How to use Windows 8.1 RTM with 8.0 key? [duplicate]
This question already has an answer here:
Windows 8.1 fresh install with Windows 8 licence
5 answers
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing Windows 8.0 key?
I updated my laptop using one of our MSDN keys, and thought it would be possible to change back to the 8.0 key in the system control. But when I tried to change the key back to Windows 8.0, Windows rejected the key.
The Windows 8.0 key is an upgrade key, maybe this is relevant.
windows windows-8 windows-8.1 msdn
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
marked as duplicate by kinokijuf, nc4pk, Mokubai♦, mpy, Shekhar Oct 20 '13 at 3:21
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
Windows 8.1 fresh install with Windows 8 licence
5 answers
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing Windows 8.0 key?
I updated my laptop using one of our MSDN keys, and thought it would be possible to change back to the 8.0 key in the system control. But when I tried to change the key back to Windows 8.0, Windows rejected the key.
The Windows 8.0 key is an upgrade key, maybe this is relevant.
windows windows-8 windows-8.1 msdn
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
marked as duplicate by kinokijuf, nc4pk, Mokubai♦, mpy, Shekhar Oct 20 '13 at 3:21
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
Windows 8.1 fresh install with Windows 8 licence
5 answers
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing Windows 8.0 key?
I updated my laptop using one of our MSDN keys, and thought it would be possible to change back to the 8.0 key in the system control. But when I tried to change the key back to Windows 8.0, Windows rejected the key.
The Windows 8.0 key is an upgrade key, maybe this is relevant.
windows windows-8 windows-8.1 msdn
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
This question already has an answer here:
Windows 8.1 fresh install with Windows 8 licence
5 answers
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing Windows 8.0 key?
I updated my laptop using one of our MSDN keys, and thought it would be possible to change back to the 8.0 key in the system control. But when I tried to change the key back to Windows 8.0, Windows rejected the key.
The Windows 8.0 key is an upgrade key, maybe this is relevant.
This question already has an answer here:
Windows 8.1 fresh install with Windows 8 licence
5 answers
windows windows-8 windows-8.1 msdn
windows windows-8 windows-8.1 msdn
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
edited Sep 26 '13 at 18:37
nixda
21.1k1178134
21.1k1178134
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
asked Sep 25 '13 at 8:11
user2154065user2154065
138119
138119
marked as duplicate by kinokijuf, nc4pk, Mokubai♦, mpy, Shekhar Oct 20 '13 at 3:21
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by kinokijuf, nc4pk, Mokubai♦, mpy, Shekhar Oct 20 '13 at 3:21
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33
add a comment |
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing 8.0 Key?
It is indeed possible but you have to use one of the generic Windows 8.1 license keys below to install Windows 8.1 ( i.e. upgrade Windows 8.0 with the installation media ). The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Note to moderators: these are not usable Windows keys. They are embedded in Windows itself as a placeholder default key and do not let you activate.
If you install the update through the Windows Store this isn't required. If you have Windows 8 Professional with Media Center you can also skip the step of having to basically downgrade to Windows 8 Professional then back to Windows 8.1 Professional With Media Center.
In order to do this I was force to use a generic license key which are stored on the Windows 8.1 installation media. Once the installation was done I was able to use slmgr.vbs to change my product key to a Windows 8.0 Upgrade license. I was running Windows 8 Professional so I did that by running the following two commands.
slmgr -cpky
slmgr -ipk XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Once you have performed this command you should restart your computer. Once the machine has been restarted you can attempt to activate Windows and when prompted provide your Windows 8 license key.
The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
|
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing 8.0 Key?
It is indeed possible but you have to use one of the generic Windows 8.1 license keys below to install Windows 8.1 ( i.e. upgrade Windows 8.0 with the installation media ). The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Note to moderators: these are not usable Windows keys. They are embedded in Windows itself as a placeholder default key and do not let you activate.
If you install the update through the Windows Store this isn't required. If you have Windows 8 Professional with Media Center you can also skip the step of having to basically downgrade to Windows 8 Professional then back to Windows 8.1 Professional With Media Center.
In order to do this I was force to use a generic license key which are stored on the Windows 8.1 installation media. Once the installation was done I was able to use slmgr.vbs to change my product key to a Windows 8.0 Upgrade license. I was running Windows 8 Professional so I did that by running the following two commands.
slmgr -cpky
slmgr -ipk XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Once you have performed this command you should restart your computer. Once the machine has been restarted you can attempt to activate Windows and when prompted provide your Windows 8 license key.
