Windows 8.1, OEM and RETAIL

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by aquarius84, Oct 9, 2013.

  1. aquarius84

    aquarius84 MDL Member

    Oct 3, 2012
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    Hello!!
    I downloaded the leaked ISOs from MSDN, x86 and x64.
    Then I tried to boot them on a notebook with original uefi license. They boot as uefi but they ask me for a serial.
    As I know theese ISOs are the RETAIL versions. Am I right ??
    Looking inside there is no EI.CFG.


    So, I made an EI.CFG, writing "OEM" string for "Channel", put the file on the "sources" folder then re-burn whole ISO again.

    Now, it starts as uefi, it asks me which version I want (Core or Pro), and no key needed (I think it reads it from uefi).
    Am I right again??

    I tried another EI.CFG leaving black also "Channel" but it doesn't work, I got an error.

    Is there an option to have RETAIL and OEM inside an only 1 ISO ??
     
  2. evo21

    evo21 MDL Novice

    Sep 6, 2009
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    Who burns DVDs nowadays? :rolleyes:
     
  3. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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  4. aquarius84

    aquarius84 MDL Member

    Oct 3, 2012
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    @ Tito

    • If you have used MSDN/leaked official iso for 8.1, Windows installer may not be able to detect the OEM:DM key. So you need to use generic keys to install appropriate edition & after completion install your OEM:DM key. The Windows activates automatically if internet connection is available.

    I think this is what you mean for me.

    Can I ask why Windows 8 do that and Windows 8.1 don't ??

     
  5. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
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    #5 david_xross_2, Oct 9, 2013
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2013

    Because your OEM embedded key is for Windows 8 and not for Windows 8.1...If you get a Windows 8.1 key through MSDN/DreamSpark..It won't do that ;)
     
  6. aquarius84

    aquarius84 MDL Member

    Oct 3, 2012
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    Oh, ok, thanks for the reply.

    So, is it useless doing the thing i done before ?? I mean put EI.CFG with OEM string.
    I can use a clean MSDN iso, put the core-pro serial during install, then activate windows with the original key. Right ?
     
  7. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
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    Yes..Install with the generic Windows 8.1 key..afterwards Input your OEM key by running an administrator command prompt and typing slmgr -ipk XXXXX

    where XXXXX is your complete Windows 8 OEM embedded key

    You can find out your Windows 8 OEM embedded key by Belarc Advisor