Can anybody tell me the easiest way to install with my legit key Windows 8.1 with the en-US system locale. (So RSAT install in a sensible way). Will my key just work with the Retail en-US image ? (I want to do a clean install and I had loads of hassle getting it done last time. The official Microsoft way seems to involve DISM is that absolutely necessary or not. If it is can anybody tell me what I can do to just make it set in the same way as Windows Server is. I hate the language bar popping up incorrectly all the time it really annoys me). Image that I can download = en-GB What I want is en-US but so I can select United Kingdom keyboard layout etc like Server does. If I must pre set it using DISM then I need to know all the settings. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Your key will work just fine with en-us retail version. I know it from experience. In short: install Windows 8.1 en-us with its default retail key. After installation, insert your key with "slmgr /ipk <key>"
Just so I am 100% clear. My current key is a normal Windows 8 key. There is no more hoops to jump through other than just what you have said. Thanks.