The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
|
show 2 more comments
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing 8.0 Key?
It is indeed possible but you have to use one of the generic Windows 8.1 license keys below to install Windows 8.1 ( i.e. upgrade Windows 8.0 with the installation media ). The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Note to moderators: these are not usable Windows keys. They are embedded in Windows itself as a placeholder default key and do not let you activate.
If you install the update through the Windows Store this isn't required. If you have Windows 8 Professional with Media Center you can also skip the step of having to basically downgrade to Windows 8 Professional then back to Windows 8.1 Professional With Media Center.
In order to do this I was force to use a generic license key which are stored on the Windows 8.1 installation media. Once the installation was done I was able to use slmgr.vbs to change my product key to a Windows 8.0 Upgrade license. I was running Windows 8 Professional so I did that by running the following two commands.
slmgr -cpky
slmgr -ipk XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Once you have performed this command you should restart your computer. Once the machine has been restarted you can attempt to activate Windows and when prompted provide your Windows 8 license key.
The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
|
show 2 more comments
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing 8.0 Key?
It is indeed possible but you have to use one of the generic Windows 8.1 license keys below to install Windows 8.1 ( i.e. upgrade Windows 8.0 with the installation media ). The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Note to moderators: these are not usable Windows keys. They are embedded in Windows itself as a placeholder default key and do not let you activate.
If you install the update through the Windows Store this isn't required. If you have Windows 8 Professional with Media Center you can also skip the step of having to basically downgrade to Windows 8 Professional then back to Windows 8.1 Professional With Media Center.
In order to do this I was force to use a generic license key which are stored on the Windows 8.1 installation media. Once the installation was done I was able to use slmgr.vbs to change my product key to a Windows 8.0 Upgrade license. I was running Windows 8 Professional so I did that by running the following two commands.
slmgr -cpky
slmgr -ipk XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Once you have performed this command you should restart your computer. Once the machine has been restarted you can attempt to activate Windows and when prompted provide your Windows 8 license key.
The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
Is it possible to use the Windows 8.1 RTM Build from MSDN with an existing 8.0 Key?
It is indeed possible but you have to use one of the generic Windows 8.1 license keys below to install Windows 8.1 ( i.e. upgrade Windows 8.0 with the installation media ). The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Note to moderators: these are not usable Windows keys. They are embedded in Windows itself as a placeholder default key and do not let you activate.
If you install the update through the Windows Store this isn't required. If you have Windows 8 Professional with Media Center you can also skip the step of having to basically downgrade to Windows 8 Professional then back to Windows 8.1 Professional With Media Center.
In order to do this I was force to use a generic license key which are stored on the Windows 8.1 installation media. Once the installation was done I was able to use slmgr.vbs to change my product key to a Windows 8.0 Upgrade license. I was running Windows 8 Professional so I did that by running the following two commands.
slmgr -cpky
slmgr -ipk XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Once you have performed this command you should restart your computer. Once the machine has been restarted you can attempt to activate Windows and when prompted provide your Windows 8 license key.
The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17
Community♦
1
1
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
answered Sep 25 '13 at 10:06
RamhoundRamhound
20.8k156287
20.8k156287
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
|
show 2 more comments
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
You wrote "but you have to use the MSDN Windows 8.1 key to install Windows 8.1" and that is just what I did. But I should have used the generic key for the Installation, because I cannot Change the MSDN Key to the generic one, right?
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:30
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
I now changed the Product Key to the generic one by using slmgr.vbs. Windows recognizes, it cannot be activated, but the Windows 8.0 key still does not work.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:38
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
That's how it Looks like. Windows 8.0 Keys from MSDN are working (at least after using slmgr to set the generic key before trying the 8.0 one).
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 11:59
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
The generic keys are stored on the Installation media and - in my opinion - not secret at all. They are used by the installer, if you skip the key input (if possible) while Setup is running. I was able to Change the MSDN 8.1 key to a MSDN 8.0 Key. But I still want to use the Windows 8.0 Update Key.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:15
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
I will try to get more information about this and will post my results.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 12:35
|
show 2 more comments
there seems to be a huge fuss about this issue around the internet. I can't come forth with a definitive answer, but surely someone more enlightened will for sure :)
– Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Sep 25 '13 at 8:31
@Ramhound - I have clarified it.
– user2154065
Sep 25 '13 at 10:33