I've just purchaed a new HP Laptop which comes with Windows 8.1. I'd like to use my MSDN subscriber key to upgrade this to 8.1 Enterprise without carrying out a new install or re-format. When I enter my new product key upon request into Windows, I simply get a message saying "This key won't work. Check it and try again or try a different key". The place i'm entering my new key is titled "Add features to Windows 8.1". Is there a way I can overcome this to upgrade to Enterprise? (A way which doesn't involve creating a windows.old directory ideally)

• Moved by Mike KinsmanMicrosoft contingent staff Wednesday, May 06, 2015 8:13 PM windows 8.1 installation/upgrade question
• Edited by Brandon RecordsModerator Wednesday, May 13, 2015 12:44 AM corrected title spelling

Mark,

I suppose you have Windows 8.1 Retail / OEM Edition pre-installed but not Single Language. 

Can you please tell me why you want to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Enterprise, because Windows 8.1 Enterprise is used in the Corporate environment, I am certain that if you upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro, it will suit your needs.

Thanks
prathaprabhu

• Proposed as answer by MeipoXuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator 23 hours 57 minutes ago

You need to perform an upgrade installation, not use add features. Put the MSDN installation media in the drive and run Setup.exe from in your current Windows 8.1 environment to start the upgrade.

Brandon
Windows Outreach Team- IT Pro
Windows for IT Pros on TechNet

• Proposed as answer by MeipoXuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator 23 hours 57 minutes ago
• Marked as answer by Nicolas BONNETMVP, Moderator 10 hours 41 minutes ago