Hi everyone, I recently bought a laptop (Acer Aspire E1-572) that came with Windows 8.1. Since I really dislike bloatwares I want to do a clean install of 8.1. I tried to install the ISO images from Microsoft and when I enter the product key from my laptop (retrieved with Belarc), I get a message saying "This product key cannot be used to isntall a retail version of Windows 8.1".
Is there any way where I can do a fresh install of Windows 8.1? I tried some Google searches but what I found was mostly upgrading 8 to 8.1 with an 8.1 ISO. I also tried it with a generic key and also inputted my OEM key into the Windows 8 setup program from Microsoft.
But because you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8.1 product key, the Windows 8.1 installer will detect the product key from UEFI firmware (BIOS) and activate Windows 8.1 automatically.
So I have to download the Windows 8.1 installer from Microsoft's "Upgrade Windows with only a product key" page and then run it?
As Genet mentioned, if you can get hold of a Retail 8.1 ISO, it will automatically read you embedded OEM key from your BIOS and install the matching version. It's unfortunate but the other download you mentioned won't except OEM keys. The generic install keys are blocked for that download too. The ISO he listed is the official ISO what's available on TechNet and MSDN. You can't download from TechNet or MSDN without a subscription but you may be able to find it though other means. The SHA1 code will let you confirm that your ISO hasn't been altered.
I've got a copy of Win 8.1 Pro (retail version) on a USB thumb drive, that I created from the download. I'm wondering if I can use it to initiate a clean Win 8.1 install on an OEM machine, that had v 8.0 on it, that was upgraded to v8.1 with the free upgrade from the MS Update site, without having to use my retail product key? It sounds like (according to genet), that the BIOS will detect the Product key from the original WIn 8 install and use that key. That is what I want to happen, because I don't want to waste my fresh win 8.1 Pro key that I just bought to use on another system. The only difference in my case is that my OEM machine had v8.0 on it, instead of v8.1 from the factory. But maybe when I updated it to Win 8.1 with Windows Update, it may get a new key stored in the BIOS. Or maybe when I go to install v8.1 Pro, it won't let me, because it's the wrong version, even though it matches the latest installed version, thanks to the free update. I'm wondering if my Win 8.1 Pro version will install as the non pro version when the OEM BIOS recognizes that it has a key already. On the other hand, how would the OS or BIOS know, what I wanted to do. Maybe I really want to install Win 8.1 Pro as a fresh install, to avoid having to do a bunch of updates or because I actually want to upgrade to Pro? Maybe if I pay Microsoft the additional money to upgrade to Pro before upgrading my hard drive, then the BIOS may get the message that I am licensed for the Pro version and allow me to install it and keep the OEM key, and allow me to save my retail key. Any ideas, guys?
My TechNet 8.1 ISO's won't use the 8.0 OEM BIOS in my laptop I get prompted to enter a key. You'll likely end up in the same Situation. You'll have to do this, Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key. My TechNet ISO's are multi edition and can install Core or Pro depending on what product code you enter during setup. If you downloaded 8.1 Pro from here, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create it may not except a Core key. What you get in the download depends on what key you enter. Enter a Core key and you get Core, enter a Pro key and you get Pro. Could you let me know what works and what doesn't for future reference please.
Originally Posted by genet 
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