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Anyone can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99.

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I have a student with a laptop that was bought about 6 weeks ago try to use this offer, i typed all the information in for him, but it still would not accept the Key :(

Edit- I got it to work. The laptop was bought in the US, so i had to set my location to the US
 
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Success. First try, burned ISO to a DVD for a fresh install later.

So it leaves the ESD folder on your hard drive. Can you just delete it with non issues? I have a SSD and space is limited. I burnt the ISO and saved it for later
 
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Success. First try, burned ISO to a DVD for a fresh install later.

So it leaves the ESD folder on your hard drive. Can you just delete it with non issues? I have a SSD and space is limited. I burnt the ISO and saved it for later

you can fresh install, but trust me - upgrade over the top of that fresh install.
 
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you can fresh install, but trust me - upgrade over the top of that fresh install.

That doesn't make sense. Please explain. I was going to fresh install
 
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That doesn't make sense. Please explain. I was going to fresh install

apparently, with a fresh install windows 8 becomes deactivated after a week or two. Crappy system if you ever need to re-install an upgrade edition.
 

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apparently, with a fresh install windows 8 becomes deactivated after a week or two. Crappy system if you ever need to re-install an upgrade edition.

The fix I found in the OP worked great for me on a clean install. I would try it out before doing two installs.
 
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I have upgraded my laptop which I bought in 2010 for $15.

I know sometimes when you upgrade it will ask you a valid windows product key code before you enter it. There were some other problems that happened with other people. For me it was absolutely no verification of whether i had windows 7 or not. I actually did all the stuff on my other windows 8 desktop and still ended up installing it on my laptop later on.
 

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That doesn't make sense. Please explain. I was going to fresh install

A windows upgrade needs something to upgrade from- If you install and don't activate (don't even bother to hook up to the net, install drivers, etc..) and then install again as soon as you get it to boot to the desktop (or whatever it is now) then the Windows 8 upgrade will upgrade the previous install, which is Windows 8.

Needed to do this every time I used my Win7 HP upgrade disk to do a fresh install... worked every time ;) Bit of a pita but it works.
 
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So a ful install wont work. You have to install and then reinstall. Or use the fix in the first post?
 

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So a ful install wont work. You have to install and then reinstall. Or use the fix in the first post?

Not true. You can do a full clean install and activate. You do not have to install twice.
 

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So a ful install wont work. You have to install and then reinstall. Or use the fix in the first post?

The fix probably works fine but I've not tried anything else since it only takes maybe 15 minutes to drop a rough install onto the hard drive before doing the second one.

Just enough time to wash the dishes in the sink and make a nice snack to have while loading everything up, activating, installing, updating, etc, etc,. :cool:
 
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thank for the help. I haven't installed it yet but feel i'm prepared now when i do :d so i have a htpc and a gaming pc which one should i install it on?

htpc
 
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A windows upgrade needs something to upgrade from- If you install and don't activate (don't even bother to hook up to the net, install drivers, etc..) and then install again as soon as you get it to boot to the desktop (or whatever it is now) then the Windows 8 upgrade will upgrade the previous install, which is Windows 8.

Needed to do this every time I used my Win7 HP upgrade disk to do a fresh install... worked every time ;) Bit of a pita but it works.

Here......

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2770951&postcount=462

IF it doesn't activate just use the automated service in the system properties. Much quicker and less wear on your SSD.

I have been unable to activate at all. The fix in the OP does not work for me. I will try these.
 

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So to install this Win8 it's just like the usuall upgrade disk path. Clean install then turn right around and clean install over it. You just have to install twice to make it read the key/activate correctly?

Had to do this with Vista upgrade before. A pain but worth it for the $.
 

voyager1

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32 to 64 bit upgrade

So, How can I DL a 64 bit version of 8 on a 32 bit Windows 7 ?
 

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anyone can share spare promo code kindly pm me t.y.

seems other countries can't get rid of the valid key confirmation so anyone can try it and share it. t.y.
 
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apparently, with a fresh install windows 8 becomes deactivated after a week or two. Crappy system if you ever need to re-install an upgrade edition.

I don't know what I did but the install in my main rig is still activated :confused: I haven't used the reg fix or anything. Straight fresh install since Oct 27th. :D

Maybe it reads a hardware hash or something? I installed W8 in the same machine I ran the Upgrade Advisor, I've seen others try it in their laptops or secondary systems first. Maybe that's something to take into account?:ohwell:

The install on my HTPC became inactivated after a few days. Didn't really notice any change until I tried to run Windows Update today.
 
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Hey guys, just double confirming. So if i were to buy the upgrade to windows 8, i am provided with a key right? This upgrade thingy is only checking if you have compatible hardware and either XP/Vista/Win7 to enjoy the discount. So what we're buying now is A.K.A full Windows 8 PRO w/ its own key and not some Windows 8 PRO upgrade only (Meaning i need to install my XP/Vista/Win7 first before upgrading to Win8)

Can't seem to find any FAQ for that. Kick my nuts if you found em :p

You're getting an upgrade version (same thing you can get in stores for $69.99) but some people (me :p) have had luck in getting a fresh install. for others the install doesn't activate unless you use the registry edit detailed in the first post.
 
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You're getting an upgrade version (same thing you can get in stores for $69.99) but some people (me :p) have had luck in getting a fresh install. for others the install doesn't activate unless you use the registry edit detailed in the first post.

For some, like me, the registry edit still does not work.
 
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For some, like me, the registry edit still does not work.

I think I've come across the answer: if there is a previous W7 install in the HDD, a fresh W8 install will activate with no problems (delete the W7 partitions in the W8 installer).


I noticed when installing W8 in my AGP rig and wouldn't activate even though my HTPC and main rig activated with no problems. I noticed that the only difference was that I used a previously formatted HDD and the other two had W7 installs in them. So I installed W7 Starter in the AGP rig's HDD and then made a fresh W8 install and it activated fine.



Also, only OEM keys work as validation for the $15 upgrade offer. Retail keys don't work and it seems that Starter can't get into the offer too.
 
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I think I've come across the answer: if there is a previous W7 install in the HDD, a fresh W8 install will activate with no problems (delete the W7 partitions in the W8 installer).


I noticed when installing W8 in my AGP rig and wouldn't activate even though my HTPC and main rig activated with no problems. I noticed that the only difference was that I used a previously formatted HDD and the other two had W7 installs in them. So I installed W7 Starter in the AGP rig's HDD and then made a fresh W8 install and it activated fine.



Also, only OEM keys work as validation for the $15 upgrade offer. Retail keys don't work and it seems that Starter can't get into the offer too.

I installed it on my laptop which had windows 7 pre installed. I could not just install windows 8. I had to use gparted to delete all partitions and then use the windows 8 installer to reformat it. Then I could install windows 8. Whenever I get around to it I plan on reinstalling windows 7 and then upgrading. I tried once but it would not accept my windows 7 key that is on the bottom of my laptop.
 
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them I'm out of ideas. I really thought I had hit the nail in the head :(
 

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Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
I installed it on my laptop which had windows 7 pre installed. I could not just install windows 8. I had to use gparted to delete all partitions and then use the windows 8 installer to reformat it. Then I could install windows 8. Whenever I get around to it I plan on reinstalling windows 7 and then upgrading. I tried once but it would not accept my windows 7 key that is on the bottom of my laptop.

you need to activate via the phone method, to use OEM keys with a retail installer.
 
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