Windows 10 install media not reading my Windows 8 OEM embeded key.

I've been doing some clean installs checking something posted in another thread. While doing those I noticed that the current Windows 10 install media created by the Media Creation Tool, is not automatically using the Windows 8.0 Core OEM embedded key in my laptops BOS. And before anybody asks, no its not a Single Language key. In the past Windows 10 install media would happily install 10 Home with no prompt for a key etc. I had to add a PID.txt file to override it and install Pro. Personally, I'm happy that its not using it. That being said, I noticed this behaviour a while back and mentioned it here. Others though had a different outcome. Their Windows 8 embedded keys were still being read and used. I put it down to a glitch at the time. Now though, it appears it was not a glitch? It consistently ignores my embedded key. I did three clean installs one after the other and was prompted to enter a key each time. Now I'm wondering if its because its an 8.0 key versus an 8.1 key? This is 32bit/64bit Windows 10 (multi) install media created with the latest MCT with the create thumb drive option.
So has anybody else had their OEM Embedded key ignored?

Hi Alphanumeric

On my IP test rig Asus x55a core W8 > 8.1.> 10IP only no RTM ever installed
Clean installed IP at least 3x

Never had to input a key,
Superfly's tool shows it .

Roy

No PID.txt used, was doing installs with stock install media, no modifications what so ever.
In the past, 10 Home would be installed by default with no prompt for a key and no menu to select Edition. It would read the 8.0 Core key and install the matching 10 Home.
Since I use Pro, to save time, and save having to upgrade to Pro. I would add a PID.txt file with the generic Pro key. That would install Pro with no prompt for a key. I didn't want that this time.
This time around, I get asked for a key. When I click "I don't have one" I get the Edition selection menu with Home SL, Home, Pro and Education. This PC has DL's for Home, Pro and Education, which is why I do a skip key.

cereberus said:

Are you trying to install Home? If it was Pro with PID.txt added, it would ignore the bios key.

Also, how can you tell as pc would have a digital licence, unless installing on a pc that never had Home previously installed.

You need to explain previous installation history, and how/what you are doing now in more detail.

The DL doesn't factor into it until your all done and it tries to activate. This PC has DL's for Home, Pro, Education and Enterprise.
In the past, 10 Home was installed based on the 8.0 Core OEM embedded key. If I used stock media. I would then have to do a change key to upgrade to Pro or Education.
On that PC I add a PID.txt to install Pro or Education and override the auto Home install.
Now, I get the same menus I get on my other PC that doesn't have an embedded key. I get prompted for a key and if I click "I don't have one" I get the selection menu. I can install Home, Pro or Education. They all activate with their respective DL.

NavyLCDR said:

In the past, if there was no PID.txt file specified, when you ran Windows setup it would read the product key in BIOS/UEFI and not ask you for a product or which version to install. The installation would just kick off with whatever version it found a product key in BIOS for.

If Windows setup does not find a PID.txt file or a product key in BIOS/UEFI, then it will ask you for a product key. If you click skip, then it will ask you which version you want to install. That's how you know if Windows setup is reading the product key from BIOS/UEFI or not - whether it asks you for a product key, or not.

I get that - so is OP saying that he gets selection list even without PID.txt?

If so, that is a little odd but perhaps MS have finally sorted the annoyance of needing PID.txt to install Pro on pc with bios embedded home. It possibly checks for key later now?