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Determine installed version of Windows 8

Got a non-booting hard disk that goes into repair loop.  [Insert long list of expletives here.]

So looking to determine whether it is standard Windows 8 or Windows 8 Professional installed on it.  (Could be 8.1 but the answer probably/should be the same).

If I install 8.1 on an 8 system it should recognize and authorize it without any problems?
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1.  Alas it's a relative (and not a customer) and quite probably all they know it is a computer (Dell Inspiron laptop).

2.  I've pulled the data off (yep, they had no backup).

3.  All the hardware tests OK using the Inspiron's diagnostics.  Chkdsk ran pretty OK but there were pauses there at times so I'm not exactly enthused over saying the hard disk is OK.  That might need replacing in future.

4.  Reinstall is where I'm heading for.  Keep hitting road blocks such as locked disk and Windows Resource Protection errors and sfc /scannow errors so it is time to reinstall.  Relative will be told.  I'd stick on Windows 10 but unsure if that pathway is still valid.
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If it is a Dell Inspiron laptop, just get its service tag and go to Dell warranty lookup website to check out the spec of the notebook.
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>>  No,  Windows 8.1 installer needs a product key during installation ...

I'm presuming this one has a Windows 8 or 8.1 number in the BIOS.  OEM not retail.  In such a case what happens because it should NOT require any product key.
Windows 8 (not 8.1) came with the key in the BIOS. Windows 8.1 was generally an upgrade.

If your machine came originally from the factory with Windows 8.1, then that key should be in the BIOS.  I never ran across the latter because all the (few) Windows 8 machines we had (including my own) came with Windows 8 and I upgraded. Then these are all gone as I upgraded all them to Windows 10 as soon as it came out.
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Ramin

I think Microsoft policy will not change and it will not activate.
OEM not retail.       Still came in the BIOS
it should NOT require any product key.

When you finish installation then  I think Windows 8.1 will activate with your Windows 8 key automatically.
All you really need to do is install the version the machine came with . That will work. If it was V8 you can upgrade to V8.1 online
>>  When you finish installation then  I think Windows 8.1 will activate with your Windows 8 key automatically.

Yes, I believe it is possible to use the Windows 8 key on a Windows 8.1 installation.  Work has to be done on one file and then it should all be possible.  But I'll be experimenting later in the week.
I also believe that for this reason:
for unknown reason Windows 8.1 will accept the Windows 8 product key if you enter it on the desktop after installing Windows 8.1.
Just some comments on progress.

License in hard disk said 8.1 (couldn't tell if it was Home or Pro from that)
Label on laptop said 8
Relative said it had 10 on it and found it was too slow so she had 10 removed and 8 (I think she meant 8.1) put on it.  That makes sense, I can see the sticker of the company that did that job on the hard disk and laptop.
Talked into going back to 10
So Windows 10 Home installed without any problem.  Mickeysoft is happy with it.  There's 4 Gb of updates pending but NOT on my bandwidth.  That'll be on the relatives.
Data restored, Classic Shell installed (I like Classic Shell) and hopefully the relative will be happy.
Windows 10 is vastly better than Windows 8 or 8.1 so that is the way to go.
Much thanks everyone.

Windows 10 installed.  Drop machine off tomorrow.  If I have to I can put 8.1 on this box, hope not.
Thanks for the update.