I screwed up my 8.0 install a bit (messed registry hard, office is not working, office setup controller crashes :good, and found that I can't shrink my OS partition, because reasons. (seems that some unmovable system files are at the end of partition, diskpart shows that I can shrink about 30gigs, but even 10 fails). I decided to play with OS on VHD. 8.0 works as usual, every "desktop" guide apply here, but it's known that upgrade to 8.1 throws an error that it's impossible to install it on VHD.
It's also known as being not true, as on desktop people are attaching this vdisk to virtual machine, running upgrade, and after booting real machine from it... well, it works. But there's no ARM VM to do that - still I think there's other way to do it.
Seems that very recent version of dism tool from leaked 8.1 2014 upgrade supports ESD files. So what I'm thinking about is upgrading image directly using it, on desktop.
But I'm looking for a way to obtain ESD file. When I started upgrade from Windows Store, in \Windows\Software Distribution\Downloads I found only .exe file responsible for upgrade, but not .esd itself. Any hints where it's located? Or anyone can share it?
Ok, found them unencrypted in c:\$Windows.~BT (hidden folder). Oh, it contains full Windows 8.1 installer. Full means really full. From USB Recovery (as when trying from running OS it complains that boot.wim is missing) I can run classic "Windows Setup", it even asks me for CD-Key
Now it's time to install 8.2 x64 on VM to play with this .esd image.
Okay, so some of us were in this boat. You have to reinstall Windows on your nice little Surface Pro tablet. But sadly you don't have a recovery partition or a flash drive! So what are you supposed to do?
Well, first you ask Microsoft support. That does not go well: they tell you to send them your Surface. But that's not really a good option - to lose your tablet for two weeks over a software problem? That's just not fair!
So, next, you try googling for help. But all you ever find are similar unanswered pleas for help, which usually end up being either unanswered or closed by moderators.
But fear not, as you CAN solve this, and you don't even need to do crazy things like making your own recovery image, or downloading one from weird Chinese sites.
----
HOW TO REINSTALL WINDOWS 8.1 ON YOUR SURFACE PRO WITHOUT A RECOVERY PARTITION/USB
Step 1.
Obtain a Windows 8.1 ISO. I can't tell you where to obtain one, but it is not a hard task.
The flavor Surface Pro uses is Windows 8.1 Pro x64. I used the EN-US version, as I have an American Surface, so I can't verify how other languages will work.
Step 2.
Burn that ISO to a USB drive. I suggest using Rufus for that: http://rufus.akeo.ie/
Step 3.
Boot your Surface from the USB drive.
To do that, hold the volume down button when turning on your Surface
Step 4.
Install Windows 8.1.
Step 4.5.
It will ask you for an install key, and might not accept your real Surface key. The reason for that is that the installer for Windows 8.1 does not accept Windows 8.0 keys (and your Surface might have one of those).
To proceed with installation, you will need this install key:
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This key is for installation only. IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WINDOWS.
Step 5.
After installing the OS, you'll notice that it's not behaving quite right, for example, there are 4 rows of tiles on the start screen instead of three.
Go to Windows Update, and install everything.
Step 5.5.
If you installed with the install key, use this utility to get the original Windows key: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/30363-Windows-8-Product-Key-Viewer
Choose the "MSDM" option, copy that key, and activate Windows with it.
Step 6.
Enjoy your happily recovered Surface.
----
So there. That was a little guide on how to recover a Surface Pro without a recovery drive. I was in this situation myself recently, and Microsoft offered me to send my Surface to them - which would've cost me $200, as I live in a different country from the one my Surface came from, and also would've meant living without my tablet for a month or even longer. So I just fixed it all myself.
A lot of people seem to be posting in that other recovery thread, so I'm just gonna make this visible again.
Only one question, do I need a keyboard or mouse for that?
Cause I've got only wireless mouse and original type cover, which does not work for some reason, and that's why I want reinstall windows.
I think it should pop up the on-screen keyboard if you use touch.
Anyone else did this process and got the Surface Pro 2 back to "out of the box" state?
touch screen
has anyone of you got the issue with the touch controller? and after the windows reinstall did it come back?
regards
Worked perfect
Worked perfect on a MS Surface Pro 1, with windows 8.1 Pro install USB, no keyboard or mouse needed.
