There seems to be a lot of different answers and a lot of chaos going on so I wanted to see if someone who is really familiar with Microsoft leaks in the past can answer my question. I have a legitimate, purchased from M$ retail key for Windows 8 Pro. Since Windows 8.1 RTM is a free upgrade/update for Windows 8 users, can I download a fresh copy of the Windows 8.1 RTM and INSTALL AND ACTIVATE it with that same Windows 8 key... If I have to install with a different key and then change the key via command prompt to activate, can someone tell me why this is? Thank you for the answers!
Please see and read this thread answers is there: forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/47459-LEAK-MICROSOFT-WINDOWS-8-1-RTM-X86-x64-ENGLISH-DVD-WZT
So, if I can understand the top of that post correctly, I should be able to use my legitimate key..is that correct mtrai? Is that how you read that?
I thought I answered your question in another thread.. I used retail to activate, and a GVLK key (generic key from MS) to install. That does not mean it needed it, it is just what I did. Your real retail key will activate it, however MS does not offer support any longer for you since they have not released 8.1 and will not until OCT. The reason I add that last part is, a have a friend who's sister is MS phone support and people are complaining to them that they are having difficulties activating their 8.1. She has been instructed to tell them that if they have in fact installed 8.1 they void their support since what they have is an illegally obtained copy of 8.1 that has yet to be released. She says they are getting a lot of hangups after that hahaa
NP, I refuse to call MS for anything, especially activation lol. After I slmgr /ipk KEY-INPUT-HERE it was activated before I had a chance to click "system/activate" or anything heh.
What if i have a retail upgrade key? do i need to edit the registry for the clean install with upgrade method or just slmgr ipk my upgrade key once setup is done?