How to install retail Windows 8(.1) from an OEM key on a new computer

[zerge]

Have you ever tried to install Windows 8(.1) on your PC, but the installer does not accept your key due to that it's an OEM key from some other manufacturer? Well, that's due to that Microsofts retail Windows 8(.1) DVD does not allow OEM keys, and therefore you cannot install it through that installation image.

Today, I'm going to show you how to do it anyways as it requires a bit of tinkering to get it all working, but it shouldn't take more than an hour at most.

Requirements:

• Windows 8(.1) OEM Product key (If it's in your BIOS, extract it using RW Everything.)
• Retail Installation media (can be obtained from microsoft for free, requires either a USB or DVD)
• Phone (for activation)
• Generic KMS Windows 8(.1) key from Microsoft
• A PC

So what do I do?

1. First, make sure you've obtained everything above. After that boot into your Windows 8.(1) DVD and follow the installation wizard as usual, when it asks you to enter your product key, enter the generic key you obtained from Microsoft (the OEM key won't work otherwise).
2. When the PC reboots into a initial configuration screen (where you set username etc), disconnect your network and then go through the entire configuration wizard.
3. When you're on the desktop, keep internet disconnected, and open a elevated Command Prompt and run: slmgr.vbs /upk
4. Then add your Windows 8(.1) key as usual, and keep internet disconnected.
5. Select that you want to do phone verification and follow the steps on the screen, after that your PC should be ready and activated. Now, you can connect your internet again and start reinstalling drivers etc.

That's how easy it is, if anyone gets stuck feel free to mention me and I'll do my best to help you out .

[Speedbird]

Have you ever tried to install Windows 8(.1) on your PC, but the installer does not accept your key due to that it's an OEM key from some other manufacturer? Well, that's due to that Microsofts retail Windows 8(.1) DVD does not allow OEM keys, and therefore you cannot install it through that installation image.

Today, I'm going to show you how to do it anyways as it requires a bit of tinkering to get it all working, but it shouldn't take more than an hour at most.

Requirements:

• Windows 8(.1) OEM Product key (If it's in your BIOS, extract it using RW Everything.)
• Retail Installation media (can be obtained from microsoft for free, requires either a USB or DVD)
• Phone (for activation)
• Generic KMS Windows 8(.1) key from Microsoft
• A PC

So what do I do?

1. First, make sure you've obtained everything above. After that boot into your Windows 8.(1) DVD and follow the installation wizard as usual, when it asks you to enter your product key, enter the generic key you obtained from Microsoft (the OEM key won't work otherwise).
2. When the PC reboots into a initial configuration screen (where you set username etc), disconnect your network and then go through the entire configuration wizard.
3. When you're on the desktop, keep internet disconnected, and open a elevated Command Prompt and run: slmgr.vbs /upk
4. Then add your Windows 8(.1) key as usual, and keep internet disconnected.
5. Select that you want to do phone verification and follow the steps on the screen, after that your PC should be ready and activated. Now, you can connect your internet again and start reinstalling drivers etc.

That's how easy it is, if anyone gets stuck feel free to mention me and I'll do my best to help you out .

Actually it does accept 8.1 OEM keys. The only time you'll get problems is when installing 8.1 on a PC that came with 8. For that, you'd need to extract your key from the MSDM table in the BIOS, write it down, use a generic key for the install, then apply the MSDM key once installed. Also there is no need to disconnect from the internet, and there are also no KMS keys for 8.1 Core.

[zerge]

Actually it does accept 8.1 OEM keys. The only time you'll get problems is when installing 8.1 on a PC that came with 8. For that, you'd need to extract your key from the MSDM table in the BIOS, write it down, use a generic key for the install, then apply the MSDM key once installed. Also there is no need to disconnect from the internet, and there are also no KMS keys for 8.1 Core.

Well, it all depends, sometimes a key is required to actually continue the install, atleast that was the case when I installed my desktop PC from my lenovo PC's license a few months back. The disconnect internet thing is more of a safety precaution so it doesn't try to do automatic activation, which might end in that it fails. Phone verification almost work in 99% of the cases

[deviant88]

Actually that soultion is not good enough i do not recommend it to bother yourself with phone verification which is very very annoying and you have to install skype first and bla bla bla.

This method skips asking for key at installion(if its 8.1 iso install it rejects win8 key) and instead asks for it after installation before configuration setups and user creation.

Here's the method i use http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

If you already have a win8.1 skip down to the section below and do what it says,if you dont have obtain one using the guide or over internet you can find original 8.1 iso's. 

