Windows 8.1 Question?

Yes and no.

Due to a highly flawed design by Microsoft , the Windows 8.0 product keys are rejected by Windows 8.1 installation media during installation but not during product activation.

There are workarounds for this as demonstrated here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/obtaining-your-oem-bios-embedded-slp-product-key-using-rw-everything-oem-only/

Installation with the Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD will revert the system back to Windows 8.0.

Thanks for the reply! Even if the Windows 8.0 product key doesn't work, I think you still get a product key if you bought a new Windows 8.1 CD, is that correct?

If you buy a Windows 8.1 Retail package you will get the DVD and a retail product key. Its better you use this key on another system and install with a generic key and then change product key on the system to use the Dell OEM license otherwise you are using 2 keys on 1 system. If you are in no rush for it or do not have another system you wish to install Windows 8.1 on, I would recommend holding out until Windows 10 is released and buy instead a Windows 10 license.

You only get a COA sticker for OEM System Builder media.

Retail Windows 8.1 comes with a key on a card like a credit card.

Windows 8 keys are encrypted stored in the Bios installed at the factory.  There are no more COA Stickers due to piracy. (OEM System Builder Versions Do Still have COA Stickers with writing that says this is not a COA Rofl)

Windows 8 now comes with a Genuine Microsoft Label there are NO MORE Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Labels.

See the following examples of labels to look for.

Color-Shifting Ink
The color shift on the label is designed to change from one color to another when viewed from different angles,

making it easy to determine if it is genuine.

Windows 8: magenta to green

Windows 8 Pro: blue to purple

Windows RT: turquoise to purple

Genuine Microsoft Labels

You could try Belarc Advisor.

I don't know if this shows the key or not. (Versions Higher than 8.3c do Show the Key)

Version 8.4 supports Windows 8.1

• Operating Systems: Runs on Windows 8.1, 2012 R2, 8, 2012, 7, 2008 R2, Vista, 2008, 2003, XP, 2000, NT 4, Me, 98, and 95. Both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows are supported.
• Browsers: Runs on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and many others.

However as you change versions by adding softpacks you should save the previous keys as they are removed and replaced with the PRO and MCE packs.  But windows will not clean install with an update pack so you need the original key in order to Install clean then do windows anytime upgrades back to PRO or MCE editions.

www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Hey SpeedStep. I already got my Windows 8 Product Key from Belarc Advisor. All is ok there. The problem is that Windows keeps asking me to get the Windows 8.1 update and I am worried that my Windows 8 product key won't work with Windows 8.1 once the update is installed.

Also, I needed a restore CD since my computer didn't have a restore utility on it and I need this CD in order to restore Windows 8 back to the beginning. The problem also is if I update to Windows 8.1 then this CD that Dell sent me may no longer work.

Do any of you know exactly what I should do to avoid this problem from happening as I don't want to get a Windows 8.1 CD just to get a new product key and everyone is telling me not to use 2 product keys on one system, but I may have no choice if something drastic happens to my computer as I NEED a restore CD incase something goes wrong with it.

It's very confusing to explain I know, but I hope yous understand.

I purchased WIN8.1 pro retail.  The upgrade 8.0 pro was $38 at one time but those are long gone. You can then install with the Generic Key using 8.1 full not upgrade.  I don't seem to be able to see any difference with retail vs oem or system builder media.  So now that I have both 8.0 pro retail and 8.1 pro retail I can use the 64 bit discs to
 reinstall any machine with COA Sticker or Bios Key. After install generic you go online and the bios key can be entered to manually activate.

The key is in the bios.  HOWEVER the OEM System builder media works the old way and comes with a traditional COA Sticker that has written all over it that

"This is not a COA"

Windows 8 keys are encrypted stored in the Bios installed at the factory.  There are no more COA Stickers due to piracy.

Windows 8 now comes with a Genuine Microsoft Label there are NO MORE Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Labels.

See the following examples of labels to look for.

Color-Shifting Ink
The color shift on the label is designed to change from one color to another when viewed from different angles,

making it easy to determine if it is genuine.

Windows 8: magenta to green

Windows 8 Pro: blue to purple

Windows RT: turquoise to purple

Genuine Microsoft Labels

Belarc Advisor does read the key.  If you update to PRO and again with MCE the "key changes"

www.belarc.com/free_download.html

I don't really understand what you are saying SpeedStep, but anyways I had to install Windows 8.1 and my worst fears have been realized. The CD that Dell sent me out which I NEED badly incase anything were to happen to my computer does not work anymore with Windows 8.1

Does anyone know what I can do about this as I need a new CD now for obviously Windows 8.1 so I am able to restart my PC if anything was to ever go wrong with it?!

