Check to see if a computer has been previously upgraded to Windows 10

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Check to see if a computer has been previously upgraded to Windows 10


    Hi all

    I have a burning question that I have not been able to find an answer to...

    How do I find out if a computer has been previously upgraded to Windows 10 from 7/8/8.1 and has a digital licence (after it has been restored to the original OS)?

    I've been in touch with Microsoft and their support is less than convincing.

    (Long story short, I have bought a job lot of laptops that have been restored to factory settings. Before I sell them on, it would be nice to have them running on Windows 10 for free (if they were upgraded by the original owners and subsequently have a digital licence, requiring no product key.) I don't want to install Windows 10 from scratch to find out I cannot activate it and I have deleted the old Windows OS installation and recovery partition).

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    thecritter99 said:
    I don't want to install Windows 10 from scratch to find out I cannot activate it and I have deleted the old Windows OS installation and recovery partition.
    Welcome to TenForums @thecritter99

    You could swap out the hard drive for a blank one and try a clean install on that. However, recent reports are that MS is still activating upgrades for free, despite the offer officially having ended. For how much longer is anyone's guess...
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4,131
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #3

    since any digital license is stored on MS activation server - one would have to install windows 10
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 659
    10 preview 64bit
       #4

    Hi 99,
    As youve factory reset them,

    try this little checker compliments of Superfly
    not optomistic thou

    https://github.com/Superfly-Inc/Show...howKeyPlus.zip


    Roy
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks both for your replies. Am I right in thinking the licenses are embedded in the system BIOS for activation/verification purposes (and then validated with the activation server?) It would be very useful to detect if a digital licence is embedded in the BIOS's of my machines, although I suspect this is not possible!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    hawkman said:
    Hi 99,
    As youve factory reset them,

    try this little checker compliments of Superfly
    not optomistic thou

    https://github.com/Superfly-Inc/Show...howKeyPlus.zip


    Roy
    Roy, MASSIVE thanks for that - I think that is what I am after. I guess I am looking for an OEM key? Will play around with it and see if I can work out if the OEM keys are Windows 10 related.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #7

    thecritter99 said:
    Will play around with it and see if I can work out if the OEM keys are Windows 10 related.
    More useful info here...

    If you bought a new PC running Windows, the product key will be included in the firmware in the case of Windows 8 or 10 - or as an OEM marker, in the case of Windows Vista or Windows 7
    ShowKeyPlus
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 4,131
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #8

    Kyhi said:
    since any digital license is stored on MS activation server - one would have to install windows 10
    showkey will show oem key or oem marker - not prior windows 10 activation, if windows 10 removed
    Unless it came with windows 10
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Kyhi said:
    showkey will show oem key or oem marker - not prior windows 10 activation, if windows 10 removed
    Unless it came with windows 10
    Makes perfect sense. I guess Microsoft are the only ones who possess such information. Am I right?

    (Unless of course there is some way of seeking out the digital licence from the BIOS or whatever a Windows 10 upgrade leaves behind that the Microsoft activation server detects)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,131
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #10

    MS uses a Hardware Hash for the PC to record activation
    Nothing to find on PC itself - only OEM marker, put there by OEM

    what you looking for is just NOT there
      My Computer


 

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