A Stupid Question About Windows 10 Product Keys

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  1. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
    Thread Starter
       #21

    So then why do so many people that are using preview versions of Windows 10 all use the same product key? They are listed here at the forum, on various blogs and at Microsoft sites as well. But yet I use a key finder and find out that my Windows 10 product key is vastly different than any that I have seen before. That might not mean anything in the big picture of life, but I am curious.
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  2. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #22

    Rocky said:
    So then why do so many people that are using preview versions of Windows 10 all use the same product key? They are listed here at the forum, on various blogs and at Microsoft sites as well. But yet I use a key finder and find out that my Windows 10 product key is vastly different than any that I have seen before. That might not mean anything in the big picture of life, but I am curious.
    Because its still only the Preview (Beta) version. Everybody that clean installed 10 Home likely has the same key, same deal if you clean installed 10 Pro. Upgrades are yet another key, likely depending on what you upgraded from. Windows 7 may get you one key and an upgrade from Windows 8 another. All these keys are time limited and will expire at some point and they will not be activated anymore. Do the free upgrade on the 29th and I bet you get a key that nobody else has. That will be your official key and the one you would use to clean install with later on. Microsoft isn't going to get carried away with generating a ton of special individual keys just for a preview. Especially if they know your going to record them, and maybe try to reuse them latter on. I'm not saying you personally, just a "you" generally. because you know somebodies going to try it to see if they can cheat and get another free version of 10 for a PC that doesn't qualify. One running vista for example. I went from 10074 to 10240, updating to each new build on the way. My key changed 3 times in the process. That was 6, 7 or more updates, I've lost track now.
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  3. Posts : 97
    xp w7 w8.1 linux
       #23

    OEM Keys/licences


    I decided to check my 2 laptops bought at the same time both ASUS k53e I5 (his and her's) with Belarc Advisor.
    They automatically activated on first boot. Obviously key is embedded in the bios.
    They both have identical product licenses and keys:-
    key: 2QDBX-9T8HR-xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    license: 00359-OEM-8992687-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

    MS update to RTM/GP must surely have a different process when updating OEM systems.
    Should I update one to 10 they surely cant invalidate the key for use for 7 on the other or probably thousands of other ASUS laptops.
    Is there any definitive information around regarding OEM systems
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  4. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #24

    besb said:
    I decided to check my 2 laptops bought at the same time both ASUS k53e I5 (his and her's) with Belarc Advisor.
    They automatically activated on first boot. Obviously key is embedded in the bios.
    They both have identical product licenses and keys:-
    key: 2QDBX-9T8HR-xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    license: 00359-OEM-8992687-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

    MS update to RTM/GP must surely have a different process when updating OEM systems.
    Should I update one to 10 they surely cant invalidate the key for use for 7 on the other or probably thousands of other ASUS laptops.
    Is there any definitive information around regarding OEM systems
    If they are running Windows 7 factory OEM installs, the keys are not embedded in the BIOS. They are stored in the Windows registry. Only Windows 8 uses embedded keys, Windows 10 likely too. Microsoft will not be able to invalidate that key, like you said its in use by thousands of ASUS laptops of that same make and model. All the OEM's do it that way for Windows 7, Dell has their keys, HP theirs, etc. They will have a different key for each version of Windows 7 but will use that same key for every version of say Home premium they install. I have no idea how Microsoft will handle Windows 7 OEM installs. They may ask for the code on the COA sticker. That key will be unique to that PC its stuck to.
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  5. Posts : 97
    xp w7 w8.1 linux
       #25

    Alphanumeric - Thanks for the information, I had assumed it was embedded in the bios.
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  6. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #26

    besb said:
    Alphanumeric - Thanks for the information, I had assumed it was embedded in the bios.
    There is OEM info in the BIOS SLIC table but no actual Product code is stored there. The custom OEM install media determines what version of Windows 7 is installed and what key is entered/used. If you tried to use that code with normal install media it would fail activation. Even on those laptops. Its done that way on purpose. The code on the COA sticker is the one you use with regular non OEM install media, that's why its there.
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  7. Posts : 1,248
    Windows 10 Pro (Build 19043.1110)
       #27

    linw said:
    I also have had all sorts of keys that I didn't recognize! I am just quietly confidant that MS will sort out my system, updated from 8.1, come 29 Jul.

    Try Showkey as I think that is better at finding keys.
    Speccy will also show you the Windows product key.
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  8. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #28

    sgage said:
    Speccy will also show you the Windows product key.
    Yes but which key? The one embedded in the BIOS or the one Windows is currently using? For most people they will be the same key, but for some they will be different. Mine are different, and show key will show me both keys. What utility you use depends on what key your looking for.
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  9. Posts : 1,248
    Windows 10 Pro (Build 19043.1110)
       #29

    alphanumeric said:
    Yes but which key? The one embedded in the BIOS or the one Windows is currently using? For most people they will be the same key, but for some they will be different. Mine are different, and show key will show me both keys. What utility you use depends on what key your looking for.
    It must be the one Windows is currently using, because I'm running a full retail version (not an upgrade version) of Windows 7 that I clean installed in place of the OEM Vista the machine came with.
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  10. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #30

    sgage said:
    It must be the one Windows is currently using, because I'm running a full retail version (not an upgrade version) of Windows 7 that I clean installed in place of the OEM Vista the machine came with.
    Most of those utilities like majicjellybean etc pull the key from the Windows registry. That would be the current key in use. That's what most people want. The gotchas are if you upgraded to Pro in Windows 8 and your key gets blocked because you bought it on say ebay. Then you need the original non pro key to get legal again. Same thing can happen if you add Media Center and it fails activation. Those utilities will just show you your Media Center key. Showkey gets you all the keys. That's all I'm saying. It all depends on what your looking for.
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