Thank you! :good:
Thanks a heap for this guide, thought my Surface was done for.
For those unable to boot normally into Windows, holding VolKeyDown + Power while the unit is off will force the unit to boot from removable storage (doesn't have to be a USB Stick, you can plug in any kind of bootable media, including a USB DVD-ROM).
Have fun!
Can this works for Surface Pro 2
westjgames said:
Thanks a heap for this guide, thought my Surface was done for.
For those unable to boot normally into Windows, holding VolKeyDown + Power while the unit is off will force the unit to boot from removable storage (doesn't have to be a USB Stick, you can plug in any kind of bootable media, including a USB DVD-ROM).
Have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Can this method work for surface pro 2?
syahchrono said:
Hi,
Can this method work for surface pro 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna try this now on my Surface Pro 2 because I got one with only scandinavian languages and I'm from Germany ^^ Will report back!
# UPDATE #
Worked perfectly fine
question
I just installed the latest Firmware / Drivers MS has pushed through Windows Update,
and i would like to refresh my Surface Pro 2 to get a clean install.
- First thing i did was create a bootable usb drive using Microsofts new 'Create Installation Media Tool'
. I selected 'Windows 8.1 Pro x64' in my native language which is Dutch.
The tool created a bootable USB stick, which i haven't tried yet.. before i continue i have some questions;
....
1. I copied my recovery image to a USB stick and deleted the recovery partition.
- If i reinstall Windows can i still use the recovery usb in case something goes wrong during the installation, or is it linked to your current installation?
2. Would Windows automatically recognize the serial number, which i believe is stored in the BIOS / UEFI, and activate Windows? I've written down the serial using the tool mentioned in the OP to be on the safe side.
3. Like i mentioned before, i installed the lastest driver / firmware package, will Windows automatically install the latest drivers after installation or first install more basic drivers to get WiFi up and running and then install the latest drivers?
4. When you install new driver / firmware software will Windows automatically update the then older drivers in the recovery image?
I've read the previous posts saying that everything went smoothly, but i just want to make sure i'm not forgetting anything..
i have a Surface Pro 2 btw!
koffiemelk said:
I just installed the latest Firmware / Drivers MS has pushed through Windows Update,
and i would like to refresh my Surface Pro 2 to get a clean install.
- First thing i did was create a bootable usb drive using Microsofts new 'Create Installation Media Tool'
. I selected 'Windows 8.1 Pro x64' in my native language which is Dutch.
The tool created a bootable USB stick, which i haven't tried yet.. before i continue i have some questions;
....
1. I copied my recovery image to a USB stick and deleted the recovery partition.
- If i reinstall Windows can i still use the recovery usb in case something goes wrong during the installation, or is it linked to your current installation?
2. Would Windows automatically recognize the serial number, which i believe is stored in the BIOS / UEFI, and activate Windows? I've written down the serial using the tool mentioned in the OP to be on the safe side.
3. Like i mentioned before, i installed the lastest driver / firmware package, will Windows automatically install the latest drivers after installation or first install more basic drivers to get WiFi up and running and then install the latest drivers?
4. When you install new driver / firmware software will Windows automatically update the then older drivers in the recovery image?
I've read the previous posts saying that everything went smoothly, but i just want to make sure i'm not forgetting anything..
i have a Surface Pro 2 btw!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1:I have no idea
2: Yes it will, I have a surface pro 1 and it was activated automatically, so i didnt had to do anything with my serial. (on a new windows 8.1 install)
3: Yes it will, but you can always install them manually (doesn't really matter unless there are issues with drivers).
4: Dont know (dont think so). (I havent ever uses a recovery installation ever, i always install everything manually back on .
Hi together,
I did the steps and everything went fine. But I had to disable secure boot at first.
Now, after the isntallation of Windows 8.1, I activated it again and reinstalled the default keys. Is this the way it is meant?
Or do I need to leave it disabled?
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
thrain2
So I have a question.
I removed my recovery partition to regain the space.
Does your method reformat the drive and repartition everything? Will it reinstall the recovery partition?
