Windows Refresh Question

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media

If so do you have to have a key for it?

"Ron" escreveu na mensagem ...

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

....

"After you've created the installation media, do one of the following to
install Windows 8.1:

•Connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows
8.1, browse to it in File Explorer, and then open the setup.exe file. Follow
the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up to boot from a USB drive, connect the USB flash drive
to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1, restart (reboot) it, and
then follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up boot from the DVD drive, insert the DVD into your PC,
restart (reboot) it, and then follow the instructions in setup."


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media


If so do you have to have a key for it?

....

"If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter a
Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key. You'll also need a product key if
you're running Windows 8 and trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro. To learn how
to buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key, go to the Get Windows page."

On 7/13/2015 8:36 PM, Jack Smith wrote:

"Ron" escreveu na mensagem ...

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

...

"After you've created the installation media, do one of the following to
install Windows 8.1:

•Connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows
8.1, browse to it in File Explorer, and then open the setup.exe file.
Follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up to boot from a USB drive, connect the USB flash
drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1, restart (reboot)
it, and then follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up boot from the DVD drive, insert the DVD into your
PC, restart (reboot) it, and then follow the instructions in setup."


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media


If so do you have to have a key for it?

...

"If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter a
Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key. You'll also need a product key if
you're running Windows 8 and trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro. To learn
how to buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key, go to the Get Windows page."

I've read all of that, but I've also read in some forums that it will
ask for a Windows 8.1 key during the refresh process. I've also read
that it doesn't ask for a key.

That is why I'm confused.

On 7/13/2015 8:43 PM, Ron wrote:
On 7/13/2015 8:36 PM, Jack Smith wrote:

"Ron" escreveu na mensagem ...

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

...

"After you've created the installation media, do one of the following to
install Windows 8.1:

•Connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows
8.1, browse to it in File Explorer, and then open the setup.exe file.
Follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up to boot from a USB drive, connect the USB flash
drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1, restart (reboot)
it, and then follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up boot from the DVD drive, insert the DVD into your
PC, restart (reboot) it, and then follow the instructions in setup."


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media


If so do you have to have a key for it?

...

"If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter a
Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key. You'll also need a product key if
you're running Windows 8 and trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro. To learn
how to buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key, go to the Get Windows page."

I've read all of that, but I've also read in some forums that it will
ask for a Windows 8.1 key during the refresh process. I've also read
that it doesn't ask for a key.

That is why I'm confused.


BTW, I'm not talking about Pro.

Ron wrote:
On 7/13/2015 8:36 PM, Jack Smith wrote:

"Ron" escreveu na mensagem ...

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

...

"After you've created the installation media, do one of the following to
install Windows 8.1:

•Connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows
8.1, browse to it in File Explorer, and then open the setup.exe file.
Follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up to boot from a USB drive, connect the USB flash
drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1, restart (reboot)
it, and then follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up boot from the DVD drive, insert the DVD into your
PC, restart (reboot) it, and then follow the instructions in setup."


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media


If so do you have to have a key for it?

...

"If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter a
Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key. You'll also need a product key if
you're running Windows 8 and trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro. To learn
how to buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key, go to the Get Windows page."

I've read all of that, but I've also read in some forums that it will
ask for a Windows 8.1 key during the refresh process. I've also read
that it doesn't ask for a key.

That is why I'm confused.


Let's pretend for a moment, that the same installer DVD
does both clean installations, and upgrade/repair installations.
It doesn't have a particular reason for the interface to change.
The behavior should be consistent.

OEM products (Dell) released with Win8 on the hard drive, there
is a license key baked into the BIOS chip, and no COA sticker
on the outside of the machine.

The idea is, no matter what Win8/8.1 installer you're using,
whether it's a clean install or an upgrade/repair install,
all of those DVDs can "see" the BIOS key. No need for
MagicJellyBean type tools.

If you run any Win8 installer, and it cannot "sniff" a key
from the BIOS, then you should be seeing the key prompt.
You cannot bypass the prompt in Windows 8, whereas previous
OS installers allowed you to click "Next" with the key empty.

