A few weeks ago, I purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro as an upgrade from Windows 7 (Ultimate). I didn't format my system drive, so I kept all my settings and applications. Everything went fine.
The process was entirely handled through Microsoft's assistant (purchasing, downloading, installing), though, and I don't think a backup ISO copy (or something like that) of Windows 8 was ever saved somewhere on my system.
I am now considering replacing my system hard drive with a SSD drive, and I think it'd be a good idea to do a clean install at the same time. But like I said, I don't have an install disc or even an ISO file for Windows 8, so I'm a bit at a loss about how to proceed. I searched the web and the W8 official site without finding much success.
What are my options? Is it possible to download W8 it from Microsoft (I searched but found nothing), or do I have to reinstall Windows 7 (for which I have the disc) and then re-do the upgrade process? Or something else?
Answer
You can download Windows 8 Professional from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only. It will download the Upgrade Assistant. One difference is it will need only the Product Key, there will be no buying option.
You should run it on a Windows 7 PC (e.g. friends PC). Then select "install by creating media". It will create an ISO file. Burn to DVD and make clean install. After installing try to activate the system. If you can not activate (error code: 0xc004f061) then call the Microsoft Customer Service. They will help you activating the system (you will need Windows 7 Product Key and the new Windows 8 Product Key).
No comments:
Post a Comment