locked
What's the builder Windows Key to upgrade from Windows 8.0 NON-PRO to 8.1 NON-PRO? RRS feed

 > 

  • Question

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    This question is about installing from *already downloaded* media in parts of the country where only copper line internet connections exist so multi-GB downloads are not really an easy option.

    If you have a Windows 8.1 ISO and want to go from Windows 8.0 Pro to 8.1 Pro you cannot use your retail key to do so.
    You must first use builder key
    GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9
    to get the update going and only after it updates do you then change the Windows Key to your own that came with Windows 8.0.


    I just found out the hard way if you do this with laptops then they will go from Windows 8.0 NON-PRO to 8.1 PRO with that builder key and you will not be able to activate 8.1 with your 8.0 key because your key is NON-PRO and you updated to PRO using key GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9

    WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT 8.1 NON-PRO KEY TO UPDATE Windows 8.0 NON-PRO LAPTOPS like Dell or HP?

    I keep trying the ones I found in old threads and none seem to get the 8.1 ISO to take them... I have no problems getting the 8.1 ISO to take the PRO builder key GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9

    Do we have an option of upgrading Windows 8.0 NON-PRO laptops to 8.1 NON-PRO without downloading the multi-GB download and instead, only using already created 8.1 installation media? If so, using which key? Since 8.0 keys cannot be used to get 8.1 installed.


    • Edited by c6276272 Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:41 PM
    Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:04 PM

All replies

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

     

    Windows 8.1 retail can be evaluated by use of generic product keys:

     

    Core/Home=334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

    Core/Home N=6NPQ8-PK64X-W4WMM-MF84V-RGB89

    Core/Home Single Language=Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC

    Professional=XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

    Professional N=JRBBN-4Q997-H4RM2-H3B7W-Q68KC

    Professional with Media Centre=GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT

     

    For your reference:

    https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/installation-of-windows-8-1-with-a-windows-8-0-retail-product-key-notes/

    Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

     

    For more information, please refer to the following article.

    Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8

     

    Hope above information can help you.

    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
    If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

    Wednesday, July 15, 2020 2:20 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    None of the keys above allowed Windows 8.1 ISO installation to proceed from within a Windows 8.0 NON-PRO laptop.

    Windows 8.1 ISO can be installed through this key

    GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9

    - however that key will turn a standard 8.0 non-Pro laptop into a 8.1 PRO thereby making it impossible to activate thereafter with its own 8.0 NON-PRO key.


    What is the key that would install Windows 8.1 NON-PRO as the keys posted above do not allow Windows 8.1 ISO installation to proceed if you launch a Win 8.1 ISO Setup from within a standard Win 8.0 laptop.





    • Edited by c6276272 Wednesday, July 15, 2020 5:04 PM
    Wednesday, July 15, 2020 5:02 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

     

    Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 are two separate systems(like windows 7 and windows 8), not one system and its higher version(such as windows 7 and windows 7 sp1).

    Therefore, we need to use installation media file to upgrade to Windows 8.1 from windows 8. During windows 8.1 installing you can skip product key and then activate Windows 8.1 by your previous windows 8 key, if activate failed, try phone activation.

     

    Also, you could look forward to other reply from forum users.

    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
    If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.


    Thursday, July 16, 2020 7:49 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    You most certainly may not skip product key when UPGRADING from 8.0 to 8.1 using a downloaded 8.1 ISO.

    You also may *not* use any legitimate 8.0 key to upgrade.

    So, what key can you use?

    I was able to perform an upgrade through a full all day download but what about people who have ten laptops? Ten days of downloads?

    It's essential to be able to use 8.1 ISO media instead of the download if you are a on a copper line with no access to fiber cables, which is the case with rural areas in America and the world.

    What key can we use to upgrade from 8.0 NON-PRO to 8.1 NON-PRO?


    • Edited by c6276272 Thursday, July 16, 2020 5:30 PM
    Thursday, July 16, 2020 5:29 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

     

    You may refer to the following link for installing Windows 8.1 without a Product Key:

    https://www.techmesto.com/install-windows-8-1-without-product-key/

    Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
    If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

    Friday, July 17, 2020 7:32 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

    ei.cfg does not exist on the Windows 8.1 ISO and therefore cannot be used. When trying to upgrade a standard 8.0 laptop [not a brand new clean install - we're talking just an upgrade from 8.0 while keeping already installed programs] you are required to enter a key.

    No valid 8.0 works and no keys posted previously work, except for 8.1 PRO key which will effectively disable your 8.0 NON-PRO laptop by turning it into 8.1 PRO on which your own key will not work because your own key is 8.0 NON-PRO.

    An actual working 8.1 NON-PRO key is something that no one anywhere has posted recently. Old keys posted do not work. It appears that Microsoft forces you to download the entire multi-GB update on each and every laptop you try to upgrade.

    It appears you cannot upgrade a NON-PRO 8.0 laptop to 8.1 using already downloaded installation files. Please post if this is incorrect.


    • Edited by c6276272 Saturday, July 18, 2020 6:08 AM
    Saturday, July 18, 2020 6:07 AM