+Warwagon MVC Posted July 3, 2014 MVC Share Posted July 3, 2014 I hope this isn't breaking any rules. I don't think it is seeing how using these Generic keys are the only way to do a clean install of 8.1 on a system that originally had 8. In this video I will show you how if you want, you can you use a yubikey to store the generic core and pro 8.1 install keys, to make entering them as easy as a tap! This method also works really well for storing long passwords for trucrypt volumes / containers :D or any other type of encryption software. It shows up to any system as just a USB keyboard. xrobwx71 and DConnell 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGHammer Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I hope this isn't breaking any rules. I don't think it is seeing how using these Generic keys are the only way to do a clean install of 8.1 on a system that originally had 8. In this video I will show you how if you want, you can you use a yubikey to store the generic core and pro 8.1 install keys, to make entering them as easy as a tap! It's not "illegal" per se - it's actually a variation on the still-supported "unattended/answer-sheet" install that has been popular for techs since XP (and in businesses since NT 3.x and 9x). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+devHead Subscriber² Posted July 3, 2014 Subscriber² Share Posted July 3, 2014 Nice video, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAQT Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Well... a better way will be to just edit / add the ei.cfg to the /sources folder. ei.cfg (change the edition according to what you need to install) [EditionID] Professional [Channel] Retail [VL] 0 Or, if you want to go the way of using your own key, add a PID.txt file to the /sources folder. [PID] Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX Where X is the key. satysin 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satysin Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Using the generic keys is fine, they are published on the Microsoft support website. As for keeping the keys handy I just stick them in a text file on the USB key I have the 8.1 installer on and then just open a command prompt (Shift+F10) and use 'type filename.txt' and then copy the key into the product key box :) Well actually I edit the ei.cfg so it doesn't prompt me for the key at all until post install but the way I just mentioned works fine too :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted July 3, 2014 Author MVC Share Posted July 3, 2014 Well... a better way will be to just edit / add the ei.cfg to the /sources folder. ei.cfg (change the edition according to what you need to install) [EditionID] Professional [Channel] Retail [VL] 0 Correct that works too. But in my case i'm installing it off a Zolman hard drive enclosure which mounts and boots from a virtual cd rom drive. So I would have to add the file and recreate the iso so it would boot. Then I would also need 2 separate ISO"s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted July 3, 2014 Author MVC Share Posted July 3, 2014 This method also works really well for storing long passwords for trucrypt volumes / containers :D WAQT 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I still think it's bull ###### that I can't use my key to do a fresh install of windows. I have to buy another license. It came on my PC, but I can't do a clean install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAQT Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I still think it's bull ###### that I can't use my key to do a fresh install of windows. I have to buy another license. It came on my PC, but I can't do a clean install. You can do a fresh / clean install, with newer laptops the key is in the UEFI. You need to create a UEFI bootable disk and you should be good to go. It should not ask for the key and auto detect, so is what I have heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted July 3, 2014 Author MVC Share Posted July 3, 2014 I still think it's bull ###### that I can't use my key to do a fresh install of windows. I have to buy another license. It came on my PC, but I can't do a clean install. Somebody didn't watch the video! :laugh: WAQT 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I'm on mobile. I'm going to check out the video tonight. Does it answer my question? Haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primexx Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I still think it's bull ###### that I can't use my key to do a fresh install of windows. I have to buy another license. It came on my PC, but I can't do a clean install. just use the generic key to install, your own key activates fine after that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 just use the generic key to install, your own key activates fine after that Thanks. Since it's saved in the bios I shouldn't need to do anything else right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Which took works best to find the key that's in the bios? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ir0nw0lf Subscriber² Posted July 7, 2014 Subscriber² Share Posted July 7, 2014 I found a program a few weeks ago called Pkeyui, no clue who wrote it. It pulled the key from a Toshiba Win 8.0 laptop before I axed it and installed 8.1u1. Read the key from the BIOS just fine. https://app.box.com/s/l1vh4j2gevbcfgafdct7 It's a 5.5 KB file, no install needed. +Warwagon 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted July 7, 2014 Author MVC Share Posted July 7, 2014 I found a program a few weeks ago called Pkeyui, no clue who wrote it. It pulled the key from a Toshiba Win 8.0 laptop before I axed it and installed 8.1u1. Read the key from the BIOS just fine. https://app.box.com/s/l1vh4j2gevbcfgafdct7 It's a 5.5 KB file, no install needed. I concur. Best app for the job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I found a program a few weeks ago called Pkeyui, no clue who wrote it. It pulled the key from a Toshiba Win 8.0 laptop before I axed it and installed 8.1u1. Read the key from the BIOS just fine. https://app.box.com/s/l1vh4j2gevbcfgafdct7 It's a 5.5 KB file, no install needed. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primexx Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Thanks. Since it's saved in the bios I shouldn't need to do anything else right? back up the key just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 back up the key just in case. I'll do that in multiple places haha. Is it possible for that key to become removed from the bios? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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