My Product Key


  1. Posts : 16
    windows 10
       #1

    My Product Key


    I have hit another roadblock in my marathon two-day attempt to restore the laptop that Windows 10 destroyed. I do not have the product key for the device, so cannot even revert to Windows 8.1. The product key is not shown in the Amazon purchase listing for the device, and I long ago lost the paperwork. Is there any way I can look it up (keeping in mind of course that the device itself is utterly unusable in its current state)?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    If it doesn't have a key on the bottom, then it is stored in the BIOS. If you install Windows 10 or 8.1, the license will be picked up during the install.

    Windows 10 doesn't destroy computers. You likely had issues or incompatibilities, so the upgrade didn't get applied properly. Most of us would tell you that a clean install of 10 fixes all of that. But, if you must roll back, a clean install of 8.1 should do the same.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It is demanding a product code before installing. It will not allow me to install without a product code.

    And I must beg to differ. I had a perfectly usable laptop until Microsoft delivered its latest Windows 10 update. Now it does not even boot up. Microsoft broke my computer.

    DeaconFrost said:
    If it doesn't have a key on the bottom, then it is stored in the BIOS. If you install Windows 10 or 8.1, the license will be picked up during the install.

    Windows 10 doesn't destroy computers. You likely had issues or incompatibilities, so the upgrade didn't get applied properly. Most of us would tell you that a clean install of 10 fixes all of that. But, if you must roll back, a clean install of 8.1 should do the same.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    CarolKopp said:
    And I must beg to differ. I had a perfectly usable laptop until Microsoft delivered its latest Windows 10 update. Now it does not even boot up. Microsoft broke my computer.
    I am really hoping we don't have to rehash this yet again. To understand the industry and technology is to understand why it isn't Microsoft's fault. Besides, using common sense, if Windows 10 was at fault, we would all have issues. Instead, I, as are many others, are rolling out Windows 10 on a corporate scale because of how well it works.

    As for your issue, you may be trying to install a different version than what you are licensed for, ie, Home vs Pro. If you have that correct, then you need to check the computer, such as underneath the battery on a laptop for a COA sticker.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    CarolKopp said:
    I have hit another roadblock in my marathon two-day attempt to restore the laptop that Windows 10 destroyed. I do not have the product key for the device, so cannot even revert to Windows 8.1. The product key is not shown in the Amazon purchase listing for the device, and I long ago lost the paperwork. Is there any way I can look it up (keeping in mind of course that the device itself is utterly unusable in its current state)?
    You can create a bootable USB, DVD or CD of Kyhi's recovery drive:
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    Boot the computer from that and it contains Superfly's Showkey Plus utility which will display any product keys stored in bios/UEFI and what version of Windows the product key is for:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    As mentioned, use showkey to determine what version of Windows your OEM key is for, then download the correct install media. The most likely reason your getting prompted for a key is your trying to install the wrong version. Home Single Language when it should be Home or vise versa. The download listed as just "Windows 10" in the Media Creation Tool is multi edition and can install Home or Pro. Many people when looking for 10 Home, download the 10 Home Single language version, that version will not accept 10 Home keys.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #7

    alphanumeric said:
    The most likely reason your getting prompted for a key is your trying to install the wrong version.
    Not really true. It will ask for a key if it can't find one. I always get asked to enter key as I don't have one stored in BIOS. If you install in a VM with no key in BIOS it will also always ask you to enter a key. If it can find a key in BIOS it will automatically use it - it will therefore install Home if that is what you had on Windows 8 for example even if you have subsequently upgraded to 10 Pro.

    If you have previously installed and activated Windows 10 then just click on "I don't have a key" and it will activate when it connects to the internet. If you install the wrong version and click on "I don't have a key" then it will not activate and you'll have to re-install using the correct installation media.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #8

    lx07 said:
    Not really true. It will ask for a key if it can't find one. I always get asked to enter key as I don't have one stored in BIOS. If you install in a VM with no key in BIOS it will also always ask you to enter a key. If it can find a key in BIOS it will automatically use it - it will therefore install Home if that is what you had on Windows 8 for example even if you have subsequently upgraded to 10 Pro.

    If you have previously installed and activated Windows 10 then just click on "I don't have a key" and it will activate when it connects to the internet. If you install the wrong version and click on "I don't have a key" then it will not activate and you'll have to re-install using the correct installation media.
    True, and a valid point, that is a posibility. But from what I see in the first post, the PC came with Windows 8.1 preinstalled. Odds are it has an OEM embedded key. showkey will confirm that if so.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,453
       #9

    AFAIK, a key is not needed - it should give the option for Home or Pro at first - if an OEM key is not detected - once the edition is selected it's default key will be used. I will need to test this theory tho'...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #10

    Superfly said:
    AFAIK, a key is not needed - it should give the option for Home or Pro at first - if an OEM key is not detected - once the edition is selected it's default key will be used. I will need to test this theory tho'...
    Yeah, if you click the "I don't have a key", may not be the exact wording, something like that, you will then be asked to select the edition to install. I'm pretty sure it asks for the key first though? Not 100% sure though. I hardly ever do stock installs these days. Not on my on PC's anyway.
      My Computer


 

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