Reinstalling the pre-installed Win 8.1 without losing the license. Maybe?

Question

linux

In early October, I purchased a laptop from Lenovo with Win 8.1 on board. Since I like Linux more, but Win, unfortunately, is needed, I decided to file it with a second system. When partitioning the disk, I found that in addition to the standard 4 Win partitions, there are some 4 more that carry the devil in themselves what functions.
Sticking Linux 3 times (first for the Ubuntu test, then Kali 2 - I didn’t like it), I found that Grub could not be installed, and no methods for installing it separately helped. When booting, the Ubuntu grub is launched in BASH mode and that's it! There was a desire to format everything to hell and install Windows and Linux from the very beginning on my own.
And now the question itself. Well, I'll format the disk, Windows is needed. And you don't want to lose your license. Is there a way to reinstall Win 8.1 without losing the license, given that it is a pre-installed system. (It looks like there are some problems.)

Answer 1

Your license key is protected in the BIOS. When you install the system of the desired version, it will activate itself.
In addition, the key can be obtained.

Answer 2

If you're so worried, make a disk image with something like Clonezilla or Acronis True Image.
In general, Ivan said everything correctly.

Answer 3

If the hidden " some 4 that carry the devil will figure out what functions " you do not need (and the functions there are as follows: 150 ... 300 megabytes is a system UEFI bootloader, 15 ... 20 gigabytes is a Windows distribution kit with using the vendor's utilities), then you can really " format everything to hell " and repartition the HDD in the usual style. Solving the same problem, I at one time demolished everything related to UEFI and partitioned the disk into the usual two or three MBR partitions (you must not forget to make the appropriate switch in the BIOS, it is useful to enable AHCI at the same time).
As for the loss of the license, I put the same version of Windows on the disk repartitioned in this way (most often Home-Windows for one language there), taking it from the MS website, then substituted my activation key for it, and it activated without problems. If the key is unknown (the sticker is missing, worn out or dirty to the point of being unreadable), then it can be recognized from the original Windows before it was demolished, using a utility like productkeyexplorer.

Answer 4

I recommend reading the article:
dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-window...
The article is useful if you need to restore licensed Win 8 on a laptop.
For myself, I found answers to the questions:

• How to determine the edition of the pre-installed OEM Win8 by the color of the sticker.
  
• How to prepare and download an image for the desired edition.
  
• how to scratch windows license key
  

Answer 5

if you didn’t touch the keys and certificates in the rum, then during installation the eight will be automatically activated (if, again, there is no limited modification). if not, then through the recovery (see instructions from the manufacturer) raise the system in its original state, tweak / delete what you want and / or save the entire image of the screw without twisting / deleting. then do whatever you want with your patient.
there is another option:
1. raise the system in its original state, twist / delete what you want and / or without twisting / deleting make a backup of the screw entirely.
2. Using the Microsoft utility, create a Windows 10 installation flash drive/DVD for your computer.
make a copy of it.
3. Install with screw re-shoveling as you please. tweak/delete whatever you want - make a backup
4. shove Linux from above. twist / delete whatever you want - make a backup.
5. pervert with ready-made axes as you like, because you have backups!
P.S. Maxim Kovalenko gave a useful link dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-window...
P.P.S. do not forget to make backups of your perversions.
P.P.P.S. there is a third solution to the problem:
joshcellsoftwares.com/products/advancedtokensmanager
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
We peep the key with one soft, and backup the activation with the other, which we then palm off.
in general, a lot of ways actually, but do not forget to back up!