Windows 8 Upgrade + Factory Reset

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Coolcatks

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Sep 8, 2013
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Hey guys! (Lurker here) Having some technical difficulty with reinstalling Windows 8 upgrade after a factory reset.
I had a Sony Vaio laptop, with a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium on it originally. I applied the Windows 8 upgrade package (at the time, when windows 8 released, $40.). I had to reset my laptop due to several technical issues with custom driver software (Sony's older laptops have a light sensor for screen dimming, that only functions with their own graphics driver software, what a horror story).

So, the question is, how exactly do I go about installing Windows 8 over my freshly factory reset Windows 7? Do I need to contact microsoft to do it? (I need my laptop semi-worthy for first day of university tomorrow, but I'm free on Tuesday). Would I just attempt to use the Windows upgrade utility? The method used when originally upgrading was the utility, but it does not seem to recognize my serial key as Windows 8.

So, thanks for reading, and please help me if you can! I'll be calling microsoft on Tuesday, unless I get a working answer from here. If so, I'll be sure to leave instructions for future people.

Thanks for your consideration and help, once again!

 
Solution
WinOutreach2
If you purchased Windows online through the Microsoft Store, your product key information is stored in your Microsoft Account, along with the ability to download the software. You can find detailed information about both of those tasks here at the Microsoft Store.

The product key for online upgrades is also usually found on the invoice sent to your email.

The product key is required to install Windows 8, without one even with installation media you will be unable to complete setup.
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NathanRx

NathanRx

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Sep 6, 2013
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Its a length process so, if you need your laptop the next day its not recommended, should probably do it when you have a few hours spare, but how I'd do it would copy all personal files etc.

Format your original hard drive so its completely clean (tutorials available online if you are unsure how to do this, its v simple)

Then put windows 8 disc in, Boot from disc and initiate a clean install on your freshly formatted HDD, then if all is successful, stick your files back on :)
 
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Coolcatks

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Sep 8, 2013
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The only issue with this is, never had a Windows 8 disc. I can't seem to find an ISO available online for Win 8 Pro x64, though I haven't searched torrent sites (and would prefer not to).
 
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Coolcatks

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Sep 8, 2013
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Once again, as I said earlier, my Windows 7 key on the bottom of my laptop is not recognized as a product key. I'd appreciate it if I wasn't treated like a new computer user. My search skills are quiet adequate. I already found, and dismissed that. If you read the problem properly, you would find that isn't a solution. Related news: The purchase confirmation e-mail does not list a product ID either.

As well, the Windows Upgrade Assistant does not offer that function unless you proceed through the purchase dialog again.
 
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Coolcatks

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Sep 8, 2013
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For the time being, since help here seems to be very ineffective, I've decided to install 8.1 developer preview over it. I'll work it out myself, thanks for the "help".
 
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NathanRx

NathanRx

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Sep 6, 2013
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Well excuse me, I think you'll find I gave you a solution and if you were able to do as I said and select the "Download ISO" and when you've installed the ISO it will ask you for a product key, in which you can then deal with that problem if it comes, if your ability to follow instructions were as "Adequate" as your searching skills you wouldn't still be in this predicament
 
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WinOutreach2

WinOutreach2

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Mar 3, 2011
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If you purchased Windows online through the Microsoft Store, your product key information is stored in your Microsoft Account, along with the ability to download the software. You can find detailed information about both of those tasks here at the Microsoft Store.

The product key for online upgrades is also usually found on the invoice sent to your email.

The product key is required to install Windows 8, without one even with installation media you will be unable to complete setup.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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