Do I have the correct windows installation? (new to windows)

[xxxxxx.xxxxxx]

As the topic states, I am classed as a relatively new Windows user. I have not used windows as a primary OS since the XP days and as such I could use a little clarification regarding my installation.

 

I bought a Lenovo G50-45 laptop a while ago, it had windows 8.1 pre-installed along with all the usual "bloat/spy/malware" new machines are bundled with. The installation wasn't really used at all before Linux was installed on the machine.

 

Out of curiosity I have decided to install 8.1 again, just to have a look at how things have changed over the years. I did not have either a windows installation/restore disc and the recovery partition was swiftly deleted during the installation of the alternative OS. With the Product Key being held in the EFI system partition, I extracted it via Linux and jotted it down (just in case) and installed using a dvd with Windows 8.1 x64 RTM MSDN iso. No Product Key was asked for during installation so I presume my official key was read successfully from EFI and Windows has been activated successfully.

 

I have spent a number of hours installing every single update available but there is still a little voice in the back of my head questioning whether the installation I have on this laptop is current. Is there anyway for me to check whether this is an actual up-to-date installation?

 

From what I can figure out at the moment everything seems to work fine, but battery life has been greatly reduced. I have went from just over 4 hours life on full charge using Fedora 21/22 to just under 2 hours with 8.1

 

Thanks in advance for any replies

[T3X4S]

If you can open Windows Messenger, then rt click on Computer and select Properties

Down @ the bottom it will either say "need to register" or "registered" or something to that effect.

It will offer a Change product ID which you can then enter in your key

Your key is probably available in the BIOS/UEFI as well.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

This happened on my Lenovo Y510P as well, so I downloaded a fresh ISO from Microsoft, and installed. It did not ask for a product key, and was activated for me as well. Just press on start, and type in activate, and you'll be able to see if your copy is indeed activated. (It should show up as "See if Windows is activated" in the list)

[xendrome]

Key is in the BIOS not in the EFI, your system is activated automatically and if you did the updates you are fine.

[xxxxxx.xxxxxx]

Sorry I assume there has been some confusion here, my installation is showing as activated  I think I should be asking is there any difference from 8.1 RTM MSDN and Retail/OEM versions of the 8.1 installation.

 

Edit: Thanks Xendrome, I feel like a right little newb

[T3X4S]

no diff

[+Warwagon MVC]

Sorry I assume there has been some confusion here, my installation is showing as activated  I think I should be asking is there any difference from 8.1 RTM MSDN and Retail/OEM versions of the 8.1 installation.

 

Edit: Thanks Xendrome, I feel like a right little newb

 

The version of Windows that usually ships on OEMs is Windows 8.1 Core