Keith Nuttle wrote:
I bought a HP Stream 7 tablet with 32GB of storage.
It came with Windows 8.
I installed Windows 10 but in the several revision have lost the
Recovery partition to increase free space, so don't have access to the
OEM installation.
I have two questions.
1. If I revert to Windows 8, will I gain enough free space, that it
will continue to update through the period of MS support?
2 If I do revert to Windows 8 will the product Key that I used to
update to Windows 10, allow me to downgrade to Windows 8 using the same
Key? (The computer was purchased about 6 month before Window 10 came
out so the key is on the computer.
First, one can obtain Windows 8.1 media using the 8.1 Media Creation
Tool to create the 8.1 media on usb/dvd or an iso for mounting.
Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...nload/windows8
A1. 32 GB should be sufficient to install Windows 8.1 and receive
updates for the supported period though you'll still be limited on space
for additional software. If the drive has a media card(e.g. 32 or 64
GB, one should leave that connected during normal use to ensure data and
downloads don't occupy space. If a card reader slot is not available
data and downloads would best be saved to an external device). Windows
8.1 is the current supported o/s(not 8.0) for updates and remains
supported until 2023.
2. The 8x product key used to upgrade to Win10, if an 8.0 or 8.1 product
key then it is sufficient to clean install Windows 8.1.
- If the OEM product key is on firmware then a product key is not
necessary to clean install using 8.1 media, activation will occur using
the product key stored in firmware.
- If the product key is not on firmware then one of two possibilities
exist.
a. Prompt for product key during 8.1 clean install setup and installation
b. Use the 8.1 license stored on the MSFT server and not require a
product key during setup/installation
For additional info see the Windows FAQ's(applies to Windows 8.1 and 10)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/faq
A few applicable faqs are provided below
qp
"How do I find my Windows product key? Windows 8.1
- Devices Pre-Installed with Windows
Before using operating system copies from this site for install,
re-install or recovery on devices with pre-installed operating systems,
see your device manufacturer or reseller for the customized drivers and
applications specific to your machine. Using operating systems copied
from this site for install, re-install or recovery may void your support
agreement with your manufacturer or reseller. Any drivers or programs
that were installed by the device manufacturer or reseller may be
removed during installation.
Windows 8.1 & 10: The product key may be embedded on the motherboard or
may be on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker on the bottom of the
device."
"Windows came pre-installed on my device, can I use media from this site
to download and install?
- Before using operating system copies from this site for install,
re-install or recovery on devices with pre-installed operating systems,
see your device manufacturer or reseller for the customized drivers and
applications specific to your machine. Using operating systems copied
from this site for install, re-install or recovery may void your support
agreement with your manufacturer or reseller. Any drivers or programs
that were installed by the device manufacturer or reseller may be
removed during installation"
"Will media from this site install correctly on a device that came with
an operating system pre-installed?
- Windows 8.x and Windows 10 Pre-installed: You can download and use
media from this site on your device and it will install correctly. In
most cases you will not be asked for a product key during installation,
the product key is included on the motherboard. However, after
installation, the device will NOT contain the specialized drivers and
software that came pre-installed from your manufacturer. *If you are
prompted for a product key during installation, refer to How do I find
my Windows product key? question above."
/qp
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msft mvp 2007-2016, insider mvp 2016-2018