How to Activate Windows 8.1 Enterprise with Windows 8 Enterprise MAK?

I bumped into this problem when being assigned to deal with the activation of Windows 8.1 Enterprise.

There are around 6 notebooks in my team, and they seldom connect to corporation network so are essentially isolated from our KMS server. Therefore we used to install Windows 8 Enterprise and activate these Windows 8's with an Enterprise MAK. However, These Windows 8 are going to be upgraded to Windows 8.1 Enterprise but my team is not given the MAK of Windows 8.1 Enterprise. Hence I am going to activate the Windows 8.1 Enterprise with my existing Windows 8 Enterprise MAK.

To the best of my knowledge, there are 3 ways to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1:

  1. Install Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8.1 DVD.
  2. Install Windows 8 first, and upgrade to 8.1 through an Upgrade ISO.
  3. Install Windows 8 first, and upgrade to 8.1 through Windows Marketplace.

I tried method 1 and 2 and found the Windows 8 MAK does not apply to Windows 8.1, in which slmgr -ipk would fail. Method 3 requires a full installation of all available Windows Updates first so I did not try it yet. I wonder if there is any possibility to activate the Windows 8.1 Enterprise with a Windows 8 Enterprise MAK. Any reply would be appreciated.

By the way, my corporation do purchase the Software Assurance. I cannot get the 8.1 MAK due to management issue.

April 18th, 2015 2:57am

Seems like it is illegal issue if management is against upgrade ;-)

I do not think that this is a right way for Enterprise edition. New install is tyhe only option. There are some workaround on Internet, but these are not according to official upgrade path.

Every multilicense program has its program administrator that could either help or can elevate problem to MS support services.

M.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
April 18th, 2015 9:47am

Seems like it is illegal issue if management is against upgrade ;-)

I do not think that this is a right way for Enterprise edition. New install is tyhe only option. There are some workaround on Internet, but these are not according to official upgrade path.

Every multilicense program has its program administrator that could either help or can elevate problem to MS support services.

M.

April 18th, 2015 1:42pm

Seems like it is illegal issue if management is against upgrade ;-)

I do not think that this is a right way for Enterprise edition. New install is tyhe only option. There are some workaround on Internet, but these are not according to official upgrade path.

Every multilicense program has its program administrator that could either help or can elevate problem to MS support services.

M.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
April 18th, 2015 1:42pm

Hello,

Windows 8.1 requires a Windows 8.1 MAK key, it will not work with a Windows 8 MAK key.

You can upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 but you will need to supply it with a Windows 8.1 MAK key.

April 20th, 2015 9:01pm

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