windows 8.1 not activating

[xXMuzzleBrakerXx]

i boot from my usb, which has windows 8.1 to perform a clean install of it, and when i enter my product key, it says "The product key entered does not match any of the windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." , when i try to install windows 8.1 activated from the Upgrade Assistant, and put my product key, it says "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8.1"

I got my product key from: https://www.g2a.com/microsoft-windows-8-1-standard-32-64-bit-cd-key-global.html

 

[vrumor]

Buy a legit key and it will work. G2A is NOT a legit source for keys of any kind. Look into companies blacklisting keys bought on G2A. The old adage, you get what ya paid for, certainly is true with G2A.

 

[xXMuzzleBrakerXx]

Buy a legit key and it will work. G2A is NOT a legit source for keys of any kind. Look into companies blacklisting keys bought on G2A. The old addage, you get what ya paid for, certainly is true with G2A.

what do u mean, companies blacklisting keys bought on g2a?

 

[McHenryB]

Sites like g2a sell non-retail keys (e.g. ones intended for developers) that shouldn't be resold. When a company such as Microsoft detects such an abuse they will blacklist that key meaning it can't be used.

As has already been said, if someone is selling software keys for a fraction of the normal retail case it is fairly obvious that something is amiss.

 

[xXMuzzleBrakerXx]

so what do i do now, i cant just stay here with my 40$ wasted, something can be done right?

 

[mcnumpty23]

dont they offer insurance? g2a shield or something its called

think it means if you get a non valid key they replace it

though think you have to purchase the insurance at the time

 

[canadianvice]

so what do i do now, i cant just stay here with my 40$ wasted, something can be done right?

Try contacting them and see if they offer any guarantees. If not, chargeback on your card/paypal, and if not, be the wiser for next time, you just lost $40.

 

[USAFRet]

so what do i do now, i cant just stay here with my 40$ wasted, something can be done right?

Yes, something can be done. You can consider this a $40 lesson in what not to buy. You just blew $40 on a non-valid key.

Likely it was an old TechNet, or MSDN, or academic, or some companies VLK. Not valid for a retail install at all, and specifically 'not for resale'.

Last year, a member here reached out to MS about G2A. They came back with an unequivocal "No, they are not a valid reseller"

If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.