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I just bought an HP ultrabook running Windows 8 with no installation media. I also bought an SSD hard drive.

My plan was to install windows 8 on the SSD I purchased. Without any installation media provided with my laptop purchase however, I can't install windows 8 onto my SSD. (I don't even have a cd drive if they gave me a CD).

I managed to retrieve my product key using Belarc Advisor. And have confirmed it to be correct by verifying the last set of characters found in Control Panel > System > Activation

Where can I download a copy of Windows 8 64 bit edition? That is the version of windows installed on my laptop. I can only find references to purchase another copy of windows for $100+ on the internet... which I shouldn't have to do, since I already own a valid Windows 8 license.

Kevin Panko
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darkAsPitch
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2 Answers2

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This a grey area because you bought a branded PC with windows installed under an OEM license. An OEM license dictates that the software installed should not leave the original hardware. I say grey area because I don't consider changing a harddrive "leaving the hardware" but it technically is. So without possessing the install media (yes I know that's what your looking for >_< but short of a torrent it's not that simple, especially if you want it for free) the only option you are left with is cloning the partition (ghosting the harddrive).

As a work around you could use a live cd such as Clonezilla to clone the OS onto your other drive (you might have to resize it first). I know this isn't optimal. It also might give you guff about not being a genuine copy.

Also note that you can't just get any Windows 8 install disc as it is not a retail key, you need one that works with the specific OEM key you posses.

hwshadow
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Just clone the hard drive over to the ssd, then install ssd and your computer will work as the same. They sell a kit at Microcenter or even Amazon. I have done it two or three times, no problem

Larry
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