Update and Recovery

[KingYKobra]

I'm seriously about done trying to fix this issue on my computer. I run a Windows 8.1 Operating System on a Probook 455 G1. Im having issues with my Update and Recovery. When I try to go under recovery and either select "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" or "Remove everything and reinstall Windows", it will always tell me "Insert Media: Some files are missing. Your Windows Installation or recovery media will provide these files". I have the "Application and Driver Recovery DVD" and "Operating System DVD" for both Windows 8 and Windows 7. Now however, in order to Refresh my PC and run recovery, I have to have the "Operating System DVD" or "Application and Driver Recovery DVD" for Windows 8.1 now that I have upgraded. I obviously just upgraded to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 for free at home. Also, apperantly it is impossible to return to Windows 7 or 8 without a factory reset or PC refresh (which is what I'm trying to do in the first place). I know I could possibly download the Windows 8.1 Operating System onto a blank disk and use it, but to do that I would need a Windows 8.1 product key (which I don't have). Would I have to just buy Windows 8.1 to get a product key and try this? Does anyone have a much more simple solution for me??

 

[Solandri]

You can create a Windows 8/8.1 recovery flash drive by using your Windows key and downloading the 8-16 GB recovery image from Microsoft. (Don't try to burn it to DVD - it's probably too big to fit. Use a USB flash drive.)

Instructions for finding your key and creating recovery image:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

Microsoft site for creating recovery image.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Instructions for re-creating the recovery partition after you've got Win 8/8.1 set up again to your liking.
http://www.howtogeek.com/167831/everything-you-need-to-know-about-creating-custom-recovery-images-for-windows-8

After you've got the recovery partition set up, I highly recommend making a copy on your USB flash drive, just in case you suffer a drive failure.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive

 

[KingYKobra]

You can create a Windows 8/8.1 recovery flash drive by using your Windows key and downloading the 8-16 GB recovery image from Microsoft. (Don't try to burn it to DVD - it's probably too big to fit. Use a USB flash drive.)

Instructions for finding your key and creating recovery image:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

Microsoft site for creating recovery image.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Instructions for re-creating the recovery partition after you've got Win 8/8.1 set up again to your liking.
http://www.howtogeek.com/167831/everything-you-need-to-know-about-creating-custom-recovery-images-for-windows-8

After you've got the recovery partition set up, I highly recommend making a copy on your USB flash drive, just in case you suffer a drive failure.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive

Alright thank you! But I may have done something wrong somewhere, because during the Windows 8.1 Installation at 96-99% it will tell me "Windows 8.1 installation has failed"..?

Update: Ah never mind I found a way around the issue. Thank you for your help sir!