How to re-install windows after replacing hard drive

[Squibbelings]

So recently my hard disk drive started failing and I purchased a replacement. I knew I was going to need the recovery disk but couldn’t find it. I was able to make a recovery image and used an external hard drive for it. I’ve installed the new hard drive and I really don’t know what to do next. I don’t know how to install windows to this new hard drive. The operating system is windows 8. When I turn the computer on it asks to either troubleshoot or turn computer off. I’ve also tried pressing esc, before the windows logo appears after turning computer on, and there are other options, but I just don’t know where to go from there.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Here is how you can install W8.1 by using the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

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 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 below, 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.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-ENVY-700-000-Desktop-PC-series/5358989/model/537...

If you choose to install W8.1 by making the DVD, you will need to go into the BIOS, enable legacy mode and disable secure boot.

See this link for the settings to change...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03659945

[Squibbelings]

Thank you so much for your reply, I just have some questions. So am I unable to use the recovery image I made on this external hard drive? Also I can go the route you provided to me I was just wondering when I would manually change the product key to the windows 8 product. Would that be after I have installed W8.1? Sorry, I just want to make sure I understood that correctly. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You would have needed to have also made a bootable rescue disk or flash drive that you boot from in order to access the recovery image you made and stored on the portable hard drive.

If you have done that, then you boot from the rescue media and then you browse to where the recovery image is stored on the flash drive.

If you use the method I posted, you would run the showkey plus utility after you install W8.1.

The showkey plus utility will provide the W8 product key you will need to change from the generic W8.1 key you entered.

The only reason you use the generic key is that you must enter some kind of product key to install W8.1, when the original product key in the BIOS is for W8.

[Squibbelings]

Thank you so much! That worked perfectly. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.