dankyle67
asked on
Windows 8 to 8.1 upgrade
Hi,
one of our users upgraded her windows 8 to 8.1 pro with media edition and it kept asking for the product code so when
she gave the product code to microsoft support they said the reason shes having problems with activating is that the product code she is using is from the original windows 8 but this doesnt match the upgraded version of 8.1. This in itself
didnt make sense to me since i thought the upgrade to 8.1 was free but why would it require a new product key and why didnt microsoft support advise her of how to proceed? Does this scenario sound normal with the requirement of a separate product key for 8.1 when upgrading from 8? Thanks.
one of our users upgraded her windows 8 to 8.1 pro with media edition and it kept asking for the product code so when
she gave the product code to microsoft support they said the reason shes having problems with activating is that the product code she is using is from the original windows 8 but this doesnt match the upgraded version of 8.1. This in itself
didnt make sense to me since i thought the upgrade to 8.1 was free but why would it require a new product key and why didnt microsoft support advise her of how to proceed? Does this scenario sound normal with the requirement of a separate product key for 8.1 when upgrading from 8? Thanks.
Windows 8.1 upgrade is only free to retail Windows 8 customers. Users with Enterprise or Select licenses must pay for the 8.1 upgrade.
ASKER
So if she had windows 8 pro version instead of the home edition she has to pay for the upgrade to 8.1?
ASKER
She did the upgrade via the Microsoft store as a 4.7g download. She didn't even want to do it but now can't roll back
All upgrades are free. VL customers will of course only get it if there contract isn't yet expired.
If you upgrade via the store, this should not happen, the supporters are clueless for sure. It should not ask for activation, not on pro nor on "home". This will be a bug somehow caused by certain rare conditions, but I can't tell you which. I have 8 pro with media center and upgraded it via store and didn't have to reactivate.
Try the phone activation, when it comes to asking "on how many machines..." just answer "1".
If you upgrade via the store, this should not happen, the supporters are clueless for sure. It should not ask for activation, not on pro nor on "home". This will be a bug somehow caused by certain rare conditions, but I can't tell you which. I have 8 pro with media center and upgraded it via store and didn't have to reactivate.
Try the phone activation, when it comes to asking "on how many machines..." just answer "1".
ASKER
Yea it sounds like microsoft doesnt know what is correct procedure and from what you are saying, it seems much clearer that she should not be getting prompted for activation. Shes had the laptop for nearly a year so its unlikely that she could have gone all this time without ever having activated the original windows 8 version correct?
Whatever, let's not speculate but (phone-)activate.
Let me rephrase. Enterprise VLS customers using MAK or KMS activation can only upgrade using Windows 8.1 VLS media (ISO), not the store. If using KMS, you must update your KMS server(s) before it will activate.
Matt, the upgrade is already done, it used the store.
ASKER
That is correct
ASKER
Just logged into her laptop and selected activate windows but it says product keycode doesnt match version and choices are to purchase new keycode or contact microsoft but no choice for phone activation. My question is is it possible for windows 8 pro to be used for 8 months without it being activated? Im trying to find out if her original windows 8 was ever activated in the first place.
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ASKER
ran the slui 4 command but it just brings back the same line showing administrator. I told them to call back microsoft and to have them activate over the phone.
> it just brings back the same line showing administrator
What should that mean? Could you quote the error message?
What should that mean? Could you quote the error message?
ASKER
We ended up just paying for the new product code for 8.1 since microsoft said this is the way they are doing it now.
Usually, from Windows 8, you'd head to the Windows Store app and then download the 8.1 update there. It's about a 4.5 Gb download, and then it installs on reboot. You can still work while it's downloading.
Was Windows 8 authenticated before the 8.1 update?