I remember all former windows os installations I've done allowed me to format the drive and clear the partitions and then either create new ones myself or use the blank disk. Win7 would (on a blank disk) create it's recovery partition.
So I went ahead and did it.
To anyone looking to do this, use the official media creation tool. It's free from Microsoft and extremely simple.
I didn't have to disable secure boot or anything, just hold down the volume and power button with the USB plugged in.
The installer let me delete all my existing partitions and it automatically created only the ones needed.
It never asked for a key and was activated correctly when I booted into widows.
I found the installer created 3 total partitions on it's own.
1st a 300mb empty partition which I believe is supposed to be for windows RE and required by bit locker.
2nd a 100mb partition containing an EFI folder.
Note: these two aren't supposed to be accessible, I did special mounting to check them out.
3rd the rest of my disk space was created for my system partition
I'm mostly happy with this.
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
iXNyNe said:
So I went ahead and did it.
To anyone looking to do this, use the official media creation tool. It's free from Microsoft and extremely simple.
I didn't have to disable secure boot or anything, just hold down the volume and power button with the USB plugged in.
The installer let me delete all my existing partitions and it automatically created only the ones needed.
It never asked for a key and was activated correctly when I booted into widows.
I found the installer created 3 total partitions on it's own.
1st a 300mb empty partition which I believe is supposed to be for windows RE and required by bit locker.
2nd a 100mb partition containing an EFI folder.
Note: these two aren't supposed to be accessible, I did special mounting to check them out.
3rd the rest of my disk space was created for my system partition
I'm mostly happy with this.
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this.good
Anyone tested this yet with a surface 3 or surface 3 pro?
Tried this with my Surface 3, which is stuck currently on Win10 10074, and the install key didn't work.
It works
I used the freeware ISO2Disc to burn a Windows 10 ISO file to my USB drive and I can then reinstall successfully. Remember to choose GPT partition style as Surface Pro can boot in UEFI mode only.
iXNyNe said:
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did basically the same, reinstall a clean Windows on my Surface pro 3, but can not turn on bit locker, too. Have you figured out, how to solve this issue?
I just installed the latest Firmware / Drivers MS has pushed through Windows Update,
and i would like to do a clean install so no older driver remnants are left behind and maybe create a separate partition to store data.
- First thing i did was create a bootable usb drive using Microsofts new 'Create Installation Media Tool', I selected 'Windows 8.1 Pro x64' in my native language which is Dutch.
- Then I copied my recovery image to a USB stick and deleted the recovery partition.
Before i continue i still have a few questions and i hope someone here can answer them.
-----
1. If i reinstall Windows can i still use the recovery usb and restore Windows in case something goes wrong during the (clean) installation or does the recovery only work
when the initial installation is untouched?
2. Will Windows automatically recognize the serial number, which i believe is stored in the BIOS / UEFI, and activate Windows?
3. If i do a clean install will Windows recognize and install the wifi adapter or do i need to manually download and install the latest drivers?
First off all: why do you want to re install? There will always be some remnants of old files, but windows does a relatively good job at deleting those (and they don't do any harm). Unless something doesn't work, i wouldn't re-install.
Oh, and you can create a secondary partition without re installing windows. Just re size your current windows partition.
But to answer your questions:
1. Yes, the recovery stick will still work. It even works when the SSD has been wiped.
2. It should activate automatically, but if you want to be sure, you can find your product key with the magical jellybean Keyfinder ( https://www.magicaljellybean.com/downloads/KeyFinderInstaller.exe )
3. Since Surface is a first party Microsoft product, i'd bet they automatically install the drivers.
Hi there,
There was a previous discussion on installing other systems on the Nextbook NXW8QC16G (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2956409)
This is specifically installing Windows 10 on this unit.
The latest build of Windows 10 build 10041 works great.
I backed up drivers from Windows 8 using Double Drive 4.1.
I created a system restore disk on a USB stick.
Used Rufus to format usb stick, to FAT32 , for the Windows 10 install, but had to avoid adding the image to the rufus tool as it kept changing the format of the USB stick to NTFS(the UEFI boot doesn't seem to be able to boot from). Manually copied the contents of the ISO to the memory stick and installed Windows 10.