There are some keys which can be used on a non-Dell machine
(a home-built computer), that can delay the need for the
actual purchased key. This returns the effective behavior
of Windows 8 Home/Pro, to the previous tradition of
clicking Next. These are "install-only" keys. Many keys
are available for Enterprise, whereas home users are lucky to
have these few to work with. The OS cannot be activated
with these.

(Home user, temporary install-only key strings)

Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Windows 8.1 Co 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

Windows 8.0 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
Windows 8.0 Co FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3

Later, when whatever install you've done is
completed to your satisfaction, there is a GUI
as well as a command line (SLUI?) way to offer
the genuine key, then activate. I used that technique,
just as a test of this method, on my second computer.
I think I used the very first key in the list for the
install. (One of those $39.95 installs.)

*******

If you are a system builder, and build computers for people,
that's different. You slap a COA sticker on the outside of the
new Win8 computer, and nothing is baked into the BIOS. If the
installer DVD asks for a key, you have that COA sticker to use.
If you lose the COA sticker, you can use a MagicJellyBean solution
to find the key again. If you lose both the sticker (scratched
up), and the hard drive dies, you're in a lot of trouble. I use
slim jewel box cases for my installer media, and I write the
key up near the "handle" area of the casing, where it is protected.
Just in case you need yet another place you could store the key.
I no longer mark up the media itself, nor attach stickers. Once
the media is done in the drive, it goes right back in the
matching jewel box.

*******

If you have a "tricky situation", where you have an 8.0 key,
and 8.1 media, and there is some discussion about the
media not accepting the key, that's when the install-only
key can be used to ease you past the critical point in
the process. Then, later, SLUI or a GUI like this,
should finish the job.

http://www.techapna.com/wp-content/u...s-8-Option.png

Paul

Ron wrote:
If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media

If so do you have to have a key for it?

The media is intened for reinstall or installing 8.1 and accepts a 8.0
or 8.1 product key. It is not for refresh purposes nor is it intended
as the insertable media when requested to be inserted during the refresh
process.
- i.e. use the 8.0/8.1 media provided or created with the pc (OEM
Recovery disk, 8.0 upgrade media, 8.1 full version media, user created
8.0/8.1 recovery disk)

If the laptop was upgraded from 8.0 to 8.1 the recovery partition on the
drive as shipped and after upgrading to 8.1 was an 8.0 recovery partition.

If the laptop has the key on firmware...the media can be use to install
or reinstall without the need for the key. It as noted above is not
media for refresh.




--
...winston
msft mvp windows experience

On 7/13/2015 9:08 PM, Paul wrote:
Ron wrote:
On 7/13/2015 8:36 PM, Jack Smith wrote:

"Ron" escreveu na mensagem ...

If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

...

"After you've created the installation media, do one of the following to
install Windows 8.1:

•Connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows
8.1, browse to it in File Explorer, and then open the setup.exe file.
Follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up to boot from a USB drive, connect the USB flash
drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1, restart (reboot)
it, and then follow the instructions in setup.


•If your PC is set up boot from the DVD drive, insert the DVD into your
PC, restart (reboot) it, and then follow the instructions in setup."


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media


If so do you have to have a key for it?

...

"If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter a
Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key. You'll also need a product key if
you're running Windows 8 and trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro. To learn
how to buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key, go to the Get Windows
page."

I've read all of that, but I've also read in some forums that it will
ask for a Windows 8.1 key during the refresh process. I've also read
that it doesn't ask for a key.

That is why I'm confused.


Let's pretend for a moment, that the same installer DVD
does both clean installations, and upgrade/repair installations.
It doesn't have a particular reason for the interface to change.
The behavior should be consistent.

OEM products (Dell) released with Win8 on the hard drive, there
is a license key baked into the BIOS chip, and no COA sticker
on the outside of the machine.

The idea is, no matter what Win8/8.1 installer you're using,
whether it's a clean install or an upgrade/repair install,
all of those DVDs can "see" the BIOS key. No need for
MagicJellyBean type tools.

If you run any Win8 installer, and it cannot "sniff" a key
from the BIOS, then you should be seeing the key prompt.
You cannot bypass the prompt in Windows 8, whereas previous
OS installers allowed you to click "Next" with the key empty.

