Cannot Reinstall Windows 8

-1

My aim here is to reinstall Windows 8 Pro either by resetting or reinstalling from physical media, however I run into problems whichever option I want to use.

Resetting Windows 8 from PC Settings

Everytime I try this I get a message stating, "There was a problem while resetting your pc". This happens if I try it from PC settings, boot options and from a recovery disk. When booting back into Windows I get a window that apparently checks for solutions but nothing happens.

Reinstalling Windows from a media

I upgraded my Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. I never got an ISO or disk. I have tried downloading an ISO from here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only, however when I type my serial number in all I get is a message stating, "The product key you entered is an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8".

Redownload via Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant

This just tells me there is nothing to download in my area / country.

So as you can see, I am in quite a situation. Thanks.

joshkrz

Posted 2013-07-14T20:12:57.133

Reputation: 355

Question was closed 2013-07-16T16:13:43.277

1Do you still have your original Windows 7 installation media and key? – Darth Android – 2013-07-14T20:27:08.273

I might have it somewhere. Is it required to do a clean install? – joshkrz – 2013-07-14T21:37:48.560

2The Upgrade Assistant allows you to download an iso, that is the only legal way, to get a Windows ISO based on the license you now own. – Ramhound – 2013-07-15T00:53:14.433

Ever thought to raise a support request by phone at Microsoft? There are actually people working there who get paid to help you out. – None – 2013-07-14T21:32:42.480

Support expired after 90 days. – joshkrz – 2013-07-14T21:36:52.100

@joshkrz Microsoft still helps with product key issues. If you give them your Win7 product key and win 8 they should either give you a new key or modify your existing one. – cybernard – 2013-07-14T22:20:31.277

@cybernard: It's not a product key issue so much as not having access to setup media. – Karan – 2013-07-15T02:44:13.227

@Karan You don't need the full version. If you call Microsoft and say "I have an upgrade version of Win8, and I need to re-install it. However, I don't want to have to re-install windows 7 first." I had the same issue from Vista to win 7. After giving them both product keys they gave me a new product key that turned it into a full install. – cybernard – 2013-07-15T03:16:56.677

Answers

0

Worst case:

Download Windows 7 from here:

Windows 7 Home Premium x86  SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24208.iso
Windows  7  Home Premium x64 SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24209.iso
Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24280.iso
Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24281.iso
Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24394.iso
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1 (bootable)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24395.iso

Enter your Win 7 product key. Make a DVD from the win 8 DVD you got, if you haven't already. Put it in and upgrade it back to Win 8.

Now back everything up, so if you screw up you can restore this backup.

cybernard

Posted 2013-07-14T20:12:57.133

Reputation: 11 200

Asked: 2013-07-14T20:12:57.133

Viewed: 636 times

Active: 2013-07-15T03:21:35.880