Can you activate windows 8.1 with a windows 8 key?

[alcoholbob]

I've been running Windows 10 on my HTPC for a while--upgraded from Windows 8 Pro. My hard drive died the other day (got a no boot device error while posting).

I recently bought a new SSD but had to go through the Windows 8 -> Windows 10 Upgrade cycle again with it. Usually what I do is activate Windows 8, then upgrade to 8.1, then do Windows 10 Upgrade. Problem is I might have screwed up and installed Windows 8, and upgraded to 8.1 before activating. Now I can't activate it (says key is blocked by activation server--I've reinstalled a few times due to viruses) and also the slui 4/phone activation server is not accepting my codes (when in the past it's always worked).

Do I need to reinstall Windows 8 and activate it before upgrading to Windows 8.1? Does my activation issue sound like its because I'm trying to activate a Windows 8 Pro key on Windows 8.1?

Thanks!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It is almost 5 A.M. here and I had a large time tonight. Hence I may or may not have a firm grasp of what you wrote. Disclaimer given, I go on.

You have activated win 10 on the system so you no longer have to go through the incremental upgrade cycle anymore. Go here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

Follow the directions for creating the installation media on a USB thumb drive or optical media if that is all you have. When you run the install, skip the part where it asks for the product key. It will auto activate since you already had win 10 on the system. It is that easy.

 

[JackMDS]

Windows 10 is should vbe Activated to by using Win 8 key (provided that this key was not use already to Activated other computer).

 

[alcoholbob]

Nevermind, got my answer when I reinstalled Windows 8 and it activated without a problem. I've updated to 8.1 and now in the process of updating to Windows 10.

The reason I went through this process is because Windows 10 won't activate if you have any hardware changes, and my hard drive died. I've had to do this even when replacing motherboard with the same model--I've gone through 3 motherboards due to the weak Intel motherboard pin system--caused by me trying and comparing half a dozen CPU coolers trying to build the most silent & compact HTPC I can and unfortunately mounting and unmounting coolers (even without removing the CPU) has blown up quite a few my (admittedly bottom of the barrel cheap $50 ITX) motherboards due the mounting mechanisms. Each time I've had to completely start from the beginning of installing Windows 8->8.1->10 because the Windows 10 activation server would not accept my new hardware.

As far as Jack, your concern about activating it on another computer, I guess that depends on Microsoft's definitions. I bought four Windows 8 Pro discs back when during launch when they were selling for $35, and only used two of them so far (on my main and HTPC) so I have plenty of spare keys. But I certainly have replaced hardware--motherboards and hard drives (sometimes due to my ineptitude). I don't consider them separate computers, but perhaps some might. But that's why I have spare keys--if they stop working one day during a reinstall I'll just use my extra ones.

But either way, I've figured it out. Windows 8 Pro keys won't activate Windows 8.1, so you have to activate it first before upgrading to 8.1 on a new install.

 

[Elixer]

The reason I went through this process is because Windows 10 won't activate if you have any hardware changes, and my hard drive died. I've had to do this even when replacing motherboard with the same model--I've gone through 3 motherboards due to the weak Intel motherboard pin system--caused by me trying and comparing half a dozen CPU coolers trying to build the most silent & compact HTPC I can and unfortunately mounting and unmounting coolers (even without removing the CPU) has blown up quite a few my (admittedly bottom of the barrel cheap $50 ITX) motherboards due the mounting mechanisms. Each time I've had to completely start from the beginning of installing Windows 8->8.1->10 because the Windows 10 activation server would not accept my new hardware.

A HD/SSD/GPU change shouldn't trigger a reactivation.
A motherboard might, but, you just call MS, and they will fix it.

The problem with doing a upgrade like you are doing is that it can lead to hidden issues that you will have no idea about. That is why people really should do clean installs for a new OS.

 

[alcoholbob]

A HD/SSD/GPU change shouldn't trigger a reactivation.
A motherboard might, but, you just call MS, and they will fix it.

The problem with doing a upgrade like you are doing is that it can lead to hidden issues that you will have no idea about. That is why people really should do clean installs for a new OS.

I'm still choosing the clean install option for Windows 10 every time though. You have that choice with when you are going from 8.1 -> 10, since the 10 activation server is just checking to see if you activated your last Windows install to authenticate the key they give you. I never do upgrade except for service pack upgrades.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It is your choice Bob, but that methodology is major wasted time, and completely unnecessary. Some of what you wrote is FUD too. I have changed vid cards, ssd, hdd, and CPUs with no issue. Even a mainboard is easily dealt with. After installing, when it fails to activate you can use the activation troubleshooter to tell it you recently changed hardware. It does require that you have the install linked to an MS account though. You can revert back to local afterwards, if you so choose. But as long as you only use that copy of 10 on one PC at a time, MS is being very chill about it so far.

For anyone that finds themselves here through a search, follow the instructions I linked for creating win 10 install media. Skip the enter key part, and enjoy a fast, simple, install.