(Solved) Trying to refresh/ reset Windows 8.1 but files are missing? :'(

[Guitarman]

After some time of my OS getting clogged up and slower than usual I decided it was time to move windows to my SSD. As my SSD wasn't anywhere near large enough to transfer windows aswell as all my programs, I decided a clean install would be the best option for a fresh start.

 

Backed everything up to my external hard drive and spent most of the day getting it all organised and crap free and when I went to: remove everything and reinstall windows it said it could not complete as some files were missing. (in my opinion it's a stupid message as if files are missing isn't it a good idea to reinstall?? But anyway...)

 

The problem is that I upgraded from windows 8 meaning I don't have the windows 8.1 disc it requires...

 

If I were to boot to my windows 8 disc and install it:

1: Would it wipe my drives and clear out my windows 8.1 OS as I want it to?

2: Will my product key work again or will it say it's already been used?

 

I'm really stuck so if anyone has any idea how I can get a clean version of Windows 8.1 on my SSD it would be much appreciated!

 

Guitarman

[Plastic Nev]

You should be able to install the Windows 8 onto the SSD, then use the Microsoft updates to then install the upgrade to 8.1.

The original product key will still be the same so shouldn't cause a problem.

However, I am not fully up to speed on Windows 8 as I don't yet have that system so others may know more.

 

Nev.

[wellies]

Yes, a problem Microsoft should address. You pay for the Windows 8 upgrade, get a product key number and install Windows 8. The upgrade process puts a folder on the C: drive called 'ESD'. This contains all the files needed for the Windows refresh operation. Then the 8.1 upgrade comes along and successfully upgrades the system to Windows 8.1. However, it doesn't update the files in the ESD folder. These remain at the Windows 8 version. The result is that the Windows 8.1 files are not available for a refresh. All a bit of an oversight if you ask me.

 

It is possible to download an 8.1 ISO for using as an 8.1 installation disk (for both refresh and re-installation purposes). I have done this but there is a further problem. The Windows 8 product key won't work with the downloaded 8.1 ISO. I tried a workaround but it all seemed so much hassle in the end that I re-installed using the procedure mentioned by Nev in the previous post. This will wipe our all existing data on the disk.

 

However, I have since read of another way of doing a clean installation of Windows 8.1 and using the Windows 8 product key. This is to initially use a dummy key that will let you go ahead with the installation. This might sound slightly dodgy but the key only allows you to do just that. When activation time comes, you will be required to use the Windows 8 key that you purchased. I haven't tried this myself but here is someone who has:

 

You'd obviously end up with the cleanest of new installations that way. Installing Windows 8 from the CD that you already have and then upgrading to 8.1 via the Windows Store should work but you end up with large automatically created backup folders. Not ideal when you want to save all the space you can on an SSD.

 

However, the backups can be removed using Windows' own disk cleaning function once everything seems to be working OK. (Right-click on the C: drive > Properties > Disk Clean-up > Clean up system files make sure everything is ticked). Note that a full disk clean-up including the system files takes absolutely ages. Once done though, much disk space is reclaimed and I'm pretty sure you'd end up with a system nearly as clean as when using a Windows 8.1 disk for a new installation. Since the C:\ESD folder doesn't seem to be any good for 8.1 refresh purposes, I suppose this could be removed as well.

 

Just a suggestion. Make a disk image of your existing system before you start.

[Guitarman]

Thank you both so so much for your replies!!

 

The method you suggested wellies seemed a great solution so I tried it but for some reason my product key wouldn't work? I had the OEM version of windows 8 so does this mean once my key is used it no longer works? And if so do you know a way around this? Is it worth a call to microsoft?

 

Thank you so much for your help so far!

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, can you just clarify something for us please about the disk you have, did it come with the computer, or is it a disk you made when the computer was new, or is it the original Microsoft disk used if the computer was a built one either built by you or someone else?

If one of the first two, it may be that it will only reinstall to the original hard drive!

 

Next, did you manage to get it to install before it asked for the product key, or did it refuse to install without the key?

 

If it is refusing to install, did you have a look at the link Wellies gave, there are instructions for obtaining a dummy key to start the install.

This is the link, try clicking on this :- here is someone who has

 

If nothing will work, it may mean a call to Microsoft.

 

Nev.

[Guitarman]

Hey guys,

 

I decided in the end just to pose the question quickly to microsoft support before I did anything; just as something I could quote if things did go pear shaped. Using all the awesome information wellies gave me I was able to explain about the ESD folder and everything and he was easily able to tell me that as long as it was done on the same computer there would be no problem with the product key not being accepted! And he was correct and I was also able to format my drives (SSD and HDD) when installing...

 

The computer I'm working with is actually custom built by me as a gaming/ production rig and it was you guys who helped me choose the parts for it back around christmas time!

 

After the chat with microsoft support (and as I have a busy time coming up) I decided I would just go for it. As my product key was not for the retail version I was unable to make the 8.1 ISO so I installed windows 8 from my disc and just updated everything... I am just running the cleanup and windows has easily fitted on my SSD. I have also set up documents and all that to save to my hard drive. To my knowledge everything is working perfectly and just like new so I can't thank you guys enough for the help because it's been brilliant!

 

Thank you!!

Guitarman

[Plastic Nev]

Good to hear that and that all is working well.

I will mark this as solved, and thanks for letting us know.

 

Nev.