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    Clean install of WIndows (NOT Recovery) using Asus Product Key ?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ronsou, Oct 30, 2013.

  1. ronsou

    ronsou Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am considering a new Asus notebook, but I would like to do a CLEAN install of Windows, not a recovery. In the past when I have done this, I have had to go buy a full Windows product package to truly install from scratch. Is there a DVD set , download, etc to install Windows 8.x that will allow me to use the Windows Product Key that I get with the Asus notebook, saving me from the purchase of another license ? (Again, I am NOT looking to do a restore - I want to do a clean install, with no add on software, and configured in a very specific way.)

    Thank you.
     
    ronsou, Oct 30, 2013
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  2. ronsou

    ronsou Notebook Enthusiast

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    Given the lack of replies, I assume I need to acquire my own Windows setup DVD and pay for a new license. Can anyone confirm ?
     
    ronsou, Nov 2, 2013
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  3. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    I don't know how Windows 8 recovery DVD works, but with Windows 7 recovery disc I was provided I could to a normal clean install.
    Were you provided with any kind of recovery DVD?

    As for activation, you can try this:
    http://joshcellsoftwares.com/products/advancedtokensmanager/
    I personally use another programme, but as far as I know it doesn't support Windows 8.
     
    killkenny1, Nov 2, 2013
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  4. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Asus used to ship recovery discs that had only the OS on it and a separate driver disc, but those days are long gone.

    @OP: All you need is the install media, if you know someone with the disc for the right version of Windows just borrow that or if you have the .iso (not really easy to find for Windows 8), you could make a bootable disc or USB from it. You then activate with your key.
     
    tijo, Nov 2, 2013
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  5. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    Alternatively, if OP is a student, he/she could get it for free from the university.
     
    killkenny1, Nov 2, 2013
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  6. ronsou

    ronsou Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have not yet ever done a clean install of Windows 8.x. But when I have done it with Windows 7, it does not work quite like some of the responses. I used a retail Windows 7 DVD. But when I tried to use the product key that shipped with my laptop, it said I could not use a OEM product key with that version of Windows.

    Since I have not yet bought the new Asus, and am just investigating, I do not know what recovery discs, if any, it ships with.
     
    ronsou, Nov 5, 2013
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  7. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    In case of Windows 7 this software works like a charm:
    ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us
    I've used it a lot of time now, never had any problems.
     
    killkenny1, Nov 5, 2013
    #7