Though Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to all Windows 8 users, the users will not be able to install Windows 8.1 without a Windows 8 product key. Microsoft grants permission to the users to download Windows 8.1 installation media with a Windows 8.1 key. If you do not know how to do that, do not worry. We have got you covered. In this article, we will be informing you about Windows 8.1 Generic Keys and how to install them.
How To Fix (Older Version)
The product key for Windows 8.1 is completely different from Windows 8 product keys. You will not be able to enter Windows 8 product key into Windows 8.1 installer. Simultaneously you won’t be able to download and install Windows 8 (original version) with a Windows 8.1 product key.
However, this issue can be resolved by some backhand methods. The Windows 8.1 installer does not accept the Windows 8 product key and does not permit the installation of Windows 8.1. Though, 8.1 will accept the version 8 product key if you enter it on the desktop after installing Windows 8.1.
Also read: 5 Simple Ways To Find Windows Product Key
Generic Key To Install Windows 8.1
Many times, when you need to install Windows version 10, 8.1, or 8 for evaluation or testing virtually in VirtualBox, you will not be able to activate it every time with the licensed key. In this case, you can use the generic keys from Microsoft. This way you will be allowed to install the OS. But, keep in mind, you won’t be able to activate it. If you have an ISO photo with the Windows Setup files, only then, you will be allowed to install the OS using a generic key.
Generic Keys For Windows 10
Two generic keys available for Windows 10 are the Average edition and the Enterprise edition. The keys have been given below:
Windows 10 Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
Windows 10 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Windows 10 Home Single Language: 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
Windows 10 Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
Generic Keys For Windows 8.1
There are four editions of generic keys for Windows 8.1 like Windows 8.1 RT, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise.
Let us take a look at the editions for Basic and Pro versions of 8.1:
Windows 8.1 standard/non-Pro edition: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Along with Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT
Some other keys are:
| 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT |
| NK2V7-9DWXG-KMTWQ-K9H9M-6VHPJ |
| TNH8J-KG84C-TRMG4-FFD7J-VH4WX |
| Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC |
| GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9 |
| GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT |
| FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H |
| 6NPQ8-PK64X-W4WMM-MF84V-RGB89 |
| JRBBN-4Q997-H4RM2-H3B7W-Q68KC |
| NDRDJ-3YBP2-8WTKD-CK7VB-HT8KW |
Generic Keys For Windows 8
There are 4 versions which are Windows RT, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise.
The keys you can use have been given below:
Windows 8 standard or non-Pro edition: FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
Windows 8 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW
Some other keys are
| Windows 8 | FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3 |
| Windows 8 (ARM) | 6D4CN-WMGRW-DG8M6-XX8W9-3RPT8 |
| Windows 8 (Country Specific) | XYNVP-TW798-F8893-7B89K-8QHDK |
| Windows 8 (Single Language) | XBRND-QDJTG-CQJDB-7DRBW-RX6HB |
| Windows 8 Professional | XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH |
| Windows 8 Professional with WMC | RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW |
| Windows 8 Enterprise | 32JNW-9KQ84-P47T8-D8GGY-CWCK7 |
| Windows 8 N | |
| Windows 8 N | VDKYM-JNKJ7-DC4X9-BT3QR-JHRDC |
| Windows 8 Professional N | BHHD4-FKNK8-89X83-HTGM4-3C73G |
| Windows 8 Enterprise N | NCVKH-RB9D4-R86X8-GB8WG-4M2K6 |
Also read: Techniques To Solve ‘Windows Could Not Complete The Installation Error’
Conclusion
The keys mentioned here will only install Windows for evaluation or testing for a very short duration of time. Therefore, you require a genuine key purchased from Microsoft to activate it. When activating the installed OS, the generic product key needs to be changed to lly purchased key. We hope this article has clarified your queries regarding Windows 8.1 key in a detailed manner.
