Windows 8 support ending in two years, Arrrrgh!

[Oldgamer]

I am not a super techy person, in fact I just started taking some college courses at my late age to learn the basics of computers and learn some networking stuff. I am still very much a noob. I have only built one computer on my own and replaced some parts on an older computer for a family member, but I am still very much a noob and admit that.

I bought a premade inexpensive computer from Frys (ASUS) with a Windows 8 basic OS on it, and the machine didn't come with an OS key at all. In fact I called ASUS and fought with them on the phone and am being told they no longer give keys out and the key is embedded in the BIOS and inaccessible to users. There is no sticker on the outside of the computer or the inside. So I am a bit annoyed, because I wanted to get the free 8.1 of Windows since they are saying it is free to those who already have the Windows 8 OS. But when I try to upgrade the machine it prompts me to enter a key that I don't have.

I am reading this Windows 8 support ends in two years and it really urks me to no end.

In addition, I contemplated just putting a Unix based OS on this machine, but you can't install another OS quite so simply anymore. Apparently one needs to disable safe boot, and secure boot, and in addition to that make note of all the drivers for all the devices, and reload those up on the new OS. It turns out its a lengthy complicated process and Microsoft did this on purpose with premade computers.

Can anyone tell me if they might know of how to get the OS key off this computer by some other means? I am all ears if you know a way. Hopefully not to complicated for an old timer.

 

[Anubis]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=get+windows+key+out+of+bios

 

[Lyfer]

Sure be great if we had a dedicated operating system forum.

 

[Oldgamer]

Hey thanks for the info. Damn I forgot to put this in the proper forum! Sorry bout that.

 

[lxskllr]

Disabling restricted boot should be easy. If the computer is Win8 certified, restricted boot must be allowed to be disabled. A GNU/Linux distro should Just Work®, and you shouldn't have to deal with drivers. The easy way to check is by running a live session off of USB.

 

[Bateluer]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=get+windows+key+out+of+bios

Except you can't use that key with Retail media, it'll generate a mismatch error and stop. You need an OEM ISO, and that will just pull from the UEFI. Unless you've got an OEM machine with a robust enough UEFI to complete delete that stored key, you won't be upgrading to Windows 8 Pro or Windows 9 either. :/

Windows 8 is a bad memory we'd all like to forget though, and I'm pretty sure that 2yr support limit means Microsoft wants to forget about it too.

 

[GoSharks]

Does going through the Windows Store really require a key?

 

[GoSharks]

Does going through the Windows Store really require a key?

I just upgraded my 8 install through the Store. No key required.

 

[CSMR]

I am not a super techy person, in fact I just started taking some college courses at my late age to learn the basics of computers and learn some networking stuff. I am still very much a noob.
...
I contemplated just putting a Unix based OS on this machine

LOL

I wanted to get the free 8.1 of Windows...
But when I try to upgrade the machine it prompts me to enter a key that I don't have.
I am reading this Windows 8 support ends in two years and it really urks me to no end.

You are worried that this issue will be there for more than two years? I would imagine that if there are issues with upgrading the OS, they will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks.
Asus definitely will support an 8.1 upgrade: http://event.asus.com/2013/osupgrade/upgrade/
When I upgraded I was not asked for a key.

 

[TeknoBug]

I've seen conflicting info about Win 8 support, I saw it up to 2023 just like 8.1 and also saw 2015 or whatever. MS contradicting themselves again?

 

[bbhaag]

I just upgraded my 8 install through the Store. No key required.

Same thing here. Upgraded a couple of days ago and no key was needed.

 

[saratoga172]

Go through the windows store on the computer you want to upgrade. It will find the upgrade, allow you to download and install. No key required. Did this on two different machines. On was an oem windows 8 tablet install. Other was a retail install on a desktop. Both windows 8 pro.

 

[Mushkins]

Go through the windows store on the computer you want to upgrade. It will find the upgrade, allow you to download and install. No key required. Did this on two different machines. On was an oem windows 8 tablet install. Other was a retail install on a desktop. Both windows 8 pro.

Correct, I literally did this about 20 minutes ago on a brand new laptop. You can also use a local account, you do *not* need a microsoft account to do the 8.1 upgrade from the store.

 

[darkewaffle]

I've seen conflicting info about Win 8 support, I saw it up to 2023 just like 8.1 and also saw 2015 or whatever. MS contradicting themselves again?

iirc Win 8.0 support will be dropped in a few years, Win 8.1 (and the subsequent 'current' versions) will have full support until they are supplanted by new major updates (8.2, 8.3, etc).

In much the same way WinXP 'vanilla' lost support early on, XP SP1's support window was shortened with SP2's release, SP2's window was cut off with SP3's release, etc.

Point being the product itself has long term support provided you keep up to date with new releases.

 

[Oldgamer]

Go through the windows store on the computer you want to upgrade. It will find the upgrade, allow you to download and install. No key required. Did this on two different machines. On was an oem windows 8 tablet install. Other was a retail install on a desktop. Both windows 8 pro.

Correct, I literally did this about 20 minutes ago on a brand new laptop. You can also use a local account, you do *not* need a microsoft account to do the 8.1 upgrade from the store.

Ok this is a desktop, I just looked at the application store and it doesn't have any upgrade listed for windows 8.1

My only categories are games, social, entertainment, photo, music-videos, sports, books, and a whole bunch of other shit, but there is no uprade to Windows 8.1 anywhere in store. I have looked, looked, looked, nada.

Yes when I go to settings on the charm bar, and then go to PC info there is a "get more features with a newer addition of windows" and once I click that it asks for the key.

This is not the most user friendly OS in my humble opinion. Especially for an old timer like me.

 

[bbhaag]

That's a little odd that it's not in the store for you. It was a huge tile for me that filled up most the screen and all I had to do was click it.

Have you tried running Windows Update yet? See if you have any pending updates install them reset your computer and see if 8.1 appears in the store.

 

[Oldgamer]

That's a little odd that it's not in the store for you. It was a huge tile for me that filled up most the screen and all I had to do was click it.

Have you tried running Windows Update yet? See if you have any pending updates install them reset your computer and see if 8.1 appears in the store.

Jesus I am such a numnuts, the damn thing was right in front of my face. I guess I thought it was an advertisement and didn't realize that huge tile was the update! I was looking in the store for a small tile. Ok downloading it now.

Ok thanks all, I'm an idiot...lol I am downloading now.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Haha, sometimes things are _too_ obvious =)

 

[TeknoBug]

Jesus I am such a numnuts, the damn thing was right in front of my face. I guess I thought it was an advertisement and didn't realize that huge tile was the update! I was looking in the store for a small tile. Ok downloading it now.

Ok thanks all, I'm an idiot...lol I am downloading now.

^ lol I've done something like that.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Change title to Windows 8.0 support ending in 2 yrs. it's confusing as written. The same article points out 8.1 support till 2018 and extended support till 2023.