Windows-8-1-Pro-Product-Key

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CC6000 replied on 

I was finally able to install Windows 8.1 Pro and then Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.

I too had the “unable to create a ramdisk” error on an old Dell PC.
The Windows 8 Pro on the PC was upgraded from Windows 7 originally around 12/2012. Windows
Media Center Pack was later added.

This is how I did it:
1. Find your original Windows 8 Pro Product Key. (Make sure it is NOT the
Windows Media Center Pack upgrade Product Key.)
I was able to find my original e-mail from Microsoft with the key.

2. You will also need a generic Windows 8.1 Pro Product Key.
The one I found online is:

XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

I found references to the generic Product key here:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/47480-windows-8-1-generic-keys
http://superuser.com/questions/661261/windows-8-1-fresh-install-with-windows-8-licence

3. Download the official Winodws 8.1 ISO using your Windows 8 Product Key by
following direction here:
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57608376-285/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8.1-iso/

Following direction I was able to make a DVD with the ISO file.

4. Run the setup file on the ISO DVD or USB Flash Drive which you installed
the ISO on.

5. The program will ask you for a Product Key. This is where you will enter the generic Windows 8.1 Pro key I listed above.  If you try to enter your own Windows 8 Pro Product Key here the installation process will not accept it at this point.

6. Go through the very lengthy installation process.

7. After installation, your copy of Windows 8.1 Pro will not be activated.
You can now activate with your original Windows 8 Pro Product Key.
Go into Control Panel -> System, then click on the Windows Activation link.
I had problem with this step because the field to enter the key was
originally blanked out even though I was logged in as an Administrator. I
had to change the User Account Control Settings to a lower level. Not
sure if this was the issue but afterward the enter Product Key field was
functioning and I was able to enter my original Windows 8 Pro Product Key.
Just make sure you change back your User Account Settings.

8. After installation my system is now listed as Windows 8.1 Pro and fully activated.

The problem is now I was unable to find Windows Media Center.
I really don't use the Media Center but I wanted to see if I can install it.

I was able to use the WIndows 8 Media Center Product Key I had back in 12/2012 and clicked Add
Features to Windows 8.1 Pro.  Now my Windows Edition says Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. Make sure you use a Media Center Product Key that has been validated and used before.

Hope this works for others.

(C)