Windows 8/8.1 fresh install with W8 key?

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theorange

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Hey guys, I'm trying to do a fresh install of windows 8.1, (or 8, I don't mind upgrading to 8.1 after installation.) According to this Microsoft article, in order to do a fresh install of Windows 8 or 8.1, you must have an 8.1 key code.

Now, I'm not sure if theres a different way to do this now, but the only way to install Windows 8 was to install W7 first, then upgrade the OS to W8. I don't really mind doing that, but it's a lot more hassle than just fresh installing W8.1. Is there a way to fresh install Windows 8 with a W8 key?
 
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USAFRet
This depends on what Windows 8 license you have. If it is an Upgrade license, it must be done from a running Win7 system.

However, given a running Windows 7 system, you can actually create the Windows 8 install disk.
<incorrect link removed>
EDIT: Use this link instead - http://lifehacker.com/how-to-create-a-windows-8-installation-dvd-or-usb-drive-505769939

NOTE: the running Win7 system needs to be the same bitspace as the Win8 you want. 32bit or 64bit.

If what you have is a regular Win8 install, just go for it and install.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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This depends on what Windows 8 license you have. If it is an Upgrade license, it must be done from a running Win7 system.

However, given a running Windows 7 system, you can actually create the Windows 8 install disk.
<incorrect link removed>
EDIT: Use this link instead - http://lifehacker.com/how-to-create-a-windows-8-installation-dvd-or-usb-drive-505769939

NOTE: the running Win7 system needs to be the same bitspace as the Win8 you want. 32bit or 64bit.

If what you have is a regular Win8 install, just go for it and install.
 
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theorange

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I have a new system I'm about to install Windows 8/8.1 on, I'm just looking for a way to do it without an 8.1 key or having W7 installed beforehand. All I have is a Windows 8 key.
 
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theorange

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Sorry, I have an upgrade key good for use on two systems, back when upgrading was the only option. I can still use the code once. So in order to install it, I need to install Windows 7 first, then install W8. Given that a keyless W7 can be downloaded from Microsoft's digital rivers store, it doesn't actually cost any more money than just installing windows 8, it's just more hassle.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Right.
 
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theorange

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Yeah, so is there a way to do it without installing Windows 7 beforehand?

Oh, I'm an idiot, I forgot about the method you described up above. Is that the only way to do a fresh install of windows 8?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Given an Upgrade, that's almost certainly the only way to generate valid install media. You can use ANY Win7 system. Doesn't have to be the target PC, as long as you get the 32bit/64bit right.
If you do it from a 32bit Win7 system, yo will end up with a 32bit Win8 install.
 
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theorange

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Does that violate the license agreement though? I'm not sure why I even care, given that I'm not saving any money, just time. More than likely that's what I'll end up doing anyways.

I could always just get a free 8.1 key from my uni, but man, I bet you can already tell how lazy I am.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Does not violate it at all. That is direct from Microsoft. Just choose "Install later"
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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That will, theoretically, create a disk you can use to install on a bare drive. During creation, it sees that you actually have a running Windows system. And as such, you are OK.
 
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theorange

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It says this in the article:

Also note that you won't be able to use this disc to do a clean install on an empty hard drive if it's an upgrade version of Windows 8, but you should be able to do a clean install over an existing copy of Windows.
Click to expand...

I guess I'll try it anyways though, thanks for the help!
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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hmmmmmm
 
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theorange

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Hey, sorry for not being able to get back to you for a while, I didn't the chance to try the install until today.

I tried making an install usb from the upgrade assistant, it just didn't let me fresh install with an upgrade license. I ended up just getting an 8.1 key though, so I guess that's that.
 
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