Activating Windows - Different Version

[MatTech]

So my father got a Windows 8.1 product key and decided to "try it" on his laptop with windows 7. It was an easy upgrade and I used the same product key for my PC that I built. He just got a product key for me to rectify things because the original key was for me. Well he got a Windows 8 key and I can't activate this version of Windows. What do I do without having to lose everything

 

[USAFRet]

File Explorer
Right click on 'This PC'
At the bottom, you should see 'Change product key'

 

[MatTech]

File Explorer
Right click on 'This PC'
At the bottom, you should see 'Change product key'

There is no change product key.

 

[USAFRet]

File Explorer
Right click on 'This PC'
At the bottom, you should see 'Change product key'

There is no change product key.

Control Panel - System

 

[MatTech]

File Explorer
Right click on 'This PC'
At the bottom, you should see 'Change product key'

There is no change product key.

Control Panel - System

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

 

[USAFRet]

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

 

[MatTech]

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

 

[rgd1101]

what version of windows do you have? 8.1?
and you have key for 8.0?

 

[MatTech]

what version of windows do you have? 8.1?
and you have key for 8.0?

Yes.

 

[USAFRet]

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

Ah. So we have an 8 vs 8.1 issue.
You can't use a Windows 8 license to activate a Windows 8.1 install. Methinks dad bought the wrong thing.

 

[MatTech]

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

Ah. So we have an 8 vs 8.1 issue.
You can't use a Windows 8 license to activate a Windows 8.1 install. Methinks dad bought the wrong thing.

So is there nothing to do?

 

[rgd1101]

either spend $ to buy another key
or, reinstall to 8, then activate, then upgrade to 8.1

 

[USAFRet]

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

Ah. So we have an 8 vs 8.1 issue.
You can't use a Windows 8 license to activate a Windows 8.1 install. Methinks dad bought the wrong thing.

So is there nothing to do?

Full reinstall with Windows 8...🙁

 

[rmbabu]

Hi

Pls search for the developer key for activating windows 8.1

Then use the change product key to use your actual 8 key

I had the same issue & I did the same

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

Ah. So we have an 8 vs 8.1 issue.
You can't use a Windows 8 license to activate a Windows 8.1 install. Methinks dad bought the wrong thing.

So is there nothing to do?

Full reinstall with Windows 8...🙁

 

[MatTech]

either spend $ to buy another key
or, reinstall to 8, then activate, then upgrade to 8.1

Is there any way to not wipe everything on my PC? Maybe some partition trick?

 

[MatTech]

Hi

Pls search for the developer key for activating windows 8.1

Then use the change product key to use your actual 8 key

I had the same issue & I did the same

Mine says "Activate Windows" in the spot you circled. But there is an option on the page where it says "Windows 8" in blue that reads, "Get more features with a new edition of Windows". I just typed the product key in and it says it works. Should I proceeed? Will this activate my Windows?

Just go with the 'Activate Windows'.

Well that's my problem. When I put it in there, it says that it can't be used to activate that version of Windows.

Ah. So we have an 8 vs 8.1 issue.
You can't use a Windows 8 license to activate a Windows 8.1 install. Methinks dad bought the wrong thing.

So is there nothing to do?

Full reinstall with Windows 8...🙁

OMG ok. So where can I find this developer key. I couldn't find it with a quick Google search.

 

[rgd1101]

I couldn't find it with a quick Google search.

developer key is not for home use. And can't help you pirate software.
thread close.