Windows 8.1 Adding the PID.txt

1. Introduction

This guide is mainly obsolete. It was frequently followed due to previous mistakes Microsoft made with Windows 8.1 "Edition" installation media in the fact that Windows 8.1 "Edition" media rejected Windows 8.0 "Edition" product keys. Adding a generic key as a PID or inputting it during installation allowed one to bypass the product key screen and install Windows 8.1 "Edition" saving the horrendous procedure of updating via the Windows Store. After installation the product key could be changed to the Windows 8 "Edition" key. If the key was OEM it could be extracted using RWEverything and then going to Acess → ACPI Tables.

The Media Creation Tool now allows for a Windows 8.1 "Edition" with Update 1 fixes most of the previous issues and is explained in great detail here:

If you are trying this with an OEM key; the Media Creation Tool creates a Windows 8.1 with Update 1 .iso that will automatically accept the UEFI BIOS Embedded SLP key when the correct Edition of .iso is used. It will accept both Windows 8.0 "Edition" OEM and Windows 8.1 "Edition" OEM product keys. The keys are seen as equivalent by the Media Creation Tool. Where "Edition":

Windows 8.1 = Windows 8
Windows 8.1 Single Language = Windows 8 Single Language
Windows 8.1N = Windows 8N
Windows 8.1 Professional = Windows 8 Professional
Windows 8.1 ProfessionalN = Windows 8 ProfessionalN

Do not follow the rest of this guide for an OEM product key as it is unecessary.

Each .iso automatically has an EI.cfg applied and is locked to a certain "Edition" and will not select a product key from another "Edition".

These .isos are recommended and the creation of a Bootable USB is recommended.

2. Adding the correct EI.cfg and PID.txt will prevent the bootable USB asking for a Product Key During Installation

I will illustrate this using a generic key. The generic keys allow for installation but not product activation. If you use a genuine retail product key it will be automatically input and product activation if eligible.

  • Windows 8.1=334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1N=6NPQ8-PK64X-W4WMM-MF84V-RGB89
  • Windows 8.1 Single Language=Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
  • Windows 8.1 Professional=XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8.1 Professional N=JRBBN-4Q997-H4RM2-H3B7W-Q68KC
  • Windows 8.1 Professional with Media Centre=GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT

Open up notepad and type in the following:

[PID]
Value=Key

Where key is your retail key in the form xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx or the generic keys above. e.g.

Professional

Ignore the EI.cfg its not requireD with the up to date .isos which are Edition locked. Inputting the PID actually Edition locks the older .iso anyway.

In the sources folder copy both the PID.txt:

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12 thoughts on “Windows 8.1 Adding the PID.txt

  1. HI philipyip, I have a pre-installed OEM version embedded,I checked already in bios the key.i got it. Now I want to know please which one from bottom is the OEM version ? is first one 8.1 core Home edition shell I putt the key from bios motherboard for a clean install, it will work? and how I should change channel with OEM edition ,what do I need to replace? edition Core in OEM ? Channel Retail in OEM ?VL needs to be VL? thank you in advance

  2. Creation of Recovery Media with Dell Backup and Recovery!!
    Can you do one Creation of Recovery Media Backup and Recovery with Toshiba same like how you have done with your dell? is one program HDD recovery wizzard from factrory ,I have never find that program app. This one wich you have use for dell it will also work for Toshiba or any laptop to create the factory backup? thank you>

    1. Dell Backup and Recovery will only work on Dell hardware. I have little non-Dell hardware and in all the cases where it is non-Dell it is generic custom built PCs not made by another OEM. I have far less experience with other computer manufacturers utilities to make recovery media than I do with Dell. We have also left alot of feedback for the Dell Backup and Recovery program. It took some time but Dell have implemented much of this feedback making Dell Backup and Recovery a really great utility.

      Toshiba have their equivalent, some details of it are mentioned here:
      http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/TSB2A03ES0000R01.htm
      http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/TSB2A03ES0000R01.htm
      Their guides aren't as in depth as my tutorial videos however and I do not recommend making DVDs but USB media for UEFI and SecureBoot.

  3. what i write in ei.cfg for my windows 8 single language and what is the correct format….please reply me immediately

  4. Can I do a clean installation of the system, starting from scratch? The portable computer is new in ASUS, and installed with window 8.1 of 64 bits, in 6 partitions on the disk, and has secure boot UEFI.

  5. what i write in ei.cfg for my windows 8 single language and what is the correct format….please reply me immediately. It came preinstalled on my viao laptop. I have downloaded the iso. What should i do next. Plz help me

    1. Don't use an ei.cfg for an OEM key. The UEFI BIOS Embedded SLP key will be input automatically during installation.

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