How do i reinstall my OEM copy of windows 8 on a new hard drive?

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absorb333

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Mar 20, 2013
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I purchased a laptop from a best buy. I think its what people refer to as an OEM copy of windows since it came preinstalled with the laptop.

Im planning to upgrade the HDD to a new SSD i bought separately.

How would i go about transferring the windows key/OS to the upgraded laptop?
 
Solution
Warukyure
Depending on who makes your computer, go to the start screen (with the tiles) type something like Recovery, and your results should pull up something like your manufacturer's program for Recovery, there should be an option to go create recovery disks. Try that.

(In the case that fails because some OEMs are dicks and you can't reinstall if the drive you're using isn't the same type as it came with, example: Toshiba Laptop has a 500 GB HDD inside, upgrade to a 120 GB SSD, won't install because the drive isnt 500 GB)

Another solution is just find an ISO of Windows 8 and use that. Since Windows 8 laptops have the product key stamped inside the BIOS, just find a clean ISO and install it. Once you finish go into the change PC settings and...
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Warukyure

Warukyure

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Oct 20, 2014
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Depending on who makes your computer, go to the start screen (with the tiles) type something like Recovery, and your results should pull up something like your manufacturer's program for Recovery, there should be an option to go create recovery disks. Try that.

(In the case that fails because some OEMs are dicks and you can't reinstall if the drive you're using isn't the same type as it came with, example: Toshiba Laptop has a 500 GB HDD inside, upgrade to a 120 GB SSD, won't install because the drive isnt 500 GB)

Another solution is just find an ISO of Windows 8 and use that. Since Windows 8 laptops have the product key stamped inside the BIOS, just find a clean ISO and install it. Once you finish go into the change PC settings and hit activate this PC and it'll go OK this key is good to go.

Warning If you have Windows 8 you have to get an windows 8 ISO, if you are on 8.1 you have to use an 8.1 ISO. You can't be on 8 and try to install an 8.1 ISO to save time, and you can't be on 8.1 and use an 8 ISO and just upgrade to 8.1 later.
 
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