Help with installing Windows 8 Pro

By AussieAnon
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Experienced

AussieAnon

Posted
Posted

I just purchased a HP Envy 23" All-in-one TouchSmart PC,

It came with Windows 8 (Core, not Pro) ... Since I have a TechNet sub, I created a bootable USB drive with Windows 8 Pro on it.

When I boot off the USB, it enters Windows 8 Setup and I wipe all the partitions on the HDD and install Windows 8 Pro from scratch. Problem is, everytime it is done with setup, I ends up being Windows 8 Core again and not Pro..

Can anyone tell me how I can completely remove Windows 8 Core and install my Windows 8 Pro from USB?

For some reason, it doesn't want to swap from Windows 8 Core to Windows 8 Pro. Any help appreciated.

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1115361-help-with-installing-windows-8-pro/
Share on other sites
Proficient

dafin0

Posted
Posted

not sure if this will work but in Windows 8 (core) on the start screen type "Add Features to Windows 8" and look under settings, in there you can type in your key. it should upgrade it to pro. if its any thing like Windows 7 it will say that the upgrade failed (hopefully that bug is fixed in Win 8), restart the computer and it should be Win 8 pro

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

I just purchased a HP Envy 23" All-in-one TouchSmart PC,

It came with Windows 8 (Core, not Pro) ... Since I have a TechNet sub, I created a bootable USB drive with Windows 8 Pro on it.

When I boot off the USB, it enters Windows 8 Setup and I wipe all the partitions on the HDD and install Windows 8 Pro from scratch. Problem is, everytime it is done with setup, I ends up being Windows 8 Core again and not Pro..

Can anyone tell me how I can completely remove Windows 8 Core and install my Windows 8 Pro from USB?

For some reason, it doesn't want to swap from Windows 8 Core to Windows 8 Pro. Any help appreciated.

The key determines if it is 8 or 8 Pro. Have you made 100% sure you're using an 8 Pro key?

Experienced

AussieAnon

Posted
  • Author
Posted

When I load the USB stick (freshly formatted, TechNet download of Win8Pro), it doesn't give me an option anywhere to place my product key during setup. Its as if HP have their product key hardcoded into the motherboard with Secure Boot or something. My only option was upgrading to Pro through System Properties with my TechNet product key.

Just wish I could clean install down the track without needing to manually update to Pro every time.

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

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Microsoft Teams is getting a controversial location tracking feature that users may hate

      By Brian Miller · Posted

      Are people still using Teams?
    • Win11Debloat 06.11.2026

      By Copernic · Posted

      Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 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 06.11.2026 fixes: Fix lock screen spotlight option being disabled when disabling the start recommended section by @Raphire in #619 Fix log message formatting by @Raphire Note The -RemoveCommApps and -RemoveW11Outlook command-line parameters for uninstalling a few specific apps have been removed with this release. If you previously relied on these parameters, please see this wiki page for alternative methods of removing these apps. Download: Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 | Open Source View: Win11Debloat Home Page | Screenshots 1| 2 Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Microsoft releases big Windows 11 25H2, 24H2 Release Preview with Recovery, Update features

      By SnyPer456 · Posted

      "Gradual Rollout"... Sigh...🙄
    • Microsoft releases major feature updates for stock Windows 11 apps

      By Liberi_Fatali · Posted

      Yes for me, I installed 'old calculator' (Windows 7 calculator) in its place since it is more useful to me. I think paint is the only one I left installed
    • Microsoft releases new Windows 11 Media Creation Tool with the latest updates

      By erpster3 · Posted

      eh I'll wait for the June 2026 MVS ISO downloads which should be coming out next Tuesday June 16 and possibly contain build 8655 instead of 8653

  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      restore went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Very Popular
      AndrewSteel earned a badge
      Very Popular
    • Veteran
      Taliseian went up a rank
      Veteran
    • One Month Later
      Clizby earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Timaximus earned a badge
      One Month Later

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      509
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      162
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      155
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      82
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      79
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!