Windows 8.1 Pro downgrade

[RetardedRooster]

Hi guys, I have a laptop that came with Windows 8 Home pre-installed. I also have a Windows 8 Pro key that I bought when Windows 8 was released. I used that key to upgrade the laptop to Pro. However, I'm now looking into building a gaming desktop and to cut the cost I'm thinking of reusing that Pro key, while still having the original OEM key on the laptop. That should also allow me two Windows 10 upgrades instead of one.

 

Do you guys know if this is possible?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Daniel

[FizzyFantom]

This may work depending on your setup.

 

Firstly, what sort of key is your Windows 8 Pro key? If it is an OEM licence then it will now be associated with your laptop. You might be able to get this reset by contacting Microsoft given that your laptop is OEM licenced, but right now it probably won't activate on another PC. If it is a Retail licence then it will transfer to a new PC fine.

 

Secondly do you have the OEM recovery media that came with the laptop? If you do then you will be able to reload that no issue. Other companies OEM media should work with Windows 8, but it has to be the right SKU (Windows 8 Pro for you). Since the Windows 8 OEM licence is only in the BIOS you won't be able to reload it without a legitimate OEM DVD.

 

Best of luck, feel free to ask if you need more help

[RetardedRooster]

The Windows 8 Pro key is a retail key, so that should transfer without problem. However my laptop didn't come with a recovery media, although I'm able to create one with the program that came with my computer. The problem is that I'd like to downgrade my laptop without completely wiping it. Is a clean install with the OEM key the only solution?

[FizzyFantom]

The Windows 8 Pro key is a retail key, so that should transfer without problem. However my laptop didn't come with a recovery media, although I'm able to create one with the program that came with my computer. The problem is that I'd like to downgrade my laptop without completely wiping it. Is a clean install with the OEM key the only solution?

Yes, unfortunately Microsoft don't allow you to downgrade your licence, only upgrade it.

 

You will need valid OEM media to use the Windows 8 key from the BIOS, but I believe that you can use any OEMs media with Windows 8, so ask a friend if they could lend you a disk

 

Edit: If you can't find a friend with the correct OEM disk go to a local PC repair shop. I'm sure they would be glad to help and shouldn't charge too much.

[scottyseng]

The Windows 8 Pro key is a retail key, so that should transfer without problem. However my laptop didn't come with a recovery media, although I'm able to create one with the program that came with my computer. The problem is that I'd like to downgrade my laptop without completely wiping it. Is a clean install with the OEM key the only solution?

 

Yeah, you will have to clean install it. I used a OEM Windows 8 Home ISO to reinstall Windows 8 on my laptop 2 years ago (Now running Windows 10).

[NumLock21]

Just restore your laptop back to factory defaults which will go back to Win8 Home. Your laptop should have a dedicated factory partiton just for that. Look into your manual to see how to access it. And run your Win8 Pro on your new computer. It's a retail license so you're allow to transfer it to as many new computers you want, just as long it runs on only 1 computer.