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Original title: Product Key
I downloaded Windows 8.1 (free) from the Microsoft web site. My understanding was that in doing so, a new product key would be generated. I do not know where/how to find the new product key. Can someone help me out with this? Was I mistaken and do I use the product key I have for Windows 8?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Thanks, that's what I thought. I was getting that annoying MS nag bar across the screen for updating to 8.1. I was pleased with 8.0 but finally clicked the upgrade just to stop the nagging.
It was seamless, no product key needed.
My annoyance now is not having the product key, but thanks to belarc site, got it.
I am still angry with Dell for failing to help on this.
Thanks but I don't understand. How could I use the wrong edition of Windows? The laptop came with 8.0, and the MS nag screen said I could upgrade to 8.1. I clicked the MS link and it installed 8.1. Works perfectly, and now I have the little MS flag alerting me to Win 10.
How could I do anything wrong?
If its installed and activated without prompting for a product key its the correct edition. If you got the enter product key screen during installation it is the wrong edition.
Thanks but I don't understand. How could I use the wrong edition of Windows? The laptop came with 8.0, and the MS nag screen said I could upgrade to 8.1. I clicked the MS link and it installed 8.1. Works perfectly, and now I have the little MS flag alerting me to Win 10.
How could I do anything wrong?
I bought a Dell with 8.0 and the freebie to 8.1. Realizing I had no good recovery method in case of crash [oddly enough, dell does not supply one] I found the USB recovery method and file on MS.
Excellent product and installed to USB. At the end of the install, the MS msg said: "You must have valid product key when using this recovery."
Okay, called Dell, dead end. They had the nerve to ask why I would want a recovery disk and product key.
Likely you have used the wrong Edition for example you have used Windows 8.1 opposed to Windows 8.1 Single Language to install, see here where I give detailed notes:
I bought a Dell with 8.0 and the freebie to 8.1. Realizing I had no good recovery method in case of crash [oddly enough, dell does not supply one] I found the USB recovery method and file on MS.
Excellent product and installed to USB. At the end of the install, the MS msg said: "You must have valid product key when using this recovery."
Okay, called Dell, dead end. They had the nerve to ask why I would want a recovery disk and product key.
