The quoted text above assumes you installed Windows 8.1 using a MSDN Windows 8.1 key, but the process still works, even if you installed Windows 8.1 with the generic key. All you do is remove the key using slmgr -cpky, restart the machine, and attempt to activate the installation and when prompted provide your actual Windows 8 license key.
But it is much easier to download Windows 8.1. We just need to visit this page from a Windows PC, scroll down and click on the "Download Tool Now" button. This will download the Media Creation Tool application, which is about 1,5MB. We run it and select the language, the edition, and the architecture.
Don't worry, though, as I'll be glad to help you out as you could attempt activating your windows using the following methods: Activate by phone (IVR) using Microsoft: * Step 1 – Click on Windows Orb and enter ‘slui.exe 4’ into the search box. * Step 2 – From the search list, click on ‘slui.exe 4’.
Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Core will install Windows 10 Home ; Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro will install Windows 10 Pro; If they are the correct edition, try using chat support: Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support 1 License = 1 PC. Another common cause of Windows validation failure happens when you try to install Windows on more PCs than your license allows. For instance, if you purchased a copy of Windows and installed it on more than one PC, online validation might fail because the product key has already been used on another PC.
I bought a retail Windows 8 Pro key direct from MS when it first came out. I upgraded to Windows 10 when that came out. The key isn't linked to my Microsoft account.
An unactivated copy of Windows limits your ability to customize the appearance of the desktop, menus, and taskbar. If you want to upgrade to a licensed version later, you can purchase a Windows 10 license from the Windows Store, ranging from $120 for the Home Edition to $200 for the Professional Edition. nOgLFa.
