Will a Clean Install Attempt Recognize the Windows 8.1 UEFI Stored Key


  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Will a Clean Install Attempt Recognize the Windows 8.1 UEFI Stored Key


    Hello Guys,

    If I create a DVD with Windows 10 Home and try to perform a clean install on a computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 Home pre-installed. Will Windows 10 Home recognize and accept my genuine Windows 8/ 8.1 Home Key stored in UEFI or firmware etc?

    By Clean install I mean not updating but directly trying to install on a computer, on which Windows 10 have never been installed before.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31
    Windows 8.1 pro, Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    From what I have read in other posts on this forum, it's recommended you upgrade prior to clean installing to avoid any issues . That being said I would say check this site out prior to making your decision How to do a clean installation of Windows 10 | Windows Central
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #3

    The WindowsCentral link only walks you through how to do a clean install AFTER doing the upgrade.

    So basically, I believe the current consensus (in answer to your question) is NO -- a clean install of Win10 on a PC not previously upgraded is NOT going to accept your product key to activate Win10.

    Note: If anyone has actually done this -- activated Win10 by entering a Win7/8/8.1 key -- then please respond to this post, as I am very interested in doing the Win10 installations this way.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31
    Windows 8.1 pro, Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    If planning on performing a clean installation I would recommend a full backup of your windows installation you currently have , this is due to a clean install wiping all prior OS and files out as part of the process. Have heard many horror stories of people attempting this and losing everything and having to start from total scratch by not being prepared for the repercussions a clean install brings to the table.

    Also would like to add that the upgrade goes off of a hardware ID hash made as part of the upgrading process , as far as I know without buying a retail version of win 10 there is no viable product key method as windows 8/8.1 aren't compatible . Win 10 creates a hardware hash sends it to MS authentication servers which then send the machine a certificate that allows the upgrade to be activated. The only way I am aware of to acquire an actual win 10 product key is to buy the retail version which makes upgrading redundant.
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