Upgrading Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
I have new HP Envy laptop that came with Windows 8. I have a Windows 8 Pro CD I purchased a while back and never used. I want to upgrade to 8 Pro.
I run the setup from from 8 and it acts as its doing the upgrade. It never mentions upgrading just does a install. Reboots several times and acts as if it performed the upgrade. It stays at windows 8 and never asks for a key. I then boot off the CD and I get to an upgrade option. When I choose that option I get a message that says:
"the computer started using the Windows installation media. Remove the installation media and restart your the upgrade. (do not select ICustome (advanced) to perform an upgrade. ICustome (advanced) installs a new copy of Windows and deletes your programs and settings."
I have followed these instructions several times. Deleted the windows\temp folder and performed a clean boot. There are now external devices. There are no AV programs installed. The only programs are Adobe Suite, Office 2013, and SWTOR. I am scratching my head at this point. Only thing I can think of is a total format and re-install. I would prefer to upgrade. It has become a bit of a challenge at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I run the setup from from 8 and it acts as its doing the upgrade. It never mentions upgrading just does a install. Reboots several times and acts as if it performed the upgrade. It stays at windows 8 and never asks for a key. I then boot off the CD and I get to an upgrade option. When I choose that option I get a message that says:
"the computer started using the Windows installation media. Remove the installation media and restart your the upgrade. (do not select ICustome (advanced) to perform an upgrade. ICustome (advanced) installs a new copy of Windows and deletes your programs and settings."
I have followed these instructions several times. Deleted the windows\temp folder and performed a clean boot. There are now external devices. There are no AV programs installed. The only programs are Adobe Suite, Office 2013, and SWTOR. I am scratching my head at this point. Only thing I can think of is a total format and re-install. I would prefer to upgrade. It has become a bit of a challenge at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ASKER
Both OS's are 64 bit. The pro CD is one I purchased during the promotions a while back.
I wonder if I will have to pay for anytime upgrade if I already own Pro. Its a shame you can't just upgrade with the disc. I figured it was time to jump in and learn this OS since clients are starting to use it. Though reluctantly. It does explain why it does not work though.
I wonder if I will have to pay for anytime upgrade if I already own Pro. Its a shame you can't just upgrade with the disc. I figured it was time to jump in and learn this OS since clients are starting to use it. Though reluctantly. It does explain why it does not work though.
Retail keys and OEM keys are different and do not mix. So you have two options as I see it:
1. If you have a good Windows 7 (or even Vista) 64-bit DVD, you can do a fresh install with that and upgrade using your Windows 8 Pro 64-bit upgrade DVD. I did that: Rebuilt a drive with my retail Windows 7 Pro 64-bit DVD and then applied the Windows 8 Pro 64-bit upgrade. Worked great.
2 You can keep you system as is, purchase the Anytime Upgrade and apply it. This assumes your system is running top-notch. Downside of course, is the extra purchase.
... Thinkpads_User
1. If you have a good Windows 7 (or even Vista) 64-bit DVD, you can do a fresh install with that and upgrade using your Windows 8 Pro 64-bit upgrade DVD. I did that: Rebuilt a drive with my retail Windows 7 Pro 64-bit DVD and then applied the Windows 8 Pro 64-bit upgrade. Worked great.
2 You can keep you system as is, purchase the Anytime Upgrade and apply it. This assumes your system is running top-notch. Downside of course, is the extra purchase.
... Thinkpads_User
I figured it was time to jump in and learn this OS since clients are starting to use it.
I agree. I purchased a Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Lenovo ThinkPad X230. I have now spent 4 months with Windows 8 and have ironed out many of the bugs. It took nearly 3 months for Lenovo to fix driver and application problems. It took nearly 2 months to get Adobe, CommView, NCP and other application patches. But the system works very smoothly at this point.
I learned that most but very certainly not all Windows 7 software will run on Windows 8. I spent 2 months prior to getting the laptop upgrading all my software. Most all software had "Windows 8 compliant" upgrades to do.
So learning Windows 8 well is an excellent idea.
... Thinkpads_User
I agree. I purchased a Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Lenovo ThinkPad X230. I have now spent 4 months with Windows 8 and have ironed out many of the bugs. It took nearly 3 months for Lenovo to fix driver and application problems. It took nearly 2 months to get Adobe, CommView, NCP and other application patches. But the system works very smoothly at this point.
I learned that most but very certainly not all Windows 7 software will run on Windows 8. I spent 2 months prior to getting the laptop upgrading all my software. Most all software had "Windows 8 compliant" upgrades to do.
So learning Windows 8 well is an excellent idea.
... Thinkpads_User
did you try booting into your OEM Windows 8, inserting the windows 8 pro disk, select setup and then upgrade? (did you first turn off secure boot in your bios?)
ASKER
Did not try booting OEM as I did not get a disk. I will probably have to call HP to get one. I did not turn off the secure boot as 8 should work with that, but will give it a try. I suppose I will check the price of the anytime and compare that to the cost of a new drive.
I should be able to install a new drive and install my windows pro on it. To bad SSD drive are so freakishly expensive for anything over 256/512. I might try give MS a call just to see if they might give me a way to use my retail key. I doubt it though. It would be good to know as I am sure to be asked this question by a client. I already have 2 that want me to downgrade them back to 7 pro. It was fun learning about the bios change you need to do to make that happen.
Thank you all for the input. You saved me some serious head banging.
I should be able to install a new drive and install my windows pro on it. To bad SSD drive are so freakishly expensive for anything over 256/512. I might try give MS a call just to see if they might give me a way to use my retail key. I doubt it though. It would be good to know as I am sure to be asked this question by a client. I already have 2 that want me to downgrade them back to 7 pro. It was fun learning about the bios change you need to do to make that happen.
Thank you all for the input. You saved me some serious head banging.
You currently have a non working computer? It won't boot into the original windows?
ASKER
Computer works just fine. Boots into Windows 8. It is a new HP Envy laptop. Got it from Costco. Months back I had purchased 2 copies of 8 Pro when the had the promotions. I wanted to upgrade this laptop from 8 to 8 Pro. It should be a simple thing or so I thought.
I am now attempting to add the Key that came with the 8 Pro disks. Under system properties there is a link that says "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" I clicked on that and it gives an option to purchase a key or use an existing one.
Its currently running. We shall see what happens. I will keep you posted.
I am now attempting to add the Key that came with the 8 Pro disks. Under system properties there is a link that says "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" I clicked on that and it gives an option to purchase a key or use an existing one.
Its currently running. We shall see what happens. I will keep you posted.
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I clicked on that and it gives an option to purchase a key or use an existing one.
Good news! I have not run across that option so I was not aware of it.
... Thinkpads_User
Good news! I have not run across that option so I was not aware of it.
... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
I am glad that I was able to help somebody during this adventure.
ASKER
I figured it out on my own, but being able to talk to others really helped keep me focused.
You are trying to use a Pro DVD with one key to upgrade an OEM Windows Home system. I do not think that will work.
The easiest way is via Anytime Upgrade.
I do assume the existing Windows 8 (Home) system is 64-bit. Please verify that because a change from 32-bit to 64-bit requires a complete re-install.
.... Thinkpads_User