Downgrade back to windows 8.1

[Jhudson340]

My pc came with windows 8.1 and it was upgraded to windows 10. I want to downgrade to back to windows 8.1. I tried to do a system restore but 8.1 is no longer on there. If I get a recovery disk will the product key that is on my pc work for it?

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

> If I get a recovery disk, will the product key that is on my PC work for it? 

Yes, if you obtain a "genuine" System Recovery Set from HP, it will work.

Additionally, it probably will recognize your HP motherboard, and NOT ask you for a product-key.

P.S. End of "mainstream" support for Windows 8 is January 9, 2018.

This means that if you report a problem with Windows 8 before that date, Microsoft will fix it.

Also, end of "extended" support for Windows 8 is January 10, 2023.

After that date, Microsoft will no longer issue security-updates for Windows 8/8.1 -- you will need to re-install Windows 10, to keep your computer "safe". 

Fortunately, since you are now running Windows 10, you have a "digital entitlement" to reinstall Windows 10, at any time, at no cost to you.