Ronnie Barnes
Last updated: Mar 29, 2024 12:00 am
Windows 8.1/8
If you have a computer running Windows 7 or 8 and you would like to upgrade the OS version to 8.1, you will not have to use a product key. But if your Windows version is older than either 7 or 8, you will need to get a Windows 8.1 product key. When Windows 8 was launched, there were a lot of complaints from users worldwide and to address those complaints, Microsoft had to release an upgraded version of Windows 8 which is Windows 8.1.
When you download Windows 8.1, you can enjoy a free trial for 15 days, after which you will need to provide a Windows 8.1 product key so that you can continue to enjoy its full features. If you do not provide this product key, you will be prompted to enter the product key every time you turn on your computer. If you would like to use Windows 8.1 on your computer, continue reading this article to know all about Windows 8.1 installation and activation.
1. What Makes Windows 8.1 Unique
2. How to Find Windows 8.1 Product Key
3. Free Windows 8.1 Product Keys
1. What Makes Windows 8.1 Unique?
Windows 8.1 was put out as an upgrade of Windows 8, and it fixes all of the errors, bugs and technical issues that users experienced with Windows 8. It also gives users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 to upgrade without using Windows 8.1 product key or Windows 8.1 installation key.
2. How to Find Windows 8.1 Product Key
If you have never seen a Windows 8.1 product key before, this is what it looks like
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
It contains 25 characters, and you can find them through the following methods:
If you bought a new PC and Windows 8.1 is pre-installed on it, you will find the Windows 8.1 product key printed on a sticker glued to the CPU.
If you bought your PC from a Microsoft -recognized dealer, the dealer should provide you with the Windows 8.1 product key.
If you bought a Windows 8.1 operating system CD/DVD, a card should come with it on which the Windows 8.1 installation key should be printed.
If you purchased your Windows digitally, the vendor would send you your Windows 8.1 product key via email.
3. Free Windows 8.1 Product Keys
If you are looking for a free Windows 8.1 product key, you will find the list below. You can copy one of them to activate your Windows 8.1.
4. How to Activate Windows 8.1: Two Ways
Activate Windows 8.1 Using a Phone
You can have your Windows 8.1 activated by using a phone because the OS itself is compatible with Android devices. Follow the steps below.
Click on "Start" from your PC’s desktop screen.
Navigate to the Settings app.
Click on "Activate Windows".
Select "Contact Customer Support".
Select your location and click on "Next".
The Windows 8.1 activation key for both desktop and mobile phone are the same, which means that you can use the same activation key for both the Windows on your desktop and the windows on your mobile device to activate them.
Put a call to one of the numbers on the page, and you can follow the voice prompt to complete the activation process.
Activate Windows 8.1 via Internet Connection
You can activate your Windows 8.1 using an internet connection by following the procedures below.
Navigate to Settings on your PC.
Click on "Activate Windows".
Copy one of the product keys listed earlier in the article, paste it in the box and click on "Next".
Follow the instructions as they come up on your screen till your Windows get activated.
Bonus Tip: How to Recover Windows 8.1 Password
In the process of activating your Windows 8.1, if you forget your admin or user account password, you can use a third-party tool that has proven to be highly effective to recover Windows password. Passper WinSenior is a tested, trusted and reliable tool that is used to recover forgotten Window password in one click.
100% recovery rate is guaranteed to recover your Windows password.
Recover or reset passwords of administrator and user-login accounts for your Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP.
Recover passwords for Windows 2008 Server, 2003 Server, and 2000 Server systems, etc.
Recover or reset Windows password without USB or disk.
Free Download for Win 10/8.1/8/7/XP
Follow the steps below to recover Windows 8.1 password with Passper WinSenior.
Step 1. Download and install Passper WinSenior on another accessible computer. Insert an external flash drive or CD/DVD and tap on 'Create' to burn a bootable disk.
Step 2. After creating the bootable drive, connect it to the locked computer. On the next window, you will be asked to choose your Windows brand and get the key to put the Windows into boot menu.
Step 3. You will be taken to a password recovery interface where you have different options to remove your password, reset your password, delete your Windows account or create a new account. Click on "Reset Windows Password" and then click "Next"
Step 4. Choose the account you wish to unlock and then click "Next".
Step 5. Enter new the password you want to use then click on "Reset".
Step 6. The program will notify you that the password has been reset. Click on "Reboot Computer" and eject the bootable disk. Finally, click on "Reboot Now" and enter the new password when the computer restarts.
Conclusion
Windows 8.1 is an impressive upgrade from Windows 8 and the fact that it does not come with the bugs and problems that Windows 8 had made it even a better option. If you have Windows 8 on your computer and you are trying to find ways to install it, follow the procedures above and get a Windows 8.1 Product key to ensure a successful installation and activation. If you want to recover your Windows password, you should install Passper WinSenior to help you with password recovery so that you can get back to using your computer right after the upgrade.
