Complicated Dell/Windows 8/Secure Boot Issue

By JustinTime
in Hardware Hangout

 Share

Recommended Posts

Community Regular

JustinTime

Posted
Posted

Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

Mentor

SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

Probably has something to do with the certificate used to make the UEFI SecureBoot work. Your Dell machine likely only has the certificate to make an Dell-specific copy of Windows work with secureboot, so really the only way to make it work again given that constraint is reinstall your OEM Window copy from the recovery disks (if you got them).

Unless I'm completely misunderstanding how SecureBoot works.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

Are you using a full windows 8 disc or the upgrade disc?

Community Regular

JustinTime

Posted
  • Author
Posted

In case anyone has a similar issue, the Windows 8 Home 64-bit DVD worked perfectly. I restored UEFI and SecureBoot, popped the disc in and it automatically began the installation process with SecureBoot enabled. If anyone buys a Dell, call and request the DVD so you can format without hassle. Thanks for helping, Sharp.

Mentor

SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

In case anyone has a similar issue, the Windows 8 Home 64-bit DVD worked perfectly. I restored UEFI and SecureBoot, popped the disc in and it automatically began the installation process with SecureBoot enabled. If anyone buys a Dell, call and request the DVD so you can format without hassle. Thanks for helping, Sharp.

You're welcome :)

Mentor

SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

Ya I think the upgrade disc was your issue. You need a full version disc. It doesn't have to be from dell.

It does have to be from Dell if Dell's keys are the only ones that UEFI recognizes on his machine.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

It does have to be from Dell if Dell's keys are the only ones that UEFI recognizes on his machine.

IF that is the case then yes. But we won't know if that's the case and I doubt it was. He was just using an update disc. At least on an HP probook which came with windows 8 preinstalled I reinstalled using a pro disc on a new drive. It never asked for a key and it activated by itself.

Mentor

SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

IF that is the case then yes. But we won't know if that's the case and I doubt it was. He was just using an update disc. At least on an HP probook which came with windows 8 preinstalled I reinstalled using a pro disc on a new drive. It never asked for a key and it activated by itself.

I was just reading about how the SecureBoot thing works with Win8, and it seems MS leaves it up to OEM to make the keys. I would also guess that different OEMs use different processes. I really don't know.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

I was just reading about how the SecureBoot thing works with Win8, and it seems MS leaves it up to OEM to make the keys. I would also guess that different OEMs use different processes. I really don't know.

I would think there would be a pretty standard process. I don't think it matters the OEM. If it mattered it would be a repair nightmare with out a sticker. Seeming my experience with a clean install it worked just as i hoped it would.

Apprentice

Empyrean Glow

Posted
Posted

The embedded key will match whichever version of 8 shipped with the PC. A downloaded 'Core/Home' disc would have installed and been automatically activated, just the same as the OEM disc shipped to you by Dell.

I know this because I, too, just purchased a Dell system and jumped through the same hoops. A DigitalRiver .iso installed and auto-activated exactly the same as the Dell OEM disc I had them mail me.

Grand Master

spaceelf

Posted
Posted

Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc.

Just for future reference

http://blogs.msdn.co...et-your-pc.aspx

Our solution in Windows 8 consists of two related features:

  • Reset your PC ? Remove all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.
  • Refresh your PC ? Keep all personal data, Metro style apps, and important settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.

I don't think you needed to reinstall manually at all.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • Researchers claim Microsoft's quantum breakthrough is flawed by basic Python errors

