Can I upgrade Win 7 to 8.1 with ISO without key and then use a key to get Win 8.1 Pro?

rottencurry

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May 12, 2012
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Hello,

So I don't know if I'm missing something clear, but it seems as if I can upgrade my Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit to Windows 8.1 with an ISO (provided on Microsoft's site) and skip the activation key window when I get to it. And then I can purchase a 8.1 Pro Upgrade key to get Windows 8.1 Pro. The reason I want to do this is because my current installation is not valid and I want to get Windows 10 Pro, but the only way I can do that is if I have Windows 7 Ultimate genuine (which is very expensive to purchase now) or Professional (also expensive) or Windows 8.1 Pro (which is less expensive more or less but also has the benefit of being sold by Microsoft).

So am I missing something clear? Why does Microsoft even offer the option to purchase regular 8.1 when one could just download an ISO image and get 8.1 Pro without even buying the 'normal' key first. I get that not everyone wants 8.1 Pro and they need a regular key but the cost doesn't make sense. I can see a lot of people (and maybe they have to, which is what I'm asking) buying 8.1 and then the 8.1 Pro upgrade, wasting around $200, when they could have just purchased the upgrade for around $100. This makes it so even people who don't want 8.1 Pro to be able to get it for cheaper than 8.1 boxed! Thinking about this makes me wonder if you do need 2 product keys (1 for 8.1, 1 for 8.1 Pro) because if not this really doesn't make sense, but is good for me :wahoo:.

Thanks in advance!
 

rottencurry

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May 12, 2012
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Thing is I'm trying to find the cheapest route. The Windows 10 Pro license is $200 and I'd rather not pay that if possible.
 

kyllien

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Jan 22, 2013
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You have to buy something. You can buy a full Windows 8.1 Pro license the upgrade to Windows 10. But the cost should not be that different between Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 10 Pro. If you buy Windows 10 Pro license it allows you to skip having to perform the upgrade again later if you chose to reinstall or are recovering from a crash.
 

rottencurry

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May 12, 2012
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The Windows 8.1 Pro license is around $200, similar to the Windows 10 Pro license. I'm wondering if I can install Windows 8.1 with an ISO (on Microsoft's site), skip the activation, and then upgrade to 8.1 Pro with a purchased Product Key. How does the upgrade process go? Do I need to already have genuine 8.1 to be able to upgrade or can I just buy an 8.1 Pro Upgrade pack for around $95? Thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to save money/not waste it on something I don't have to.
 

rottencurry

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May 12, 2012
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Thanks a bunch. Okay. Just to be 100% sure:

1) I can clean install Windows 8.1 with an ISO and USB on my ungenuine Win
2) I skip the activation part/or I put a fake key in
3) I buy a Win 8.1 Pro upgrade pack from ...

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Pack/productID.288392300

... and I should be able to have genuine Windows 8.1 Pro eligible for Win 10 Pro? I'm only asking because if this is true one can get 8.1 Pro cheaper than 8.1 normal and a lot cheaper than 8.1 Pro (without the upgrade).