Windows 8.1 disappeared completely from system after Win 10 install
10 years ago
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- 10 years agolast modified: 10 years agoUser thanked Richard (Vero Beach, Florida)
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Windows 8.1 product key
Comments (13)Owbist and azbound... Following your advice, I had Belarc do a computer profile summary of my laptop. I do see a product key listed with this endnote: "e. This may be the manufacturer's factory installed product key rather than yours. You can change it to your product key using the procedure at http://www.belarc.com/msproductkeys.html." I followed the link to change my product key, but alas, the operating systems listed only went to Windows 7. I've been on google for an hour and can only find dead links on how to do this in Win 8.1. Laptop was purchased online BestBuy so I doubt the store will help me. I will check their site or contact the store today if I get the chance. How big an issue is this if I leave what seems to be the factory installed product key as is?...See MoreWin 8 upgrading to Win 10?
Comments (17)Thanks for the responses. We have a Win8 sitting on a shelf collecting dust for 2 years. Never use it anymore. We also have 4 XP's and a Win 7. I've used Win 7 (hubbys machine), but prefer XP. I don't know if I'm resistant to change, I like to think I'm not. But I think Win 8 is dumb and would take me a lot of time to navigate it. I've used it. Did not try classic shell. Hate all the icons and not finding the frequently used places hidden. I don't like the disappearing tool bars. I just think its dumb and regret ever buying it. I don't see any reason for MS to change things around which takes precious time to figure out. Things like Add/Remove, various other settings...it all takes time out of your life to play around when you have work to do. You can buy a new car, it might have added extras and new things which take time to learn. But, no matter what car it is, when you open the door, put the key in the ignition, move the transmission to D, it goes. You can drive around and worry about learning the 'extras' later. You can press on the gas pedal and it goes. To have to learn another operating system and where MS decided to hide things, call them by other names is ridiculous. Same with their Office Programs. They are expensive and complicated to use. Yet they change them around ever few weeks. Why? I do a lot of work on my computers. I don't like having to learn all over again when I have things to do. I didn't like Visa at all, but had to deal with it. I kept my XP because I had Office 07 and I could put together a bunch of letters and newsletter quickly. I gave Vista away and went back to XP exclusively. I wonder if Apple changes their Macs every 3 years? Have no idea but am getting tempted to take a look at their computers. That's my rant, sorry if I seem to be the only one who is very upset with Microsoft for all this nonsense. Jane...See Morewin10 and windows defender
Comments (8)I have never had a virus until I started prepping for W10. When I start downloading my software, I got something that locked up my toolbar, safesearch I think and wajam. I did a system restore, then a friend told me it was still in restore and told me how to get rid of it there. Later I picked up a virus with no name, it just had gen in the name with other stuff. It froze my Avast and my PC. I waited a few minutes and I was able to use IE. Downloaded Adware cleaner and that took care of the second one....See Morewin8.1 connection problems
Comments (9)Firmware for router has been installed 3 months ago. Router and signal tested last week by service provider. I have never had to use a password to get online and do not have a guest network. Win10 was installed last Aug. and removed 8 days later. The computer was nearly unusable for me and my hubby also started to have problems opening mail, facebook, calendar and using Cortana. I am second user signed in to this computer, I used Cortana for 4 days and it quit completely, I could not open my mail and was forced to use online mailbox of service provider. My calendar would not open nor would people app for email addresses. After all that, I read the same complaints from over 400 people on M$ site with no clear fixes. I tried 2 of them, spent over 2 1/2 hours on phone with tech help. Then I removed the Win10. I have read that there is an update to "supposedly" fix those issues. I would like to be able to rely on my internet connection before reinstalling Win10. I would be most grateful if I had some places to check to find out how to solve the connections. My router is plugged into cpu by Ethernet cable. I open the pc settings and enable the wifi. Later, I will see on my phone or computer screen that wifi has been lost. The wifi seems to "connect" and "disconnect" at will. I have no idea why this is. I will be on a web page and use a link to read an article when I get the page that reads, "this page cannot be displayed". I then click on "fix connection problems" which brings up Windows Network Diagnostics. It may "reset the Ethernet adapter" and I close the page, and the page I had clicked the link for comes up. It may happen again right away, then resets the Ethernet adapter once again. Or network diagnostics may say the "Ethernet does not have valid IP address". I cannot find where that is. Even if I did, I have no idea what information I would need to know to make the correct change. Tia...See More- 10 years ago
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