If you boot to the Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD via the BIOS setup you can reinstall Windows 8.0 and then upgrade to Windows 8.1 again via the Store... Its not a great solution and one problem I have made a lot of fuss about.

Dell will not provide you with a Windows 8.1 DVD unless you buy a new system because of the problems caused by Microsoft.  Microsoft made Windows 8.1 media block Windows 8.0 product keys during installation.

The lack of installation media in a downloadable .iso format and the problematic upgrade of Windows 8.1 via the Store are both additional deliberate problems caused by Microsoft. These are highly detrimental to the end user which is why I do not recommend Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1.

It may not be a great solution Phillip, but it's the only way. Let me explain this one more time. I DO NOT have a Windows 8.1 CD. I only have the Windows 8.0 recovery media CD that Dell gave me and now your telling me that they won't give me a CD... so what other options do I have?

Instead of giving me bad news all the time, can you just answer my questions on how I can deal with this problem?

Anyways... I checked out the CD again, opening it up via My Computer. It opened up as Windows 8 setup, so I am wondering can I use this Windows 8 setup to delete everything and restore to factory settings instead of going to the settings section of Windows 8.1 "remove everything and reinstall windows" function cause clearly... that doesn't work anymore

Anyways... I checked out the CD again, opening it up via My Computer. It opened up as Windows 8 setup, so I am wondering can I use this Windows 8 setup to delete everything and restore to factory settings instead of going to the settings section of Windows 8.1 "remove everything and reinstall windows" function cause clearly... that doesn't work anymore

This won't work due to Microsoft's bad decisions as mentioned above.... What you are trying to do is a useful feature of Windows 8.0 and Windows 8.1; Microsoft decided to not let OEM customers going from 8.0 → 8.1 have the functionality. Sorry to give so much bad news but with the way they have done things its hard not to, I like you am very disappointed with their decisions.

If you have to restore using the Reinstallation DVD, follow the instructions here:

[View:dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/.../:550:0]

If you have clean installed deleting all partitions on the hard drive as instructed above you can install Dell Backup and Recovery after Windows is fully updated to Windows 8.1 with Update 1. Dell Backup and Recovery will then give you the means to make Windows 8.1 installation media. It won't work if you don't have a clean install and have an original factory partitions left on the drive, in such cases it'll get muddled up with the original factory partition and make Windows 8.0 media or throw up an error. This is why the guide recommends wiping them all or securely wiping with DBAN before the Windows install:

[View:dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/.../:550:0]

I give an example of installing Dell |Backup and Recovery on a clean install and making a Recovery USB here:

[View:dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/.../:550:0]

You can update to Win 8.1 and then make a system image to use in case of future problems. You can also make a custom refresh image (see recimg on the web) that will retain all you data, all installed Apps and all programs installed on the desk top. THis is a better solution, as you lose nothing when you use it for a recovery. You probably should do both, as it gives you all the latitude you need.

Forgive me if I seem rude guys, but when it comes to all this technical stuff. I am a beginner here, so I don't really understand most of the stuff you are talking about. There's just got to be a way I can get around this problem Phillip. It's not fair that I am stuck here up the creek without a paddle because of a silly update that I didn't want and had no choice installing. Your links did not work for me, it only takes me to a 404 error page. I don't really know what you are talking about either KirkD.

Although I did find something that could be useful. I see that Dell has this program called "Dell Backup & Recovery" will this program be able to restore my computer to factory settings if I was to use it??

I have been informed by a comment on my guides that Microsoft have released a new Windows 8.1 downloader which does not ask for a product key and allows one to select their language and architecture. This downloader can be used to get Windows 8.1 installation media, see here.

In my testing the Windows 8.1 Professional .iso downloaded has accepted both the generic Windows 8 Professional and 8.1 Professional keys. I have not tested it with an OEM license but theres a good chance it will work in all scenarios.

It's a ray of hope, but will it work for computers that have updated from Windows 8.0?

Also, will the "remove everything and reinstall Windows" function work with it?

Keep in mind that my Windows 8.1 is Home and not professional

As mentioned earlier this download link is new and I have not got round to testing all these scenarios especially with an OEM license.

Currently someone has reported it to work with a Windows 8.0 OEM license but had to incorporate some of my workarounds.

I have documented what I have tested alongside they workarounds here.