One of the worst mistakes Microsoft made with the Windows 8.1 update was having Windows 8.1 media reject Windows 8.0 product keys and vice versa. This means if your system came with Windows 8.0 and you are using a Windows 8.1 .iso or a Windows 8.1 Dell Reinstallation DVD/USB your Windows 8.0/8.1 BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key or Windows 8.0 Retail Product Key will be rejected and vice versa. I suggest all users to leave negative feedback in as many places as possible.
Installation is still possible with the use of generic product keys.
Identifying whether you have a Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.0 Professional license
If you have purchased a retail license you will be explicitly told on the installation media whether your license is:
- Windows 8 → Use the generic Windows 8.1 Core/Home product key
- Windows 8.1 → Use your Windows 8.1 Core/Home product key
- Windows 8 Professional → Use the generic Windows 8.1 Professional product key
- Windows 8.1 Professional → Use your Windows 8.1 Professional product key
For the OEM BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallaiton Keys, the easiest way to identify what version of Windows 8.0/8.1 you have is via the stickers affixed to the system often at the base.
These should look like the following for Windows 8 Core/Home and Windows 8 Professional respectively:
- Windows 8 → Your BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key will be rejected → Use the generic Windows 8.1 Core/Home product key
- Windows 8.1 → Your BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key will be accepted no prompt for product key during installation.
- Windows 8 Professional → Your BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key will be rejected → Use the generic Windows 8.1 Professional product key
- Windows 8.1 Professional → Your BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key will be accepted no prompt for product key during installation.
Windows 8.1 Generic Product Keys
- Windows 8.1 Core/Home 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
- Windows 8.1 Professional XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Use the following keys for installation with Windows 8.1 media when your Windows 8.0 product key is rejected.
Windows 8.0 Generic Product Keys
- Windows 8.1 Core/Home FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
- Windows 8.1 Professional XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
These are listed for the rare cases where users will try to install Windows 8.0 using a Windows 8.1 product key (untested).
