📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses how to perform a fresh install of Windows 8.1 on a computer that originally came with Windows XP, with the user having upgraded through Windows 7 and 8 Pro, and then to 8.1 Pro via the Windows Store. The original poster is unsure about which product key to use for reinstallation, having identified two keys using Belarc Advisor. An expert clarifies that the key from Belarc is a Windows 8 Pro key, not 8.1 Pro, and recommends re-installing Windows 8 Pro first, then upgrading to 8.1 Pro via the Windows Store, as the user has lost their installation discs. The overall sentiment is helpful and instructional, focusing on reactivation steps based on product key distinctions.
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ripper2124

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Jun 9, 2014
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Thread Author #1
Hi,

I bought my computer along time ago and it came with windows xp. It had an offer that let me upgrade to windows 7 for free. A year later, I bought windows 8 pro upgrade and installed that. After that, I was upgraded to windows 8.1 pro. Flash forward a bit, I've lost my windows 8 upgrade cd, and since my computer came pre-installed with windows xp/7, I have no discs for those either. My question is, how do I go about reformatting my computer to do a fresh install of windows 8.1? I've used Belarc Advisor to get my Microsoft - Windows 8.1 Professional (x64) key. It gave me two keys xxxxx-xxxxx and then one inside (xxxxx-xxxxx). Can I use these keys to just download the iso of windows 8.1 pro to activate my version of windows? And if so, which key do I use, the one inside or outside of the parenthesis? Thanks for any help.
 

davidhk129

davidhk129

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#2
RE : which key do I use, the one inside or outside of the parenthesis?
None of the above.
You product key is a 25 digits set. The set comprises of 5, 5 digit format.
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

You installed Win 8 Pro first, then upgraded to Win 8.1 Pro. Yes?
You did that 8.1 upgrade via Windows Store. Yes?
If yes to both of the above, you do NOT have a Win 8.1 Pro product key.
You have, instead, a Win 8 Pro product key.
Belarc Advisor should have that product key listed under Software Licenses heading.
An image from 'Windows 8.1 Pro Fresh Install? (Reformat)'. List of software licenses including Microsoft products and Belarc Advisor.



RE : how do I go about reformatting my computer to do a fresh install of windows 8.1?

You will have to re-install Win 8 Pro then upgrade back to Win 8.1 Pro via Windows Store.
Since you have lost the Win 8 Pro disk, here is a link from Microsoft showing you how.
Have you Win 8 Pro product key ready.
Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ - Microsoft Support
 

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