[SOLVED] how to reinstall windows with product key I paid for

Status
Not open for further replies.
Nov 8, 2021
6
2
20
I have a dell inspiron 15 (3521) laptop. The HD crapped out on me. I bought a new one and proceeded to re-install windows 8.1 pro on it. During the re-installation, I was not prompted for the product key which I paid for several months back. I am worried that (like my desktop) all of a sudden I will get the message "product key expired". No matter what I have tried, i cannot get this new installation to accept the key I bought. Why?
 
Solution
I have a dell inspiron 15 (3521) laptop. The HD crapped out on me. I bought a new one and proceeded to re-install windows 8.1 pro on it. During the re-installation, I was not prompted for the product key which I paid for several months back. I am worried that (like my desktop) all of a sudden I will get the message "product key expired". No matter what I have tried, i cannot get this new installation to accept the key I bought. Why?
Reinstall on that same system should not incur any license issues

Does it currently report 'activated'?

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
I have a dell inspiron 15 (3521) laptop. The HD crapped out on me. I bought a new one and proceeded to re-install windows 8.1 pro on it. During the re-installation, I was not prompted for the product key which I paid for several months back. I am worried that (like my desktop) all of a sudden I will get the message "product key expired". No matter what I have tried, i cannot get this new installation to accept the key I bought. Why?
Reinstall on that same system should not incur any license issues

Does it currently report 'activated'?
 
Solution
Nov 8, 2021
6
2
20
Ok, I found out what it was. I had used Belarc Advisor on the old hard drive to get the product key that I paid for. Then I installed the new drive and used an ISO from Microsoft to re-install what I thought was 8.1 Pro. Just after I posted the above issue, I went into settings and system ,and learned that the ISO had only installed 8.1 NOT PRO. I finally found the spot that I could enter the old product key and get my OS updated to PRO without issue.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.