New
#21
It can't retrieve that product key if it isn't in your computer in bios or registry or from a registry hive contained in a backup file, it's not magical. Some manufacturers have special product keys that they use to activate factory loads of software that will be different from those keys printed on the COA labels. Those keys will only activate Windows when it is installed by the manufacturer or from manufacturer provided restore disks. Maybe that is where the product key in question came from. Since the manufacturer activated Windows 8 legitimately, Windows 10 upgrade would also activate - but only as an upgrade from the installed Windows 8 - not from the manufacturer's product key by itself.