How do I find the product key for Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-11-02T17:23:25+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

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.

0 comments

191 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-02T18:30:34+00:00

    If you are taking advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 8.1 it must be download and installed from the Store. If I understand you correctly you downloaded or are trying to download from a Microsoft Web site. That download is for those that have to purchase Windows 8.1. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

    Edit: No key needed when you download from the store

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-02T22:13:21+00:00

    The problem this is causing us is that to do any repair or recovery you need installation media.  To create a recovery DVD or thumb drive, you have to have a Windows 8.1 product key,  Since none was provided as part of the free download, the question is: How do we obtain a key? I suppose we could contact Microsoft Support when we have a problem but that would be unnecessary if we had a key.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-02T23:29:02+00:00

    You don't! If you have installed Windows 8 using its own key and then upgraded to Windows 8.1 from the Store the only key you have is the Windows 8 key.

    If in the future you need to reinstall you cannot load Windows 8.1 directly but have to go through the same process of installing Windows 8 and then upgrading. If you want to avoid that make sure you create and save a system image. A system image recovery onto the same computer will not require the key to be entered, neither will a refresh or reset install on an OEM system.

    This has been discussed many times on here and there is no shortcut. Microsoft will not issue a key to allow direct install as this would then be a free license to install it on a second computer.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2013-12-02T23:31:20+00:00

    This is the only way to get it free. Once you have install Windows 8.1, create a recovery Partition and then a recovery drive and use this to recover, or refresh. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to assist you.

    The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

    "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments