Activation code for Windows 8.1

[khoing]

Hi,

I purchased an HP All in One 21 around a year ago. It came with Windows 8.1, which ran decent. I upgraded it to Windows 10 awhile ago and it seems unstable (as my wifi driver fails after an update). 

Irritated by instability, I wiped the entire disk and installed Ubuntu. Now, I want to trade this computer to my dad and I need to reinstall Windows again, but I don't have any installation disc or activation code.

Is there anyway I can get a genuine Windows running on my machine again? I can provide receipt, purchase date, etc.

Best regards & Thanks in advance

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Welcome!

HP computers that have Windows preinstalled (a.k.a. OEM Windows) have recovery partitions that can be used for recovery to factory default condition - example, they can wipe some partitions and reinstall Windows that came preinstalled.

If you had Windows , it was possible to create a recovery media for reinstallation of Windows. If this was not done prior to installing Ubuntu, then you need a recovery media now.

Your options are:

-1- continue using GNU/Linux > Ubuntu (or get Linux Mint) and give it to your dad. I am sure he will like Linux - great operating system. Linux Mint www.linuxmint.com is based on Ubuntu but is considered more user-friendly, somewhat more stable and similar to Windows desktop experience.

-2- contact HP support for obtaining recovery media (either DVDs or USB pen drive). HP can send you recovery media that can be used to reinstall Windows (e.g. Windows 8.1) and this will return your computer to the condition it was upon purchase - factory default.  More info:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/bph07143

Please, provide your feedback and let me know if it works for you.

[khoing]

Hey! Thanks for the reply! Pretty helpful 🙂

Since I'm pretty sure my dad won't like Ubuntu in any way. I checked out the second solution and found out that it's around $30 to get a recovery stick, so that's not going to work out for me. 

Guess I'll regret not having burned a recovery disk when I was still on Windows.

[IT_WinSec]

You are most welcome!

Yes, the recovery media is about 30 USD. In my opinion this is way cheaper than purchasing new licence and new installation media for clean Windows from Microsoft . If you plan to use Windows this is the cheapest official variant as you miss recovery media and license