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Need help with windows key, from laptop to pc

Started by Mike5050 , Jun 26 2020 04:30 PM

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64 replies to this topic

#16 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 10:48 AM

My main goal was to get 8.1 onto my pc and get it working then worry about windows 10. I guess at this point I just need to get my key and go from there

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#17 Drillingmachine

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 11:10 AM

Yeah. Just make sure you have 8.1 install media available.


#18 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 11:50 AM

So about media tools. I've ran Linux off of USB stick before. So I know Windows has a similar media tool(if I'm assuming correctly lol) would I just install 8.1 then after its installed put in my key? Or do I make a media tool using the key then install? Thanks again for the help

#19 Drillingmachine

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 12:20 PM

Make USB drive using that https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

 

and install. You may type key during installation or after it. Probably better to put it during install so validity is checked immediately (but not activation wise).


#20 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 12:30 PM

Ok.

1. Make 8iso media tool?
2. Install 8
3. During install input key

4. Obviously if it works everything is ok?
5. If it does not work, I will just have 8 on my pc but not active?
6. If it does not work during install should I try key after?

Thanks

#21 Drillingmachine

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 12:46 PM

1-3 yes

4. If key is totally wrong, installer will tell it, if it's OEM key installer should accept it

5. You can install without key but if it's not activated, it may cause problems

6. That probably won't make difference but perhaps it will


#22 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 12:52 PM

Okay I think I'm on same page now.

In other words if it doesn't work during install it is not an OEM key?

#23 Drillingmachine

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 01:03 PM

Very probably yes. Installer have basic check for key and if key does not meet certain parameters, it's considered invalid and installer will tell it's not correct. I expect installer to accept only Retail and OEM keys.


#24 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 01:19 PM

Okay is there a way to tell before hand if it's an OEM?

Reason I ask is I have the parts to build my pc but haven't yet as I need os and I'd prefer windows as I'm going to be gaming.

So I've got my key using PowerShell, should I try a few other ways just to make sure Im getting their right key?


Edited by hamluis, 28 June 2020 - 03:41 PM.
Merged posts - Hamluis.

#25 Drillingmachine

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 03:36 PM

Okay is there a way to tell before hand if it's an OEM?

Easy.

 

Click Start then type: CMD

Right click CMD

Click Run as administrator

 

At the command prompt type: slmgr.vbs /dlv

Hit Enter

 

 

Reason I ask is I have the parts to build my pc but haven't yet as I need os and I'd prefer windows as I'm going to be gaming.

So I've got my key using PowerShell, should I try a few other ways just to make sure Im getting their right key?

https://www.belarc.com/products_belarc_advisor should also retrieve key.


#26 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 04:11 PM

I'll try it your way I did do a couple of test.

I used PowerShell and got 3 keys

1st try. I got a key

2nd try. I got a key, but didn't match 1st time key

3rd try. I got a key that matched the 2nd try, also it told my I had windows 8.1, 64bit also product ID and product key. The product ID had aaoem at the end, I don't know if that means it's an oem key.

Hopefully this helps a little

#27 Mike5050

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Posted 28 June 2020 - 04:18 PM

When I run the cmd command what am I looking for in windows script host?

I ask because in that window is partial product key and that partial matches my 1st try key. So little confused

Edited by Mike5050, 28 June 2020 - 04:22 PM.

#28 Drillingmachine

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Posted 29 June 2020 - 05:22 AM

slmgr.vbs /dlv should tell if channel is Retail or OEM

 

Product ID doesn't matter, Product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx) is what you want. Try with Belarc Arvisor to get key too. aaoem at end of product key is strong indication about OEM key.

 

Probably key you got first time is correct if that script host partial key matches with first one but still try with Belarc to be sure.


#29 Mike5050

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Posted 29 June 2020 - 05:50 AM

So are OEM key/license transferable? It's legit copy and I have the key so I would like to know if it's legal to use an oem key as I see them for sale all the time

#30 Drillingmachine

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Posted 29 June 2020 - 08:54 AM

Officially it's not. Practically it is. However it's pretty hard to tell Microsoft they should allow transfer. Same thing as this "Windows 10 upgrade offer". Officially it ended years ago, practically it still works.

 

As I said earlier, legal issues are all about where you're living. Basically Microsoft have better things to do than hunt for single user.


Back to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1


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