Windows 8 systems are pre-activated from factory. Once the PC is activated, it remains active unless there are significant hardware changes such as motherboard or hard drive replacement. If you re-install Windows on the computer, there is no need for the product key as it is injected on the motherboard from factory.
Thank you very much. Just to confirm, I can do a refresh or a complete reinstall and I will not be asked for a product key.
What about in control panel "add features to windows 8" is asking for a product key? I should be able to add features since I have a full, activated version of Windows 8.
Thank you for your response. If you perform a refresh, you won’t be asked for a product key.
By using ‘add feature to Windows 8’ option, you can upgrade to different versions of Windows 8: like Windows 8 Pro or add Windows Media Center to Windows 8 Pro. You need to purchase these versions if you wish to upgrade the Operating system. You can click on the link for more information http://bit.ly/Rg2TYL .
- Would that (fresh installation) work too with any non-DELL Windows 8 Pro installation media? - Or would I have to (create and) use the DELL System Recovery Media of exactly this PC? - And if so: Would the installer also install all the other, non-Microsoft-Software (the bloatware) too?
Actually I only want to install a clean and slim Windows 8 Pro on my DELL system after having replaced the disk by an SSD drive.
Regards, Hardy
PS: I am a very loyal DELL fan since the '80 but will stop this ASAP and for good reasons if I cannot do a clean installation with my DELL-purchased Windows version.
The add features in the control panel is for media centre which you should be able to get for free for a limited time. See here.
I am trying to look for some information on a clean installation. Dell have been hit by Microsoft's strange plan for OEM media reduction and as such Dell aren't shipping Windows 7 or 8 Reinstallation DVDs out to customers with systems or giving customers the option. I am trying to find some more information about requesting installation media from Dell.
Hi DELL-APPU S, I have by mistake removed Windows 8 that came preinstalled with my Dell laptop.How do I reinstall it?
I called Dell and they said that I will have to buy a Windows 8 software without the license as the license is embedded into my system.Is that correct?
If yes please do tell me from to get this I mean just software because I searched over net and there weren't any useful results.
I would like to have the service tag of the computer to check and assist you further.
I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name ‘DELL-Ravi Ch’ highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.
I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide the system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message. Please let me know if this helps.
I have a question regarding the Add feature on Windows 8.1, because my product is running on Windows 8 when purchased and i just upgraded to windows 8.1, and i tried to use 'Add Features' on Windows 8.1 it's asking for a Product Key why is that?
as i read Mr. Appu's reply to the recent post, he said "the product key remains active 'unless' there are significant hardware changes such as motherboard or hard drive replacement". Well my hard drive was replaced because it ran into a hard disk failure, does this mean i need to purchase a product key?
Adding Features to WINDOWS would be DVD Codec or from Home to PRO with a new Key.
This is not the same as Programs/Features install.
Pro Pack Keys are $100 and DVD Codecs are $10
Dell Windows 8 media will not ask for a key as its stored in the BIOS.
There are no visible COA stickers for Windows 8 factory installed systems.
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"
DELL-Appu S
4 Operator
•
3.1K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 18:00
Hi Vanironscorp,
Windows 8 systems are pre-activated from factory. Once the PC is activated, it remains active unless there are significant hardware changes such as motherboard or hard drive replacement. If you re-install Windows on the computer, there is no need for the product key as it is injected on the motherboard from factory.
Please reply if you have any questions.
vanironscorp
2 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 19:00
Thank you very much. Just to confirm, I can do a refresh or a complete reinstall and I will not be asked for a product key.
What about in control panel "add features to windows 8" is asking for a product key? I should be able to add features since I have a full, activated version of Windows 8.
DELL-Appu S
4 Operator
•
3.1K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 21:00
Hi Vanironscorp,
Thank you for your response. If you perform a refresh, you won’t be asked for a product key.
By using ‘add feature to Windows 8’ option, you can upgrade to different versions of Windows 8: like Windows 8 Pro or add Windows Media Center to Windows 8 Pro. You need to purchase these versions if you wish to upgrade the Operating system. You can click on the link for more information http://bit.ly/Rg2TYL .
Please reply if you have any questions.
hardysofty
2 Posts
0
November 12th, 2012 06:00
Hi DELL-APPU S
I do have some related questions:
- Would that (fresh installation) work too with any non-DELL Windows 8 Pro installation media?
- Or would I have to (create and) use the DELL System Recovery Media of exactly this PC?
- And if so: Would the installer also install all the other, non-Microsoft-Software (the bloatware) too?
Actually I only want to install a clean and slim Windows 8 Pro on my DELL system after
having replaced the disk by an SSD drive.
Regards,
Hardy
PS: I am a very loyal DELL fan since the '80 but will stop this ASAP and for good reasons if I cannot
do a clean installation with my DELL-purchased Windows version.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
November 12th, 2012 14:00
The add features in the control panel is for media centre which you should be able to get for free for a limited time. See here.
I am trying to look for some information on a clean installation. Dell have been hit by Microsoft's strange plan for OEM media reduction and as such Dell aren't shipping Windows 7 or 8 Reinstallation DVDs out to customers with systems or giving customers the option. I am trying to find some more information about requesting installation media from Dell.
accash
2 Posts
0
November 25th, 2012 20:00
Hi DELL-APPU S, I have by mistake removed Windows 8 that came preinstalled with my Dell laptop.How do I reinstall it?
I called Dell and they said that I will have to buy a Windows 8 software without the license as the license is embedded into my system.Is that correct?
If yes please do tell me from to get this I mean just software because I searched over net and there weren't any useful results.
DELL-Ravi Ch
7 Technologist
•
7.1K Posts
0
November 28th, 2012 22:00
Hi accash,
I would like to have the service tag of the computer to check and assist you further.
I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name ‘DELL-Ravi Ch’ highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.
I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide the system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message. Please let me know if this helps.
PrinsipeJc
3 Posts
0
August 27th, 2014 02:00
Greetings sir,
I have a question regarding the Add feature on Windows 8.1, because my product is running on Windows 8 when purchased and i just upgraded to windows 8.1, and i tried to use 'Add Features' on Windows 8.1 it's asking for a Product Key why is that?
as i read Mr. Appu's reply to the recent post, he said "the product key remains active 'unless' there are significant hardware changes such as motherboard or hard drive replacement". Well my hard drive was replaced because it ran into a hard disk failure, does this mean i need to purchase a product key?
Hoping for your immediate reply.
Thank you in advance.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
September 2nd, 2014 13:00
Adding Features to WINDOWS would be DVD Codec or from Home to PRO with a new Key.
This is not the same as Programs/Features install.
Pro Pack Keys are $100 and DVD Codecs are $10
Dell Windows 8 media will not ask for a key as its stored in the BIOS.
There are no visible COA stickers for Windows 8 factory installed systems.
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
www.belarc.com/free_download.html