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[AColdDay]

Hey GAF, happy new year!

Yesterday, I bought a 480 GB SSD to supplement my 2TB hard drive. I've heard that the best way to utilize it is to install your OS on it, and maybe a few games that could use the load time help.

I've also heard that it is best to have a fresh install, so that is what I'm unsuccessfully trying to do. I have Windows 8.1 installed on my HDD (bought a boxed copy of Windows 8 pro back in 2012, upgraded it to 8.1 a few years back when it released), so I figured I would take my original disks and product key and install it on my new SSD.

So I unplug my existing hard drive that had Windows 8.1 (the SATA and the power) and just have the SSD. I install windows 8 (the disks I have are windows 8, not 8.1) but I'm unable to authorize my product key. It keeps giving me the error "this product key can only be used for an upgrade". I called Microsoft to help me, and after several hours and a senior systems engineer remoting into my system, I still don't have an authorized copy of Windows.

They tried a bunch of stuff, my computer restarted and then I lost my remote connection with them. Now when I start my computer, I have Windows 8.1 and some product key that I've never seen is associated with my computer, but it still isn't authorized.

So I'm going to call them back today, but I'm beginning to believe that maybe I'm not taking the right approach. What would you guys recommend for my situation? I've googled my situation and a lot of the links are older so I'm not sure if it still applies. Can anybody give me some direction here?

 

[diablos991]

Sounds like you have Windows 8 upgrade and are trying to fresh install off of that. It won't work.

Try installing a full version.

Alternatively you could have imaged your old working system onto the SSD.

 

[AColdDay]

Sounds like you have Windows 8 upgrade and are trying to fresh install off of that. It won't work.

Try installing a full version.

Alternatively you could have imaged your old working system onto the SSD.

I definitely am not in a position to argue, because clearly I don't know what I'm doing but my packaging does not indicate that it is an upgrade. Are OEM copies of windows the only things you can buy digitally that aren't flagged as "upgrades"?

 

[Rentahamster]

There should be ways to clean install windows 8 with an upgrade key. Google it.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

If you have an old copy of Windows 7 laying around, install it and then install Windows 8.1 upgrade over it. You can download an ISO of Windows 7 straight from Microsoft if need be:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

Alternatively just bite the bullet and move to Microsoft Consumer Punishment 10, I mean Windows 10.

 

[Kthulhu]

I'd call Microsoft back and see what they say.

If you do indeed have an upgrade key, you can get a license from Microsoft's website and create an install disk using a DVD or a USB storage device.

 

[Suikoguy]

Around a month ago I put my Windows 7 key into Windows 10 during setup, and it worked.
Unless you are set on 8.1...

 

[AColdDay]

There should be ways to clean install windows 8 with an upgrade key. Google it.

I already tried the registry edit thing that comes up for Windows 8, and everything else I could find relates to Windows 7.

 

[btrboyev]

You should have upgraded to windows 10.

Do the installation without entering your product key. When windows is done installing, it should activate as long as you have the same motherboard the key is tied to.

 

[diablos991]

I definitely am not in a position to argue, because clearly I don't know what I'm doing but my packaging does not indicate that it is an upgrade. Are OEM copies of windows the only things you can buy digitally that aren't flagged as "upgrades"?

All Microsoft Wondows software will be OEM since Microsoft is the OEM. It sure if you are meaning here. Something like Windows packaged with a Dell?

Windows typically comes in 2 types.
* Upgrades which are cheaper that upgrade an older version of windows.
* Full versions which are more expensive because they work independently or as upgrades.

The packaging should indicate upgrade or full. Regardless you are getting an error that is straight up telling you the Windows 8 key is an upgrade.

The options (staying inline with the law) are to buy a full version or upgrade an older full version. If you don't have a full version of Windows 7 you will need to buy a license either way.

I am of the opinion a Windows 10 purchase should clean this all up and be more future proof.

 

[Xyphie]

There a registry setting you can change if you're using a upgrade key and it'll let you do a fresh installation. Google it.

 

[AColdDay]

There a registry setting you can change if you're using a upgrade key and it'll let you do a fresh installation. Google it.

I already tried the registry edit, and it didn't work for me.

I think I am going to do the clone drive method, then use the recovery feature to get it as close to a clean install as possible. Does anyone have a recommendation about what clone drive program I need to use?

 

[Transistor]

I already tried the registry edit, and it didn't work for me.

I think I am going to do the clone drive method, then use the recovery feature to get it as close to a clean install as possible. Does anyone have a recommendation about what clone drive program I need to use?

Use Macrium Reflect. It's free, easy to use, and works great

 

[pelicansurf]

Just install Win10 and get a key online for like $50 bucks

 

[99Luffy]

I would just give up on that method. So much easier to just clone your harddrive and be done with it. Then you can do a clean install once it already has Windows.
EaseUS Todo Backup Free is a winner.

