Activate Windows 8.1 after reinstallation

[StephMier]

I had a hard drive failure after replacing the hard drive I reinstalled Windows 8.1 using my HP Operating System DVD but Windows is not activated. What steps are necessary to activate my Windows product?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If your PC came from HP with W8.1, the Windows 8.1 product key should be in the BIOS and W8.1 should not be asking for activation.

I have zipped up and attached below, a free utility that will show you the Windows product key in your PC's BIOS.

Enter the product key in the change product key the PC settings menu.

[StephMier]

I used the show key utility but the key is still not activating. We have internet connectiviity see below I tried both keys.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The product key in the BIOS is for W8 ' Standard.'

You installed W8.1 Pro, so if the key you used for W8.1 Pro isn't working, unforunately I don't know why it isn't.

You can install W8.1 'standard,' and use the W8 'standard' key in the BIOS as follows...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

Only if you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 'standard' key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached the other day, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or usb flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.