windows 8

[SocoDawn4270]

My HP Stream came with windows 8 preinstalled. I am wanting to do a factory restore but it wont allow me to do so because somehow windows 8.1 pro was put on my stream and was not activated. So in order to do my restore I have to install windows 8 and then reactivated it Someone PLEASE help

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

KeyFinderInstaller may help....
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Doing research, and none of the methods are mine, I have some, simple single lines of code that will list the same value for your Windows 10 Product Key…
Two for Windows 10 and one for Linux.

W10 Using cmd.exe as an Administrator (copy and paste accordingly).

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey >> c:\ProdKey.txt

Creates a text file called ProdKey.txt on your C:\ area.

Next is a PowerShell command, as Administrator...
(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey

but it will run within W10 using cmd.exe as an Administrator.
powershell (Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey

Last, but not least....
Linux@Lubuntu:~$ sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM | strings | tail -n 1

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @SocoDawn4270 

Here is how to install W8.1 by using the W8 product key...

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 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.

[kyle_b]

One issue here, the Stream notebooks that shipped with Windows 8.1 were actually Windows 8.1 with Bing which is not officially available from Microsoft.  The downloadable Windows 8.1 images from Microsoft will install but will not activate. 

Although re-reading Paul's reply, it sounds like the "standard" key might work instead?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @kyle_b 

If the notebook originally came with W8 as the OP indicated, then my method will work.

If the notebook originally came with W8.1 with Bing, you are correct, it will not work, and the person would have to order W8.1 w/Bing recovery media.

There is also this site where you can make a W8.1 w/Bing installation file (all the way at the bottom).

https://www.pcsteps.com/210-download-windows-8-1/

I actually made an installation disk following the guidance just to see if it worked or not.

I tested it as far as getting to the Install Now screen.

I do not have any notebooks with that OS on it, so I didn't proceed any further.