You may have to backup some stuff if youre existing harddrive is larger than 480gb.

 

[Zepp Twofist]

Do you get an option to do registration by calling MS? I've done that in the past when I've had issues with online activation. It requires you to enter a code with your dial pad and then it reads you back an even longer activation code. Takes a while, but it has worked for me in the past.

 

[AColdDay]

All Microsoft Wondows software will be OEM since Microsoft is the OEM. It sure if you are meaning here. Something like Windows packaged with a Dell?

Windows typically comes in 2 types.
* Upgrades which are cheaper that upgrade an older version of windows.
* Full versions which are more expensive because they work independently or as upgrades.

The packaging should indicate upgrade or full. Regardless you are getting an error that is straight up telling you the Windows 8 key is an upgrade.

The options (staying inline with the law) are to buy a full version or upgrade an older full version. If you don't have a full version of Windows 7 you will need to buy a license either way.

I am of the opinion a Windows 10 purchase should clean this all up and be more future proof.

This is where you can clearly see that I'm out of my depth. The way I understood it is that you can buy "Full" versions, or you can buy "Upgrade" versions. I thought I was buying a "Full" version at Best Buy four years ago, but apparently I was buying an "Upgrade" version (seriously, it says nothing about being an upgrade on the package). My question regarding this would be, how do you buy a "Full" version? A google search show that I could buy an "OEM" for Windows 10 pretty cheap. What would be the disadvantages of going this route?

 

[diablos991]

This is where you can clearly see that I'm out of my depth. The way I understood it is that you can buy "Full" versions, or you can buy "Upgrade" versions. I thought I was buying a "Full" version at Best Buy four years ago, but apparently I was buying an "Upgrade" version (seriously, it says nothing about being an upgrade on the package). My question regarding this would be, how do you buy a "Full" version? A google search show that I could buy an "OEM" for Windows 10 pretty cheap. What would be the disadvantages of going this route?

The description in that link says "This OEM Product is for a New Installation, Not for an Upgrade.".

That's a full version.
If I were in your position I'd go the Windows 10 route or clone the old HDD.

 

[AColdDay]

Just install Win10 and get a key online for like $50 bucks

I'm a little wary of buying a key online to be honest. It looks like one of those things that are too good to be true. Anyone have any experience with buying them this way?

 

[AColdDay]

Alright, I've spent the past few hours moving stuff to my external backup, and deleting old files. My SSD (which I just formatted), is 446 GB, my current hard drive (which has my current active copy of Windows 8.1 on it has 432 GB used space (enough to squeeze into the new SSD) and 1.39 TB of free space.

I downloaded Todo backup and started their "clone option", but now I'm getting an error saying "insufficient disk space". What the heck? I should be under the limit, but I'm thinking that is it trying to clone my unused space as well? Help?

 

[Orin GA]

Some clone programs have trouble cloning a large hdd to a small one.

 

[diablos991]

Trim your main drive even more.

 

[AColdDay]

Trim your main drive even more.

Alright, trimmed it down to 411 and now I've got the cloning process going. One more question, different places online recommend removing the old hdd and booting up without the old hdd, but what happens when you need the old one back?

Also, thank you everyone for your help and time with this.

 

[Syriel]

I definitely am not in a position to argue, because clearly I don't know what I'm doing but my packaging does not indicate that it is an upgrade. Are OEM copies of windows the only things you can buy digitally that aren't flagged as "upgrades"?

You should have two keys:

1) Your original Windows 8 key
2) Your Windows 8.1 upgrade key

Which one are you trying to use?

All Microsoft Wondows software will be OEM since Microsoft is the OEM.

Not true. Microsoft sells both retail software (non-OEM) and system builder (OEM, more limited license) versions.

Use Macrium Reflect. It's free, easy to use, and works great

This x1000. Shit rocks. There is no other option.

Just install Win10 and get a key online for like $50 bucks

Or, upgrade the existing version for free.

 

[diablos991]

Alright, trimmed it down to 411 and now I've got the cloning process going. One more question, different places online recommend removing the old hdd and booting up without the old hdd, but what happens when you need the old one back?

Also, thank you everyone for your help and time with this.

The reason is to make sure you're voting from the new drive and not the old one. After you ensure it boots then put the old drive back and double check in the bios that you are still set to boot from the SSD. Format the old drive after everything is good.

 

[DodgyGeezerFella]

As its a brand spanking new SSD, it has no record of any other OS being installed on it, and seeing as it sounds like you have an upgrade key, it wont work. You can get around this by installing Win 7 without ever having activated it (literally just install it, then wipe the SSD when installing Win 8.1, and it should work). Its annoying extra work, but shouldn't take too long.

You can download a Win 7 ISO using this tool - https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

As far as I know, this is perfectly legal, they are downloaded directly from MS. Someone please correct me if not.

