- WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST HOW TO
- WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST INSTALL
- WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST UPDATE
- WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST UPGRADE
- WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST WINDOWS 8.1
All you need is access to the disk drive from a working computer. The great thing is that you can even recover a key, even from a computer that won’t boot anymore. We can only assume that they don’t want anybody to re-use a key from an old computer. We’re not really sure why Microsoft went to great lengths to make it difficult to see the product keys for their software, especially since they are stored right in there in the registry and can be read by software, if not by humans.
WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST HOW TO
RELATED: Beginner Geek: How to Reinstall Windows on Your Computer
WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST WINDOWS 8.1
This version of Windows 8.1 Setup prompts for a Windows 8.1 product key, and your Windows 8 product key-from a PC, MSDN/TechNet, or a retail version-will not work.Īnd that, folks, is what we need to work on next.As you can see in the screenshot above, the product ID is stored in the registry but is in a binary format that can’t be read by humans unless you are some sort of Cylon.
WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST UPGRADE
You can of course create DVD or USB-based Setup media.Windows includes the ability to burn an ISO to DVD disc, or you can use the aforementioned Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create USB media.But what you can't do is use that Setup media to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. Not much, actually, unless of course you do have a Windows 8.1 product key. It will then display a final step in which it displays the product key you previously provided (the Windows 8 one). If you selected the ISO option, you will need to provide a save location (your Desktop or whatever) and then Setup will copy the ISO to that location.
WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST INSTALL
Personally, I'd choose ISO file even if you intend to install via USB since you can use the free Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create USB media at any time, and I like having the ISO file on hand for later use anyway. In this next step, choose USB flash drive or ISO file.
Instead, the Setup ISO will download automatically!Īfter the download completes, Setup will say that it is "getting files ready" (uncompressing the installer) and then present you with the Install Windows 8.1 phase of the wizard.Ĭhoose Install by creating media and then click Next. Windows Setup will run, as before, but you won't be prompted for your product key. This time, click the light blue Install Windows 8.1 button. Now, return to that Upgrade Windows with only a product key page. (This is based on the PC you're currently using If you start Setup from a 64-bit version of Windows, you will download a 64-bit ISO, for example.) After the download begins, close Setup. Input your Windows 8 product key when prompted and Setup will tell you which version of the Windows 8 Setup ISO it will download. Then, click the light blue Install Windows 8 button. In a web browser, navigate to Microsoft's Upgrade Windows with only a product key page. Still want to grab that Windows 8.1 ISO with your Windows product key? Here's how. I have an idea about how the clean install issue can be overcome, but I'm curious if anyone has a fool-proof method. You can, of course, use it to perform an upgrade from Windows 8, which was the point: Provide a way for users to upgrade multiple PCs from a single download. The bad news? Once you've downloaded that ISO, you still can't use your Windows 8 product key to perform a clean install of Windows 8.1. The good news- great news, really-is that there is a very simple workaround for those Windows 8 users who wish to download a Windows 8.1 ISO. Why should someone with multiple PCs to upgrade be forced to use the normal Store-based updater, which triggers a 2 GB to 3.6 GB download each time it's used?
WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY LIST UPDATE
This doesn't make sense since Windows 8.1 is a free update from Windows 8. But it inexplicably does not allow you to download the Windows 8.1 ISO-via Windows 8.1 Setup-with a Windows 8 product key. It's hard to know where the tip originated, but I want to be clear that this is not something I came up with personally, and this workaround is widely available on other sites and blogs as well.Īs noted in Windows 8.1 Upgrade Woes, Microsoft provides a handy Upgrade Windows with only a product key page from which you can jump-start the Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Setup from the web and optionally make an ISO file for later installs. Thanks to everyone who wrote in with this tip via email, comments on this site, and Twitter.
It's the Windows 8.1 Upgrade tip you've all been waiting for: The ability to download a Windows 8.1 ISO-a file from which you can make DVD- or USB-based bootable media-using your legally acquired Windows 8 (as in 8.0) product key.