Install Windows 10 Pro with a Windows 8.1 Pro OEM Key?

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  oscargamer on 21/12/2018 - 12:00

  -1

  https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-ab&q=install+…

  • 

    Sage on 21/12/2018 - 17:03

    +1

    first result is this page, infinite loop.

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  akyeeeahdude on 21/12/2018 - 12:12

  you just need to ensure you install Windows 10 as an upgrade from 8.1 first. Then once it automatically activates and attaches to the hardware ID, then you can do a clean install of Windows. I've done it a few times recently - most recently last week on a new machine that had never 10 installed previously.

  • 

    ShortyX on 21/12/2018 - 12:15

    Ta, so boot it up, upgrade to 10, activate, then do a clean install of 10?

    From what I've read though, the key should work with a clean install of 10 without upgrading the current OS.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 21/12/2018 - 12:52

      +1

      From what I've read though, the key should work with a clean install of 10 without upgrading the current OS.

      That's correct. So long as Windows 7/8 has been registered on the machine before, a fresh installation of Windows 10 on the machine will work just fine. Done this on a number of machines.

      • 

        dazweeja on 21/12/2018 - 16:24

        Clean install worked for me last week using a Windows 7 key that had not been activated on that or any other machine.

    • 

      akyeeeahdude on 21/12/2018 - 15:18

      Yeah, that's how I did it. When I tried to do a clean install of Windows 10 (on a machine running 8.1 that hadn't ran 10 before), using the 8.1 key would not work. So I figured that I had to upgrade first (Google Windows Media Creation tool and then when you run it, you select upgrade). Perhaps they ironed out the issues as soon after Windows 10 first came out, clean installs with Windows 8.1 keys simply didn't work (it would reject the key) hence I never tried this way again. Great to know if it has changed though!

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  galateric on 21/12/2018 - 14:23

  +1

  Yes You can install a clean version of windows 10 on a windows 8 license.

  Step 1. Make sure the Win8 key is activated.

  Step 2. when your installing 10 you need to make sure the version your installing is the same.
  win 8 home= win 10 home
  win8 pro = win 10 pro

  You will have to select it if it doesn't automatically pick the right one.

  You can do a win10 upgrade but its a waste of time and will keep old win8 intact that will use space on your hdd

  I have work as a technician for 10+ years and I own my business doing the same.
  Merry Xmas :)

  • 

    dazweeja on 21/12/2018 - 16:26

    I did this last week with a Windows 7 key that had not been previously activated so not sure if step 1 is necessary (might be different with 8/8.1 though).

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  dazweeja on 21/12/2018 - 16:30

  Personally, I'd just try a clean install of Windows 10 using the 8.1 key. My experience is that any other steps are not necessary.

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  nk10025 on 21/12/2018 - 17:20

  I normally install Windows 10 without any key. update windows to latest version. Then change product key from settings to Win 7 key and activate. I think this was made possible by microsoft after build 1803. Windows 8 keys also work