Reinstall Windows 8.1?

[ClickRight]

Hi All,

We mostly deal with business systems, so not much in the way of Windows 8 has been coming in. This morning, a client dropped off their Dell tower which had Vista originally, then upgraded to Windows 7, and finally to Windows 8.1

Long story short, the hard drive is toast and we need to reinstall Windows 8.1.

How do we get the client's Windows 8.1 download and license?

I figured it would be attached to their MS account. I spoke with my client and he said he checked both of his MS accounts and cannot find a thing relating to Windows 8. He also doesn't seem to have a receipt or invoice copy.

 

[Vicenarian]

I'm not sure if Microsoft actually sold 8.1 upgrades online (if that's the method he used), but anyway, if he purchased Windows 8 online from Microsoft, then he should have received an email with the license key.

Once you have the license key, you can go here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Enter the key, and it will let you download/install Windows 8/8.1

Now...I'm not totally sure if you will have to re-install Vista/7 first, but I'll let you know of my own experience.

I have an old Acer desktop that came with Vista...bought the Windows 8 upgrade online from Microsoft a while back. Anyway, had to re-install 8 again because some stuff got screwed up, and since I already created the Windows 8 upgrade disc, I just stuck that in the DVD drive, booted it, entered the Windows 8 license key I purchased, and it let me do a clean install (didn't have to re-install Vista first or anything).


Edit: But if you don't have a Windows 8/8.1 upgrade disc, you might have to install Vista/7 first, activate, then download the Windows 8 setup stuff via the link above, unfortunately.

 

[designwebs]

I entered the key the that Asus sent me and it says It says to check again and try again.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Is the drive so toast, that you are unable to use a key finder?

 

[nlinecomputers]

http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Better solution imo might be to install and activate 7, download the windows 10 media creation tool and go ahead and upgrade them to Windows 10, get them off of 8.1 altogether. This way you save yourself hassles of getting that key, and can turn that around quick for cash.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Better solution imo might be to install and activate 7, download the windows 10 media creation tool and go ahead and upgrade them to Windows 10, get them off of 8.1 altogether. This way you save yourself hassles of getting that key, and can turn that around quick for cash.

Gotta have the key for Windows 7 to do that.