Thinkpads Forum

Hi!

I want to do a clean install same as the pre-installed 8.1 [with the key in the BIOS]. What disk no. do I need. [I assume it would be an edition where I don't enter the key.]

Side question: Is the product key what the current 8.1 system shows in Magical Jellybean keyfinder?

This may be of interest.

I figured it out, stumbled onto the answer in a forum dicking around with the ei.cfg file.

The media I got from M$ turns out to be retail-only.

using the Windows 8.1 Media Creator Tool, you can create an ISO of an edition for OEM [and it claims Retail as well, but I haven't checked that out; it would mean I don't have to have two disks, handy].

This one installs 8.1 with the BIOS-based key just fine [and no bloatware].

keyfinder Pro cannot find a product key here. Magical JellyBean found the same key as the pre-install. The actual installation doesn't ask for a key [uses the one in the BIOS, which is for 8.1 Pro].