Can I reinstall Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 media?


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I'm helping my uncle with his laptop. It has Windows 8.1 on it and plenty of crapware. I'd like to reinstall Windows 8.1, however I only have a Windows 8 install media. I extracted the key with WinKeyFinder and tried to get the installation media through here, but it tells me the key is invalid. EDIT: ok WinKeyFinder doesn't support Windows 8 and returns crap. I used Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder, which returns the real thing; now the Microsoft installer tells me that key can't be used a commercial installation of Windows 8.1.

 

That said, I suppose the key is embedded in the BIOS (this is an Acer Ultrabook), the only question is whether that'll work with a Windows 8 installation media. If not, how can I legitimately get a Windows 8.1 installation media?

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Well, forget it, looks like no. The only legitimate way to do that would be to contact Microsoft apparently. I just uninstalled everything manually, things are not so bad now.

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Unfortunately, nope. Windows 8 and WIndows 8.1 are two different OSes, even though it's just a .1 increase. 

 

One thing. If WIndows 8 came with the computer, and it supports UEFI, it's highly probable that the key is bundled into the motherboard! So no need of extracting it. 

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Just re-install Windows 8 and then re-download 8.1 from the Windows Store. I've done it multiple times, it works flawlessly.

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have you tried clean installing w8.1 with the general serial on MS website, then activating windows via the 'slgmr' command for CMD and inputting the key?

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have you tried clean installing w8.1 with the general serial on MS website, then activating windows via the 'slgmr' command for CMD and inputting the key?

 

I did this yesterday on a work computer and it worked perfectly. (with an 8.0 upgrade key)

 

Does the key work when you click the Windows 8 link? If so choose Windows 8 and enter your key. 

Once it starts downloading, cancel it and click on the Windows 8.1 button, it will download Windows 8.1 for you.
Choose to create USB media and or save as an ISO. Boot with the USB media or DVD made with the ISO.
Use generic key to install (google it  XHQ8N-etc-etc...)
Once installed, go into elevated Command Prompt. (Windows Key + X. Then A).
> slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (XXXXX is your Key!)
 
Might work for you.
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I did this yesterday on a work computer and it worked perfectly. (with an 8.0 upgrade key)

 

Does the key work when you click the Windows 8 link? If so choose Windows 8 and enter your key. 

Once it starts downloading, cancel it and click on the Windows 8.1 button, it will download Windows 8.1 for you.
Choose to create USB media and or save as an ISO. Boot with the USB media or DVD made with the ISO.
Use generic key to install (google it  XHQ8N-etc-etc...)
Once installed, go into elevated Command Prompt. (Windows Key + X. Then A).
> slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (XXXXX is your Key!)
 
Might work for you.

 

 

yup this was exactly what i was talking about, thanks for clarifying it a bit, i was tired haha

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