If you need to reinstall Windows 8 OEM on a new hard drive, whether it’s due to a failed drive or a fresh installation, the process is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to reinstall Windows 8 OEM on a new hard drive:
Create a Windows 8 Installation Media
The first step is to create a Windows 8 installation media, either a USB drive or a DVD. You can download the Windows 8.1 ISO file from the Microsoft website and use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create the installation media.
Make sure to select the correct language, edition (Windows 8.1 Core, Pro, etc.), and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) when creating the installation media.
Boot from the Installation Media
Once you have the installation media ready, insert it into your laptop and boot from it. You may need to change the boot order in your laptop’s BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from the USB drive or DVD.
To access the BIOS/UEFI settings, you typically need to press a specific key (such as F2, F12, or Del) during the boot process.
Install Windows 8 on the New Hard Drive
After booting from the installation media, follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 8 on your new hard drive. The installation process will guide you through partitioning the drive, formatting it, and copying the necessary files.
During the installation process, you may be prompted to enter a product key. However, since you have an OEM version of Windows 8, the product key is embedded in your laptop’s BIOS/UEFI. The installation process should automatically detect and use this key, so you typically don’t need to enter it manually.
If the installation process doesn’t automatically detect the product key, you can try activating Windows 8 by phone or using the Microsoft Product Activation Center.
Activate Windows 8
After the installation process is complete, Windows 8 should automatically activate itself using the product key embedded in your laptop’s BIOS/UEFI. If it doesn’t, you can follow the steps to activate Windows 8 by phone or using the Microsoft Product Activation Center.
Once Windows 8 is activated, you can proceed to set up your laptop and restore your data from the backup you created earlier.