How to Get Windows 8.1 for Free

An easy-to-follow guide on activating your Windows 8.1 for free

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Last Updated: May 21, 2024

You need to activate Windows 8.1 within a specific time period in order to continue using it. The instructions and activation key are already included in the installer's package, but if you somehow lose the activation key, there are alternative ways to activate the operating system. This wikiHow article covers everything you need to know.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Recovering a Lost Key

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1
Download a key retrieval program. Your Windows Product key is buried in the registry, but it can be easily extracted by using a free key retrieval program. Two of the most popular options are ProductKey and Key Finder.
- Both of these programs are free and can be downloaded from the developers' websites. Both offer paid versions, but your Windows key can be retrieved with the free version.
You typically will not need to install the program. Simply run it and a list of available keys will be displayed. Find the "Windows" entry to find your key.

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Your key will be listed as "Product Key" or "CD Key". The Windows Product Key is 25 characters split into five groups of five characters each.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Activating Windows 8.1

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Open the Activation window by pressing ⊞ Win+R and typing slui 3. Press ↵ Enter to open the window.
Enter the key that you either recovered, received with your Windows purchase, or is affixed to your computer on a sticker. You do not need to type the dashes, as they will be added automatically. Windows will automatically attempt to activate as soon as the key is entered.
3
Try the Command Prompt. If the steps above don't work, you can try to enter the key through an elevated Command Prompt. Press ⊞ Win+X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".
- Type slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX and press ↵ Enter, replacing the XXXXXs with your product key. Be sure to include the dashes. A window should appear saying "Installed product key XXXXX successfully."
- Type slmgr.vbs /ato and press ↵ Enter. A window should appear saying "Activating Windows(R) Your Edition". After a moment, if activation was successful, it will say "Product activated successfully".
4
Call Microsoft if you still can't activate. If you are still having activation issues, you can call the Microsoft automated activation service. To find the number for your area, press ⊞ Win+R and type slui 4. This will open the window with the contact information as well as your installation ID.
- Make sure to copy down the installation ID, as you will need to enter it over the phone. It's long, but necessary to identify your computer.^{[1]
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Question

My computer does not have a win+R key. Is there a different key I can press?

Community Answer

Win+R is referring to two different keys. Hold down the key with the Windows logo on it (near the bottom, with the icon of four squares grouped into a larger square) and then press the "R" key at the same time.

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How do I install Windows 8.1 for free?

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Follow the tips here to activate and install it for free.

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How do I get a Windows 8.1 Pro activation code?

Community Answer

Very easy. Just search "Windows 8.1 Product Keys" on Google. This cheat is so popular now that even Google publishes it. The list will display a lot of operating systems. Look for the Windows 8.1 Pro OS, and you'll see a key on the right.

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Tips

Product keys are already included in the Windows 8.1 package. If you already have yours, you don't need to install one using the command prompt.

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Product keys can only be used on a limited number of computers. If you've reached the maximum number of computers, the key will be detected invalid.

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This article is written only for tutorial purposes. Always purchase and activate genuine Windows 8.1 OS to avoid software issues.

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