There are some keys which can be used on a non-Dell machine
(a home-built computer), that can delay the need for the
actual purchased key. This returns the effective behavior
of Windows 8 Home/Pro, to the previous tradition of
clicking Next. These are "install-only" keys. Many keys
are available for Enterprise, whereas home users are lucky to
have these few to work with. The OS cannot be activated
with these.

(Home user, temporary install-only key strings)

Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Windows 8.1 Co 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

Windows 8.0 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
Windows 8.0 Co FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3

Later, when whatever install you've done is
completed to your satisfaction, there is a GUI
as well as a command line (SLUI?) way to offer
the genuine key, then activate. I used that technique,
just as a test of this method, on my second computer.
I think I used the very first key in the list for the
install. (One of those $39.95 installs.)

*******

If you are a system builder, and build computers for people,
that's different. You slap a COA sticker on the outside of the
new Win8 computer, and nothing is baked into the BIOS. If the
installer DVD asks for a key, you have that COA sticker to use.
If you lose the COA sticker, you can use a MagicJellyBean solution
to find the key again. If you lose both the sticker (scratched
up), and the hard drive dies, you're in a lot of trouble. I use
slim jewel box cases for my installer media, and I write the
key up near the "handle" area of the casing, where it is protected.
Just in case you need yet another place you could store the key.
I no longer mark up the media itself, nor attach stickers. Once
the media is done in the drive, it goes right back in the
matching jewel box.

*******

If you have a "tricky situation", where you have an 8.0 key,
and 8.1 media, and there is some discussion about the
media not accepting the key, that's when the install-only
key can be used to ease you past the critical point in
the process. Then, later, SLUI or a GUI like this,
should finish the job.

http://www.techapna.com/wp-content/u...s-8-Option.png



Thanks for all of the info, Paul!

On 7/14/2015 12:17 AM, . . .winston wrote:
Ron wrote:
If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media

If so do you have to have a key for it?

The media is intened for reinstall or installing 8.1 and accepts a 8.0
or 8.1 product key. It is not for refresh purposes nor is it intended
as the insertable media when requested to be inserted during the refresh
process.
- i.e. use the 8.0/8.1 media provided or created with the pc (OEM
Recovery disk, 8.0 upgrade media, 8.1 full version media, user created
8.0/8.1 recovery disk)

If the laptop was upgraded from 8.0 to 8.1 the recovery partition on the
drive as shipped and after upgrading to 8.1 was an 8.0 recovery partition.

If the laptop has the key on firmware...the media can be use to install
or reinstall without the need for the key. It as noted above is not
media for refresh.


So to use this for an install on say, a Windows 7 computer, you would
have to purchase a key?

Also, kinda strange that in the link it says "create-reset-refresh-media".

Ron wrote:
On 7/14/2015 12:17 AM, . . .winston wrote:
Ron wrote:
If a laptop came with W8 and was upgraded to W8.1 can it be refreshed
using this media?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media

If so do you have to have a key for it?

The media is intened for reinstall or installing 8.1 and accepts a 8.0
or 8.1 product key. It is not for refresh purposes nor is it intended
as the insertable media when requested to be inserted during the refresh
process.
- i.e. use the 8.0/8.1 media provided or created with the pc (OEM
Recovery disk, 8.0 upgrade media, 8.1 full version media, user created
8.0/8.1 recovery disk)

If the laptop was upgraded from 8.0 to 8.1 the recovery partition on the
drive as shipped and after upgrading to 8.1 was an 8.0 recovery
partition.

If the laptop has the key on firmware...the media can be use to install
or reinstall without the need for the key. It as noted above is not
media for refresh.


So to use this for an install on say, a Windows 7 computer, you would
have to purchase a key?

Also, kinda strange that in the link it says "create-reset-refresh-media".


It doesn't upgrade Windows 7. It can be used on a Windows 7 system to
install Windows 8.1 but an 8.1 key will be necessary.

The first line on that url says
'If you need to install or reinstall Windows 8.1, you can use the tool
on this page to create your own installation media using either a USB
flash drive or a DVD.'

That page also states.
'If you’re not running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to enter
a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key.'
- i.e. that applies to attempting to use it on a Win7 system or clean
booting on a device that has Win7.

Refresh is the same as reinstalling Windows...i.e. consistent with the
first line ('If you need to install or reinstall') and applicable only
to 8.1




--
...winston
msft mvp windows experience