I have the product key to upgrade windows 8.1 to windows 8.1 Pro.
After a hard drive crash, can I install windows 8.1 Pro using the same license? Or shall I install windows 8.1 and use the key to upgrade it to windows 8.1 Pro?
Windows 8
Last Comment
Michael Best
8/22/2022 - Mon
Dan Craciun
AFAIK, you can clean install Win 8.1 Pro and use the key you have.
Don't know if you're not legally required to install Win 8.1 first, but technically you don't have to.
HTH,
Dan
Michael Best
If your PC is running Windows 8.1, you can get Windows 8.1 Pro Pack and enjoy all the features of Windows 8.1 Pro as well as Windows Media Center for $99.99 USD
We get it - no one likes a content blocker. Take one extra minute and find out why we block content.
Not exactly the question you had in mind?
Sign up for an EE membership and get your own personalized solution. With an EE membership, you can ask unlimited troubleshooting, research, or opinion questions.
Unlimited question asking, solutions, articles and more.
Ehab Tarabay
ASKER
checking these two contradictory comments:
Michael-Best"The key is only for upgrade so you must first repair the install or reinstall windows 8.1 then you can use the update key to go to windows 8.1 Pro."
Dan Craciun:
"AFAIK, you can clean install Win 8.1 Pro and use the key you have."
Michael-Best"The key is only for upgrade so you must first repair the install or reinstall windows 8.1 then you can use the update key to go to windows 8.1 Pro."
Dan Craciun:
"AFAIK, you can clean install Win 8.1 Pro and use the key you have."
this is why i requested the deletion of the question, cause i cloned the old drive to the new one, so i ended up not testing any of the above to accredit a correct answer to them.
Dan Craciun
Both answers are correct:
- legally, you should install Windows 8.1, then upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro
- technically, you can install directly Windows 8.1 Pro.
Ehab Tarabay
ASKER
Actually no,
legally and technically it does not work, I needed to install windows 8.1, and then use that code to upgrade it to PRO.
that code doesn't work on a clean win 8.1 pro installation.
I started with Experts Exchange in 2004 and it's been a mainstay of my professional computing life since. It helped me launch a career as a programmer / Oracle data analyst
William Peck
Michael Best
My comments supply correct information.
If you think that they do not help or that awarding points is detrimental? , then that is your choice.
As volunteers our only satisfaction is the recognition of helping by being awarded points ( points do not earn $ )
Regards,
Michael
Don't know if you're not legally required to install Win 8.1 first, but technically you don't have to.
HTH,
Dan