New Windows Installation on Elitebook Folio

[Bahall]

Hi, my neighbour asked me to help her set up a second-hand Elitebook Folio she bought ex-company. They have wiped it entirely, I can only open the HP BIOS. Originally, it came with Windows 8 Pro (judging from the sticker on the back); I imagine it was a company licence, so this can't be used (no installation keys etc. were provided). Is it possible now to buy a new Windows 10 licence and install that or do I need to go back to Windows 8? Thank you so much! 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The W8.1 Pro product key is in the BIOS.

You can reinstall W8.1 Pro for free by downloading the W8.1 Pro 64 bit ISO file from the link below.

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

Use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below to transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so that it is bootable.

After W8.1 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from the notebook's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-elitebook-folio-1040-g2-notebook-pc/7393377

Then you can try to get the free upgrade to W10.  See the info at the link below for how to do that...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

You can get the upgrade to W10 by clicking on the blue Update Now button at the link below.

If you are asked to enter a product key during the upgrade process, select the 'I don't have a product key' option.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

[Bahall]

Hi Paul,

thank you so much for your help! I have downloaded a Windows 8.1 ISO file (English and also English International) and ran the Windows Creation Tool on a Windows 7 laptop, but when I choose the file (in the download folder) it says that the ISO file is invalid.

The internal setting is English (New Zealand), but I cannot download such an ISO file. 

I do have a Windows 10 laptop available which I could use to try to create a bootable USB from. 

Would you have any more suggestions on this?

Thank you so much!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If the Microsoft tool that I attached doesn't work, I would use the free Rufus utility to create a bootable installation flash drive.

https://rufus.ie/

The ISO file must be made bootable.

[Bahall]

Thank you, I'll try it!