      By +pmrd · Posted

      Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
    • Ventoy 1.1.15

      By Copernic · Posted

      Ventoy 1.1.15 is out.
    • Win11Debloat 06.24.2026

      By Copernic · Posted

      Win11Debloat 06.24.2026 by Razvan Serea Win11Debloat is a lightweight, easy to use PowerShell script that allows you to quickly declutter and customize your Windows experience. It can remove pre-installed bloatware apps, disable telemetry, remove intrusive interface elements and much more. The script also includes many features that system administrators and power users will enjoy. Such as a powerful command-line interface, support for Windows Audit mode and the option to make changes to other Windows users. All changes made by Win11Debloat can be easily reversed, and most removed apps can be restored via the Microsoft Store. A full guide on how to undo the changes is available here. Win11Debloat features: Below is an overview of the key features and functionality offered by Win11Debloat. Please refer to the wiki for more information about the default settings preset. Remove a wide variety of preinstalled apps. Click here for more info. Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads. Disable tips, tricks, suggestions & ads across Windows. Disable Windows location services & app location access. Disable Find My Device location tracking. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' and tips & tricks on the lock screen. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' desktop background option. Disable ads, suggestions and the MSN news feed in Microsoft Edge. Hide Microsoft 365 ads on the Settings 'Home' page, or hide the 'Home' page entirely. Disable & remove Microsoft Copilot. Disable Windows Recall. Disable Click to Do, AI text & image analysis tool. Prevent AI service (WSAIFabricSvc) from starting automatically. Disable AI Features in Edge. Disable AI Features in Paint. Disable AI Features in Notepad. Disable the Drag Tray for sharing & moving files. Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. Turn off Enhance Pointer Precision, also known as mouse acceleration. Disable the Sticky Keys keyboard shortcut. Disable Storage Sense automatic disk cleanup. Disable fast start-up to ensure a full shutdown. ...and more. Once you’ve downloaded the Win11Debloat file (Get.ps1), just follow these quick steps: Locate the Get.ps1 script file. Right-click the file and select Run with PowerShell from the context menu. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), select Yes to grant the script the necessary administrative permissions. Win11Debloat 06.24.2026 changelog: With this release, the legacy app list generator and CustomAppsList file support is removed. This only affects users using legacy command-line methods. More info here: #664 Features & Improvements Clean up styling to better match Windows fluent design guidelines by @Raphire in #638 Add GPO override warning alert and WhatIf dry-run previews by @HetCreep in #611 Disable telemetry-related scheduled tasks under Microsoft\Windows by @HetCreep in #615 Guard against loading, saving & executing undefined features by @Raphire in #665 Simplify Window management & update minimum window sizes by @Raphire in #671 Update start menu backup/restore with timestamped filenames by @Raphire in #672 Clean up feature execution logic for readability by @Raphire in #641 Clean up & improve app removal methods, remove legacy CLI app removal methods by @Raphire in #662 Remove support for CustomAppsList file format, including -RemoveAppsCustom and -RunAppsListGenerator parameters Update CLI app removal to use newer app removal methods Drop support for sunset apps (Fitbit, Shazam, Twitter, Viber, Wunderlist, XING) and Plex Fix removal of Microsoft Copilot Fixes Fix: Replace P/Invoke dynamic DLL imports with WPF native methods to fix temp DLL access-denied errors by @Raphire in #661 Fix Start Menu apps not being set correctly for all users when running script for other user by @Raphire in #637 Fix store suggestions not getting disabled correctly for all users when running as other user by @Raphire in #642 Fix: Respect Feature min/max version for comboboxes by @Raphire in #639 Fix: Don't treat AllUsers/CurrentUser as a username at startup by @HetCreep in #647 Fix: treat dismissed unsafe-removal confirmation as decline by @HetCreep in #651 Fix: Surface runspace errors instead of swallowing them in GUI mode by @HetCreep in #655 Fix: Correct sub-key path matching in backup allow-list validation by @HetCreep in #645* Fix: Detect WinGet uninstall failures by exit code, not English text by @HetCreep in #658 Fix: Detect installed OneDrive in the "Only show installed" filter by @HetCreep in #656 Download: Win11Debloat 06.24.2026 | Open Source View: Win11Debloat Home Page | Screenshots 1| 2 Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Age of Empires Mobile comes to PC, here's how to carry over progress from your phone

      By +pmrd · Posted

      Age of Empires Mobile PC Version The Band The Show The Movie
    • The official Funny Pictures thread

      By +Warwagon · Posted

      never mind the video had a couple swear words... gosh it was funny!

  • Recent Achievements

    • Grand Master
      Jaybonaut went up a rank
      Grand Master
    • One Year In
      Philsl earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Dedicated
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • First Post
      Tom Schmidt earned a badge
      First Post
    • One Month Later
      D0nn13 earned a badge
      One Month Later

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      416
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      173
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      125
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      77
    5. 5
      Xenon
      76
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!