 

[AColdDay]

You should have two keys:

1) Your original Windows 8 key
2) Your Windows 8.1 upgrade key

Which one are you trying to use?

My comes with a little card that says:

Windows 8 Pro Product Key
Keep this in case you ever need to reinstall Windows 8 Pro

and on a little stripe on the bottom it has my product key.

I don't see anything else ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

 

[netBuff]

My comes with a little card that says:



and on a little stripe on the bottom it has my product key.

I don't see anything else ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

There's no need to install Windows 8: Just create a Windows 10 installation medium (USB pen drive or DVD) using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and clean install Windows 10 using your Windows 8 key. This should work just fine.

https://www.microsoft.com/en/software-download/windows10

 

[Syriel]

My comes with a little card that says:



and on a little stripe on the bottom it has my product key.

I don't see anything else ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

That should be a full version key. Can't tell off-hand why it wouldn't work, unless the activation server was expecting you to re-install off 8.1 media. Was asking about the key just to make sure this wasn't a $5 Reddit key.

Still, you can always install offline w/o a key and then going online to activate.

A MS tech "remoting in" is also very odd, as the activation line just presses a button on their end to reset an activation limit.

If you really want to stick with 8.1, you should try the clean install again with 8.0 media.

Otherwise, use the key to upgrade to Windows 10. If you don't use MCE, Win 10 > Win 8.x.

 

[AColdDay]

I DID IT!

netbuff's suggestion to try to install Windows 10 and then give it my Windows 8 key totally worked.

I have this weird side effect of it asking me if I want to use Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 when I start my machine. I don't have my HDD hooked up yet, so I'm not sure where it is seeing I even had (have?) Windows 8.1.

I was in the process of cloning my HDD, but killed it midway to try the Windows 10 method. I formatted the drive again, but maybe it left behind some Windows 8.1 information? Did it install both Windows 8 and 10 because I supplied a Windows 10 key? Anyways, I am getting everything set up again (typing this from the Edge browser) and trying to figure out my way around Windows 10.

Thank you guys for all the help!

 

[Syriel]

I was in the process of cloning my HDD, but killed it midway to try the Windows 10 method. I formatted the drive again, but maybe it left behind some Windows 8.1 information? Did it install both Windows 8 and 10 because I supplied a Windows 10 key? Anyways, I am getting everything set up again (typing this from the Edge browser) and trying to figure out my way around Windows 10.

Most likely. You can resolve that with one more Windows 10 install.

Before you bother with that though, just link Windows 10 to your Microsoft login. After that you can freely reinstall w/o a key and then just use your MS login to activate it.

Enjoy Win 10.

 

[AColdDay]

Most likely. You can resolve that with one more Windows 10 install.

Before you bother with that though, just link Windows 10 to your Microsoft login. After that you can freely reinstall w/o a key and then just use your MS login to activate it.

Enjoy Win 10.

Terrified to ask this (I've asked ten trillion questions in this thread), but how do I link Windows 10 to my Microsoft login?

 

[netBuff]

Terrified to ask this (I've asked ten trillion questions in this thread), but how do I link Windows 10 to my Microsoft login?

You don't need to link your key to a Microsoft account to be able to reinstall without entering a key (selecting "I don't have a product key" during installation) on the same system. A hash value of your system configuration is stored on Microsoft's servers after activation, even without linking.

But if you do want to link your key to a MS account, go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation

 

[netBuff]

Oh, and delete (not format) all partitions on your SSD during your next install and let Windows install to an unpartitioned/empty drive. That way, all remnants of Windows 8 should be purged.

If you want your system to start up as fast as possible, disable CSM (legacy) support in your BIOS to install Windows 10 in UEFI mode. If you get an error message during installation, you'll have to press Shift + F10 in Windows installer and enter the following commands:

diskpart
list disk
select disk <# of your SSD, no brackets!>
clean
convert gpt
exit

Close the command window and proceed with installation to the unpartitioned drive.

 

[Syriel]

You don't need to link your key to a Microsoft account to be able to reinstall without entering a key (selecting "I don't have a product key" during installation) on the same system. A hash value of your system configuration is stored on Microsoft's servers after activation, even without linking.

But if you do want to link your key to a MS account, go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation

Yeah, the hash value checking works for most, but linking to an account means you never have to worry about the edge case where the hash value changes just a little too much.

Plus, for those that don't trust the MS hash system (there are a lot of folks out there like that), the tie to the account is a psychological comfort. I mean, I still see people asking how to "extract" Win 10 upgrade keys so they can "preserve" them, even though all digital entitlement upgrades use the exact same public key.

 

[Horsemama1956]

Make a partition for Windows so next time you only have to clone a smaller size. I suaully just use 80GB or so as I only really install Windows and a few programs to boot drive.