windows 8.1 pro oem install using usb

Red Harbinger · September 9, 2014

hey guys, first off i want to say i dont have an optical drive in my system. Secondly, ive been trying to install 8.1 but every time i enter in the product key it says that "this product cannot be used to install a retail version of windows".... ????

Red Harbinger · September 9, 2014

anybody?

Kimmaz · September 9, 2014

@

Red Harbinger

from googleing it:

1. You'll need to find an OEM version of Win 8 to download (or get the mfg recovery disks). forum.mydigitallife.info usually has all the windows downloads.

2. You need to use the pre-installed tools on the laptop to burn a DVD/USB from the built-in recovery partition.

3. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/this-product-key-cannot-be-used-to-install-a/f7fbd6b5-afe8-4937-ba41-7f4a2ffb9506

4. The product key is tied to the bios of the computer and you cannot install another version with that key.

If you want to change the operating system you have to buy a full (expensive)version license. You cannot use the upgrade assistant that was only for upgrades from Win 7 or earlier. The offer has expired as of Jan 31. The Win 8 Pro disk you made or purchased is an upgrade disk--not a full version-- and cannot be used on Win8 core. The only full version available is System Builder OEM version available from a few online retailers.

Let me know if this is even related, and if it helps ^^ =)