"Modify the Windows 8.1 Installation Media"

 

Its very easy and you only setup once your install and will always work,then it will ask your key after you installed windows and it will accept win8 key BUT beaware you do not skip that black screen after installion where it asks for Product Key else you will have to use the phone method again.

 

Your windows will activate by clicking Activate Online.

[Gikero]

I've always installed 8.1 Core with the KMS key then activated with the motherboard's key in the MSDM table. No phone required. The only time it was a issue was on a 8.1 With Bing installation.

[techguru]

Actually it does accept 8.1 OEM keys. The only time you'll get problems is when installing 8.1 on a PC that came with 8. For that, you'd need to extract your key from the MSDM table in the BIOS, write it down, use a generic key for the install, then apply the MSDM key once installed. Also there is no need to disconnect from the internet, and there are also no KMS keys for 8.1 Core.

this works fine..ive done it now like 60-80 times

 

get 8.0 key from bios or windows install with magic jelly bean

 

download 8.1 iso for your key version

install 8.1 ..when you get to the input key screen..you use a generic key

then once you are in windows..you change the key to yours..and activate

[Speedbird]

this works fine..ive done it now like 60-80 times

That's a lot of PCs with OA3....

[techguru]

That's a lot of PCs with OA3....

OA3?

[Speedbird]

OA3?

OEM Activation 3.0. Introduced with Windows 8, this new OA version replaces the SLP and COA keys and SLIC table with a DM key and hardware hash. The key, which can be used for online activation only, checks with MS servers for the hardware hash and checks that it matches the one from the hardware on the system. If it matches, it activates. If not, it doesn't.

[flag0]

Just use this link. Use download iso to get iso. Using the write to disk does not work with GPT+UEFI mode as it writes in MBR + legacy mode. Use an iso Writer which supports writing to GPT stile partition. Rufus works great. IT works with Laptops/PCs that came with 8 too as it has detection for all three types. Make sure you connect to WiFi or wired connection with internet access for verification.

[TTaiiLs]

Will you be able to use both the compuers?

[techguru]

Will you be able to use both the compuers?

huh

[zerge]

Actually that soultion is not good enough i do not recommend it to bother yourself with phone verification which is very very annoying and you have to install skype first and bla bla bla.

This method skips asking for key at installion(if its 8.1 iso install it rejects win8 key) and instead asks for it after installation before configuration setups and user creation.

Here's the method i use http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

If you already have a win8.1 skip down to the section below and do what it says,if you dont have obtain one using the guide or over internet you can find original 8.1 iso's. 

"Modify the Windows 8.1 Installation Media"

 

Its very easy and you only setup once your install and will always work,then it will ask your key after you installed windows and it will accept win8 key BUT beaware you do not skip that black screen after installion where it asks for Product Key else you will have to use the phone method again.

 

Your windows will activate by clicking Activate Online.

 

Well, like I previously stated, the phone verification way is just to ensure that no activation issues arise as phone verification seems to work in some cases - when online activation does not work. Therefore I added it to this tutorial, as for some people online activation might not work at all.

[zerge]

Just use this link. Use download iso to get iso. Using the write to disk does not work with GPT+UEFI mode as it writes in MBR + legacy mode. Use an iso Writer which supports writing to GPT stile partition. Rufus works great. IT works with Laptops/PCs that came with 8 too as it has detection for all three types. Make sure you connect to WiFi or wired connection with internet access for verification.

Didn't you read the tutorial? The tutorial is not for reinstalling Windows 8.1 on a PC which got a key embedded into BIOS, but to use the key from a PC with the key embedded into BIOS on a new computer.

[zerge]

OEM Activation 3.0. Introduced with Windows 8, this new OA version replaces the SLP and COA keys and SLIC table with a DM key and hardware hash. The key, which can be used for online activation only, checks with MS servers for the hardware hash and checks that it matches the one from the hardware on the system. If it matches, it activates. If not, it doesn't.

That's why phone verification is recommended - as I've had problems with OEM keys when using the key on a new PC. When online activation have not been working, phone verification have always been able to activate the key without any issues at all. It seem's like phone verification is a lot less restrict.

[Speedbird]

That's why phone verification is recommended - as I've had problems with OEM keys when using the key on a new PC. When online activation have not been working, phone verification have always been able to activate the key without any issues at all. It seem's like phone verification is a lot less restrict.

Recommended? Where did you hear about that? OEM keys are not to be transferred anyway.