Windows 8 Product code not working after fresh install

[Daniel_0699]

I stupidly changed the permissions of my C: drive to myself while i was on windows 10 so now i can't boot windows and found out the only way to fix it is with a clean install. I tried to make a windows 10 bootable usb which didn't work for some reason, so i decided to make one for Windows 8.1 considering my PC was originally on Windows 8.
I used ProduKey while in safe mode on windows 10 and it gave me the original key which i figured should work for a windows 8 install.. but it didn't.
Any ideas??
Thanks in advance

 

[das_stig]

I would just do a clean Win8 x64 install, don't bother activating.

Use the Win10 media creation tool to download x64 image directly to a 8GB pendrive.

Then do a clean Win10 install, once you sign up with Microsoft, the existing Win10 licence key should activate.

 

[Daniel_0699]

I would just do a clean Win8 x64 install, don't bother activating.

Use the Win10 media creation tool to download x64 image directly to a 8GB pendrive.

Then do a clean Win10 install, once you sign up with Microsoft, the existing Win10 licence key should activate.

It won't allow me to install Win8 without activating, there is no skip button or anything.
And when i used media creation tool for Win10 from another laptop, it wouldn't boot, it said there is no Operating System.

I might just go onto Linux.. save the hassle

 

[Tom Tancredi]

The Windows 10 key is NOT the same as Windows 8. They are two different keys.
If you go to www.windows.com and follow the exact steps outlined (if this is a legitimate copy of Windows you originally had) once the hardware profile is created, Windows 10 will auto register correctly because W10 now puts your hardware profile (everything) on the MS server with your Microsoft registered account and place it against that.

Now when W8 came out, there were still some with the sticker underneath, but most had the 'key' (as it was for w8.1 and now 10) build into the new BIOS called UEFI. It has the key locked inside the hardware and only licensed to that edition of Windows.

If you have a problem WITH the official DVD from your maker (Dell, HP, etc. NO you can't mix and match aka put a Dell W8 into a HP laptop for example) then you need to contact the maker about the issue.

We can not validate the truthfulness of your situation, and thus any further discussions on licensing or other ways to 'extract' license keys would violate TH's Terms of Service.

 

[Daniel_0699]

The Windows 10 key is NOT the same as Windows 8. They are two different keys.
If you go to www.windows.com and follow the exact steps outlined (if this is a legitimate copy of Windows you originally had) once the hardware profile is created, Windows 10 will auto register correctly because W10 now puts your hardware profile (everything) on the MS server with your Microsoft registered account and place it against that.

Now when W8 came out, there were still some with the sticker underneath, but most had the 'key' (as it was for w8.1 and now 10) build into the new BIOS called UEFI. It has the key locked inside the hardware and only licensed to that edition of Windows.

If you have a problem WITH the official DVD from your maker (Dell, HP, etc. NO you can't mix and match aka put a Dell W8 into a HP laptop for example) then you need to contact the maker about the issue.

We can not validate the truthfulness of your situation, and thus any further discussions on licensing or other ways to 'extract' license keys would violate TH's Terms of Service.

Yeah, I know that the Win8 and 10 keys are different but this PC came with Windows 8 i just upgraded to windows 10 for free (when it was available) so shouldn't the original product key be from windows 8?
and i don't think i even have an offical dvd from Acer.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

1) doesn't matter you updated, the key that either is a sticker on the computer or built into the UEFI is all Windows 8 needs. But that has nothing to do with Windows 10
2) as I said if you reinstall W10, following the steps on www.windows.com (Microsoft's official site) as you said you had W10 registered on that computer (upgrade or not doesn't make a difference) it will reregister when you login with your Microsoft registered account (i.e. mydumbaccount@outlook.com or whatever it is).
3) If you don't have the Acer DVD you have a choice
A) call acer and give your devices information, then order (for a discount) the System Restore DVD. BUT I DOUBT THEY WILL, as W8 is no longer supported and they stopped making the DVD a long while ago.
B) Go to pcpartpicker.com, Amazon.com, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. and go buy a copy of Windows 10 and install it on your wiped computer as a clean install.

That is the only choices you have.