How to recover Win10 Key (free upgrade from 8.1) ?


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    How to recover Win10 Key (free upgrade from 8.1) ?


    Hello,

    My laptop was victim of a virus that destroyed some register files and even System Restore could not fix it. My only choice is to format the hdd and reset to the OS in the chip which is Win 8, but I had already upgraded to Win 10. How can I recover my Win 10 Key so I can reinstall and activate Win 10?

    Thanks / Arturo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,780
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    There is no free key. If your computer came with Windows 8.x, the key is in the bios. If you wish to install from the iso, do the install without activation, then once you get into the GUI, then do the activation and it will go through.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    bro67 said:
    There is no free key. If your computer came with Windows 8.x, the key is in the bios. If you wish to install from the iso, do the install without activation, then once you get into the GUI, then do the activation and it will go through.
    Thank you. So I can do a clean install directly from the iso, and then it will just activate by itself?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    Tarconis said:
    Thank you. So I can do a clean install directly from the iso, and then it will just activate by itself?
    Yes, it will automatically activate once you go on the Internet.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,463
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 64 bit
       #5

    Actually since you upgraded to W10 your computer now has a digital license for W10 stored with MS. Just install W10 and if it asks for a key just "skip" it and it will auto activate.


    Jim
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9,780
    Mac OS Catalina
       #6

    Tarconis said:
    Thank you. So I can do a clean install directly from the iso, and then it will just activate by itself?
    Yes, for as many times as you want.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,480
    Windows10
       #7

    bro67 said:
    There is no free key. If your computer came with Windows 8.x, the key is in the bios. If you wish to install from the iso, do the install without activation, then once you get into the GUI, then do the activation and it will go through.
    This is only partly true. The 8.x key is only used to verify you had a valid qualifying key. Once upgraded, the OP gets a digital licence. It is this that causes it to reactivate each time not original 8 key. If it was the 8 key, then it would no longer do it as free period has (officially) ended.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    bro67 said:
    Yes, for as many times as you want.
    Thanks very much! It activated fine alright!
      My Computer


 

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