Once in Windows 10, I installed all drivers except the display and network drivers (when I did on previous installs, i would end up with an endless boot).
Rebooted, attached a usb Wifi dongle, ran Windows updates, rebooted, and all, including touch and built in wifi work perfectly.
I am willing to do a driver dump of the current setup if anyone wants to avoid the Windows updates, or doesn't have a USB dongle to get the drivers updated.
Everything seems to be working brilliantly
I would love to have a driver dump for this device.. my friend has 2 of them and her sons have wrecked them.. I got windows reinstalled and was able to get everything but the touchscreen working again
I would also LOVE a dump as my daughter bought 2 of these for my grand-kids for Xmas, and they have ruined them! Thanks!!!
YaBoyRobD said:
I would also LOVE a dump as my daughter bought 2 of these for my grand-kids for Xmas, and they have ruined them! Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found that the drivers for the HP stream 7 seem to work for these devices. as well
awesome sir, I shall look for them now, and thanks in advance for you assistance!
rancidbob said:
Hi there,
There was a previous discussion on installing other systems on the Nextbook NXW8QC16G (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2956409)
This is specifically installing Windows 10 on this unit.
The latest build of Windows 10 build 10041 works great.
I backed up drivers from Windows 8 using Double Drive 4.1.
I created a system restore disk on a USB stick.
Used Rufus to format usb stick, to FAT32 , for the Windows 10 install, but had to avoid adding the image to the rufus tool as it kept changing the format of the USB stick to NTFS(the UEFI boot doesn't seem to be able to boot from). Manually copied the contents of the ISO to the memory stick and installed Windows 10.
Once in Windows 10, I installed all drivers except the display and network drivers (when I did on previous installs, i would end up with an endless boot).
Rebooted, attached a usb Wifi dongle, ran Windows updates, rebooted, and all, including touch and built in wifi work perfectly.
I am willing to do a driver dump of the current setup if anyone wants to avoid the Windows updates, or doesn't have a USB dongle to get the drivers updated.
Everything seems to be working brilliantly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good day.
Have you tried this with the latest insider preview build? Do you know if the drivers work out of the box yet?
Also, can you please provide a driver dump for me?
Regards,
Ganralf
I have successfully installed Windows 10 build 10074 on my 8" 16GB Nextbook tablet, model NXW8QC16G
You can find the drivers and some other tips on this thread: answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_install/installing-windows-10-on-the-nextbook-101-that-is/18a49db3-ad1e-4232-aa44-547409a27518
I posted the following information for what I had to change to get it working on my tablet:
The only problem was that the orientation was off by 90 degrees (display would be portrait while tablet is in landscape mode)
I found a small change int he registry file fixed it for me:
"Orientation"=hex:01,01,00,00,01,01,02
Note the order of the numbers.
Hope this helps people that want to install Win10 on their 8" tablets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does any one have a bios bin for this nextbook
I have an Ellipsis 7 which has an option to fake being a CD-ROM and the drivers are there in the tablet to install. I'm attempting to get it to work with Windows XP, due to the drivers being old and not signed with the method acceptable to any Windows version after Vista.
Well, the MTP driver *does not work*. Install fails. The PTP driver does work but of course only provides access to the DCIM folder in internal memory. Turn on USB debugging and Android Composite Device driver installs, MTP driver still fails.
Is there a universal MTP driver or at least one that works with all Quanta manufactured devices? The driverpacks used by Snappy Driver Installer and others don't include MTP drivers that work with this tablet. Install fails.
Since nobody ever saw fit to create any custom ROMs for this tablet, I just want to root it then remove obsolete apps like Google+ and if I can, give it a permanent upgrade on the Google Apps like the play store. It took ages before it gave up on insisting it could only download anything by using the nonexistent Verizon cell connection. Once it gave up and decided to use WiFi it was updated in a few minutes.
The hardware itself isn't bad, it was the crippled install of 4.2.2 (the 4.4.2 update is less bad) Verizon gave it, with *no file manager* of any sort other than access to the Downloads folder in internal storage. Also the defective MTP driver with apparently no update/fix released didn't help. That's why it *should have* gotten some love from someone to get a clean install of Android 5, to thumb noses at Verizon.