Upgrade to Windows 8 with only a product key

If you bought Windows 8 and you have a Windows 8 product key, you can download and install it from this page.

Before you begin:

• Make sure you’re on the PC you want to upgrade. This must be a PC that is currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview. (Windows 8 Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.)
• Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order information, in the confirmation email for your purchase, or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
  XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX
• Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.

Warning

• Don't format your hard drive before installing Windows 8. Your current version of Windows must be running when you begin installing Windows 8.

When you’re ready, click Install Windows 8 to start upgrading this PC.

Install Windows 8

Note

• If you can't find your product key, check your online order information, confirmation email, or DVD packaging. If you bought Windows 8 via the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, you can also look up your product key.
• If you're having trouble activating Windows, see Why can't I activate Windows?