windows Update tells you to re-download and apply updates already installed through this tool, then I can't use it because customers will be very frustrated about not being able to finish updating their OS and I will never know which updates were properly applied and which ones were not... I hope more work on this tool will eventually make it work and be usable by PC repair techs like me! If I could at least point Windows Update to look for downloaded (but not applied) updates through my USB drive, where I'd keep all the available updates, so it wouldn't have to re-download them, then that alone would save so much time!
Nothing wrong with tool. It just downloads the updates, and dism integrates them for you. Which update is it? Can't remember with 8.0, but 8.1 wants to install what appears to be the same update, even after you already integrated it. It isn't the exact same update, but they use the same kb number.
I still can't belive that the W8 Key does not work to install W8.1. I belive you all but I don't understand it. The Key-Check should include the same SKUs as in the Windows-Setup envirionment.
Although MS is trying to get all Win 8 users to Win 8.1 it seems the intention is that users go the Win Store Upgrade route .
Huh ... Stardock, really (i even refuse to maintain friends systems when any Stardock is installed)? When paying for a replacement i can only recommend StartIsBack+ . As it seems Win 8/8.x was a field study as they changed that in next Windows version, there is an option in WU to upgrade to higher builds.
Store Upgrade requires one update only: KB2871389 and must be installed online, after reboot you simply use Run command (Win+R): ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade