URGENT: Question about 8.1 Install on HP machine Downgraded to 7

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by littledebbie, Aug 30, 2014.

  1. littledebbie

    littledebbie MDL Member

    Aug 30, 2009
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    Hi Everyone. I have limited time to do an OS rebuild and need help!

    I have an HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF computer that was shipped DOWNGRADED to Windows 7 Professional. It has the Windows 8 Pro sticker on it and there's another sticker that says "Windows 8 Pro Downgrade to 7" or something of the sort.

    I would like to use Windows 8 now...is this possible? Is there a Windows 8 key embedded into the machine that I'm entitled to use if I want?

    I cannot (for the life of me) find the HP Recovery Discs and the recovery partition has Windows 7 on it.

    What can I do to install Windows 8 and activate it, if it's possible. Is there an OEM image I need to use and not the MSDN untouched ones? Do I have to use Windows 8 media and NOT Windows 8.1 media?

    Can anyone help? Thank you so much for your time in advance!!!
     
  2. MrG

    MrG MDL Expert

    May 31, 2010
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    My GF downgraded her W8 Lenovo to W7 by contacting Lenovo & they sent her a free disk or Dl, I know it was a free downgrade though.
    You might contact HP if you want all the HP drivers & apps.
     
  3. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
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    To answer the question from my experience, all HP that I have run across that where downgraded to 7 still have the Win8 key embedded. Running a win8 disk will pull the key from the bios and install. Whether that key is accepted and activates I don't know as I never went that far.

    -ed

    Following ElDiabl0's post will let you see if the key is embedded in that system.