Activate new version of windows 8

You will need an OEM copy of Windows 8 from Dell in order for it to pick up the embedded license key -- any other copy of 8 will require the purchase of a new license.  If you're planning on installing Windows 10 anyway, you can also install the TH2 release of 10, which will also pick up the embedded activation key.

Identify What Edition of Windows 10

(1)(2)(3)

(4)(5)

(6)

1. A Device with Windows 10 Home OEM or Windows 10 Home Single Language OEM preinstalled. Unfortunately Microsoft don’t distinguish between these Editions. A Device with Windows 10 Home N OEM may have the same sticker but I have never seen a Device with this Edition preinstalled.
2. A Device with Windows 8 (Home) OEM, Windows 8.1 (Home) OEM preinstalled. These Devices have Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Home. Alternatively a Device with Windows 8 (Home) Single Language OEM or Windows 8.1 (Home) Single Language OEM preinstalled. These Devices have Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Home Single Language. Unfortunately Microsoft don’t distinguish between these Editions. A Device with Windows 8 (Home) N OEM or Windows 8.1 (Home) N OEM with Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Home N may have the same sticker but I have never seen a Device with this Edition preinstalled.
3. A Device with Windows 8.1 (Home) with Bing OEM preinstalled which has Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Home. Alternatively a Device with Windows 8.1 (Home) Single Language with Bing OEM preinstalled which has Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Home Single Language. Unfortunately Microsoft don’t distinguish between these Editions.
4. A Device with Windows 10 Pro OEM preinstalled. A Device with Windows 10 Pro N OEM may have the same sticker but I have never seen a Device with this Edition preinstalled.
5. A Device with Windows 8 Pro OEM, Windows 8.1 Pro OEM preinstalled. These Devices have Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Pro. A Device with Windows 8 Pro N OEM or Windows 8.1 Pro N OEM with Digital Entitlement to Windows 10 Pro N may have the same sticker but I have never seen a Device with this Edition preinstalled.
6. For Devices which came preinstalled with Windows 7 you will need to input the sticker on the COA during installation which should be affixed to your system. To prevent COA fading the COA is likely in the battery compartment of Laptops and inside the computer cover of Desktops. Use your smartphone to take a picture of it before installation.

For UEFI BIOS Embedded OEM System Locked Preinstallation Keys stickers (1)-(5). Microsoft hasn't made a clear distinction between the different Home Editions or different Pro Editions.

(A) For Windows 8/8.1/10 OEM the Windows 10 TH2 installation media will automatically input your UEFI BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Key during installation provided you have the correct Edition selected.

(B) If you are installing the wrong Edition you will be asked for a key….

If you skip the product key you will install the wrong Edition and experience Microsoft Product Activation issues… As a rule of thumb if your system cannot boot and you cannot determine your preinstalled Edition follow the steps:

• Try to boot with the Windows 10 TH2 .iso (containing the Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro Edition). If you are taken to the license agreement screen you have the correct Edition (A).
• If you are asked for a product key (B), abort installation and repeat with the Windows 10 Single Language TH2 .iso. If you are taken to the license agreement screen (A) you have the correct Edition.
• If you are asked for a product key (B), abort installation and repeat with the Windows 10 N TH2 .iso (containing the Windows 10 Home N and Windows 10 Pro N Edition). If you are taken to the license agreement screen (A) you have the correct Edition.
• If neither of the 3 .isos work you don’t have a UEFI BIOS Embedded SLP key (B).

Nicely done :-)    I have the #2 sticker "Windows 8".

What I am seeing is that my Windows 8.1 Pro may not be necessary and I can go to Windows 10 on the new/empty solid state drive..  

So what do I need to do to get the ISO files?

Will I need to purchase any licenses?

Thank you for your quick and informative reply.

Richard

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

We are looking good.  I created a USB install and did a fresh install (deleted all partitions and formatted the drive), the install took like 3 minutes.  Windows 10 Home is activated.  Thanks to all for the well detailed replies to help me get this done.

Some questions:

1 - did the USB install check the existing OEM key on the firmware, then use that to create a Product key, and then activate it?  Using a viewer I see the OEM key and the product key are different...

2 - since this PC started out with a Win 8 Home version and if I then wished to put a fresh Win 10 PRO version on it, what would I have to do?

Again, thanks for all.

Richard

1 - did the USB install check the existing OEM key on the firmware, then use that to create a Product key, and then activate it?  Using a viewer I see the OEM key and the product key are different... 2 - since this PC started out with a Win 8 Home version and if I then wished to put a fresh Win 10 PRO version on it, what would I have to do?

1. Essentially Windows 10 installation media was updated and now treats Windows 7 and Windows 8.x product keys in an identical manner to Windows 10 product keys.

2. Since the Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro Edition are on the same .iso. This .iso automatically picks up the Windows 10 Home (compatible) product key and automatically installs and activates Windows 10 Home giving no option to select Pro. You need to use change key. If it doesn't accept your Windows 8.1 Product key to change Edition to Windows 10 Pro directly then you will need to use the generic key VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T which allows change of Edition but not product activation. After the Edition is changed to Pro, use Change key again and input your Windows 8.1 Pro product key. This should make your system a Windows 10 Pro Device.

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/#hometopro

And here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0glz_CgHTeI&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr&index=8

Thanks for the details I will keep this handy..  I may keep this one as Home since it may not require the features, we'll see.

But - I just picked up 2 refurbished Dell 990 i7 PCs.  They have Windows 7 Pro on them, but, I have to clone the SATA drive to a new solid state drive first.  Any cloning software favorites?  Can I use the same ISO posted by ieee488 to turn it from Win 7 Pro directly to Win 10 Pro?  Thank you!

The Windows 10 .iso contains both Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home so you should be able to use the same media for both.

OK will try and post how it goes.

Thank you.