reinstalling Windows 8.1 from HP OEM Disk asks for key.

[catskinner1]

Found elsewhere -

"I have an unused Win 10 Key and ShowKeyPlus says it is Win 10 RTM CoreCountrySpecific OEM :dM where can I get an iso for this?

It's a Chinese only edition. Only the OEM's there have it."

wondering whether to give the Chinese version a go - I don't know where the laptop originated - I work for a local charity and it was donated to us by a local school - I'm beginning to realise why 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

W10 does not have separate downloads. 

You create installation media using the media creation tool from the link below.

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

It would be easiest to create the bootable W10 installation flash drive.

Then when you go to install W10, you will be given a list of all of the available versions.

Hopefully the file will have the edition you need to install.

IMHO, it will be easier for you to try and make the W8.1 w/Bing ISO file or call HP and get the recovery media.

Once you get W8.1 installed you can probably get the free upgrade to W10 by reading the info at the link below.

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

[catskinner1]

ah, cheap one for a school - that maybe explains it - although signs are pointing to it being a single language (or maybe Chinese) version ... which aren't available - I'll try the basic one first ... and I've contacted HP to see what they have to say ... and how much they'll charge 😞

[catskinner1]

might it be a student version I wonder ?

Windows 8.1 with Bing - AKA CoreConnected, CCSL, and ProfessionalStudent OEM images

[Paul_Tikkanen]

W8.1 with Bing was provided free of charge to PC manufacturers to use in certain entry level notebook PC's such as the one you have there.

That is why they jumped at Microsoft's offer. 

It allowed them to charge less for the notebooks since they weren't paying for the operating system license.

The problem is that unless you buy the W8.1 w/Bing recovery media, the only way to reinstall it is to try making the media yourself by following the guidance on the link I posted.

I did it a long time ago, just to try it out. 

It worked, and I was able to boot from the media, but I didn't have any PC with W8.1 with Bing to test it out on.

[catskinner1]

Tried Win10 first but it didn't work (will investigate further when I have time) so that's why I thought I'd try win 8.1

[catskinner1 · Accepted solution]

Finally, Success - Run ShowKeyPlus - gives, OEM Edition: Win 8.1 RTM CoreConnected OEM:DM ie single language Win 8 with Bing  (key in Bios)

if anyone needs a copy message me for a link

- and now onto the next problem "why is it not charging 🙂 " ...  to be continued ... elsewhere ...

Thanks to everyone for their help