Windows 10: Clean install to downgrade, serial key question

Discus and support Clean install to downgrade, serial key question in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; I've installed Windows 10 and after a few days I want to rollback to Windows 8.1 Because I used a Media Creation Tool, apparently the files needed... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by filipeteles, Nov 5, 2015.

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  1. FILIPETELES
    filipeteles Win User

    Clean install to downgrade, serial key question


    I've installed Windows 10 and after a few days I want to rollback to Windows 8.1

    Because I used a Media Creation Tool, apparently the files needed to do so have been wiped off my drive.

    I decided to do a clean install of Windows 8.1, but I'm wondering, how does a clean installation of Windows will handle the serial key? I got my laptop with Windows pre-installed, so I don't have an installation CD.

    :)
     
    filipeteles, Nov 5, 2015
    #1
  2. WRAKOR
    Wrakor Win User

    As a Windows Insider with Windows 10 RTM already, how am I supposed to get my key?

    So, I reserved my copy a while ago when I had 8.1 installed and then I clean installed the 10 Preview that comes with a generic serial key for test purposes. As an Insider, I received Build 10240 (RTM) a while ago, so my question is how am I supposed to
    get my key if the Insider Builds have a pre-defined serial key?
     
    Wrakor, Nov 5, 2015
    #2
  3. SHENAN STANLEY
    Shenan Stanley Win User
    downgrate windows 10 to 8.1

    You have Windows 10 Pro installed and a copy of Windows 8.1 (with product key) you can use? (Downgrade rights.)



    OR...



    You have an unused Windows 8.1 _____ edition with product key you can clean install and the hardware in question is supported by the manufacturer when Windows 8.1 is installed?
     
    Shenan Stanley, Nov 5, 2015
    #3
  4. NAVYLCDR
    NavyLCDR New Member

    Clean install to downgrade, serial key question

    Just because you upgraded with the Media Creation Tool does not mean that you can't rollback. The upgrade function of Windows Media Creation Tool works just the same as upgrading from Windows Update.

    That being said -

    1. You can use showkey plus from this forum to make sure you have a Windows 8 product key stored in the bios:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

    2. You can download Windows 8.1 with it's media creation tool:
    Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help


    3. Clean installing Windows 8.1 should read the product key in bios to activate, if you install the same version as the key stored in bios is for - which showkey will tell you what version that is.

    4. If it is "core connected" that means Windows with Bing and you might be out of luck.

    If you did a clean install of Windows 10 - then you are correct, you can't rollback to Windows 8, you have to re-install it.
     
    NavyLCDR, Nov 5, 2015
    #4
  5. FILIPETELES
    filipeteles Win User
    I get this error when I try to update it, and I still have the old windows folder on my drive. I read somewhere about this bug that makes downgrading impossible if you used media creation tool.



    Clean install to downgrade, serial key question [​IMG]



    Thanks for the show key link, very helpful!

    EDIT: By the way, what you mean by Windows with Bing and core connected on 4?
     
    filipeteles, Nov 5, 2015
    #5
  6. NAVYLCDR
    NavyLCDR New Member
    If showkey plus shows that the bios product key is for core corrected, that means that the original OS was Windows 8.1 with Bing - which is extremely hard to find a free ISO to restore.
     
    NavyLCDR, Nov 5, 2015
    #6
  7. FILIPETELES
    filipeteles Win User
    Ah okie. It's actually 8.1 RTM Pro.
     
    filipeteles, Nov 5, 2015
    #7
  8. SPAPAKONS
    spapakons Win User

    Clean install to downgrade, serial key question

    Well, I thought the Windows 8.1 ISO can install all versions depending on key. If this is the case, then by detecting a Bing key in BIOS or manually typing a Bing key it should install the appropriate version. Or the same key should also be used to install Windows 8.1 core without Bing and add Bing later. Is that possible?
     
    spapakons, Nov 5, 2015
    #8
  9. ALPHANUMERIC
    alphanumeric New Member
    No, to most of what you said. MSDN ISO's are multi edition Core and Pro and the key used determines what is installed. They do not contain the Single Language or With Bing editions though. The Media creation Tool can supply Core or Pro or Core Single Language, you pick which one. No With Bing edition though. Each different edition requires its own set of keys, Core, Core SL, Pro, With Bing. Core will not accept a With Bing key.
     
    alphanumeric, Nov 5, 2015
    #9
  10. SUPERFLY
    Superfly Win User
    Nope, Bing is an exclusive OEM edition in it's own right - needs specific image/key combination (for Win8*) - MSDN-based iso's with Core and Pro will detect the bios key and auto-select.

    *The new Win10 builds will detect a Bing key and install Home - or the Bing key can be used on those installs, as you described.

    Edit: Ninja'd by alpha.
     
    Superfly, Nov 5, 2015
    #10
  11. SPAPAKONS
    spapakons Win User
    OK, didn't know that. I usually download ISOs for both Core and Pro to make sure I can service the most computers.
     
    spapakons, Nov 5, 2015
    #11
  12. ALPHANUMERIC
    alphanumeric New Member
    Yeah, the With Bing edition is a real PITA. I can't even get that ISO on MSDN. Not an option on the MCT either. You have to go to the OEM that you bought the PC from, If you didn't create recovery media. And they charge a fee for it.
     
    alphanumeric, Nov 5, 2015
    #12
  13. SPAPAKONS
    spapakons Win User

    Clean install to downgrade, serial key question

    Let's say you have created a DVD from a computer that has the Bing version installed. Could you use it in a different computer with Windows 8 with Bing or it is OEM specific?
     
    spapakons, Nov 6, 2015
    #13
  14. ALPHANUMERIC
    alphanumeric New Member
    Depends on how you created the DVD I guess? Recovery media will be device and manufacturer specific. How else are you going to create an install DVD?
     
    alphanumeric, Nov 6, 2015
    #14
  15. SUPERFLY
    Superfly Win User
    Thankfully it made a discrete exit with Win10.
    It was a strange edition though as Bing was not enforced AFAIK.
     
    Superfly, Nov 6, 2015
    #15
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