Where can I find my Windows 10 key?

Jed Shields

Jed Shields

Jed Shields

Associate
Joined
23 Apr 2007
Posts
1,782
Location
Cardiff-ish, Wales
Hi guys,

I'm looking for the folder location for my Windows 10 key. My PC motherboard has died, so I've attached my OS hard drive to a second machine, I just need to know where to look.

Cheers,

Jed
 
when you install win 10 from clean installation you just tick or select i havent got a key.then when you go online it should activate automatically.if legit.at worst you should have to ring windows.
 
Hi,

If your copy of Windows was OEM licensed and you have changed hardware it may not activate as OEM copies are hardware bound which means you will have to buy a new copy of windows (retail)
 
the serial exists in the bios of the faulty mobo so you are stuck... Im pretty sure you cannot extract it from the HDD (id be interested to know if you can)

live with the error message ( I do) or buy a new copy of windows...

if your old PC had a w7 key there is a way forward (but I assume it does not as you did not say anything about it)
 
edscdk said:
the serial exists in the bios of the faulty mobo so you are stuck... Im pretty sure you cannot extract it from the HDD (id be interested to know if you can)
Click to expand...

This would be a breach of MS T&C's and would not be a genuine way of activating even if you did manage to get the key, Its OEM which means hardware bound.
 
Wizzkidy said:
This would be a breach of MS T&C's and would not be a genuine way of activating even if you did manage to get the key, Its OEM which means hardware bound.
Click to expand...
My understanding is that direct warranty replacements are exempt from this, but just sticking the drive in another computer doesn't count as a warranty replacement.

You can find the key from another drive by mounting the registry hive and pointing a tool at the loaded hive, but I'm not going to explain how. With Windows 10 I've no idea if this key would activate Windows though - as has been stated the true key is stored in the motherboard's firmware and would automatically activate.
 
If it is a warranty replacement of a dead motherboard then (via phone in IIRC) MS will usually reactivate an OEM key once for you - was the original system purchased with Windows 10 pre-installed? what gav said above could be useful but with Windows 10 things have changed a bit so getting a valid key to reactivate if you have no physical note of the key could be tricky.
 
there is a program called Speccy which will extract any licenses you have on your system. it works and is the best.

https://www.piriform.com/speccy

however this probably wont help the OP as your original motherboard has packed in. but worthwhile to use to backup all your licenses for further events***
 
Jed Shields said:
Thanks guys. I built the system myself, upgraded to Win 10 from Windows 8 that I purchased and have the key for.
Click to expand...
In that case I would try the 8 key in the 10 install and see if that works. The 10 key that product key finders will find will be the generic W10 upgrade key which is the same across all upgraded systems so won't activate the system.
 
You won't need to extract the product key if you're planning on replacing the failed motherboard as while the license would be tied to the original hardware, in cases like this you can replace the motherboard and go through a process in the existing install (more current versions of windows are more forgiving of motherboard changes and will replace the drivers) to move the license to the new motherboard and if you want to be 100% sure of not having any issues you can do a wipe of the hard drive and reinstall the OS from scratch.
 
Really sorry to hijack this thread, but i'm too embarrassed to start a new thread in case I am asking really stupid questions here...

So I have a legit copy of Win 7 Ultimate that I used on my last PC build and have subsequently upgraded to Win 10. Doing a new build now (son will get old PC) and I thought with Win 7 I could install this on up to 3 devices. When searching on whether this also is true of Win 10, it seems this is no longer the case? Can anyone please clarify this?

When l was looking into getting a new copy of Win 10, as well as the full blown c.£100 USB retail option, I came across Windows 10 Pro Activation Key for 32 / 64 Bit - DOWNLOAD Version on a rain forest site for under £10? I immediately thought this can't be legit, but there are 170+ positive reviews stating the keys work fine?

I'd obviously prefer not to pay £100, especially having bought Win 7 previously, but I also don't want to have issues with a dodgy version of Win 10.

Appreciate any/all advice!
 
ms are usually pretty laid back at activating windows for you, even if strictly speaking, you are in breach of the t&c. Just go though the motions and the phone service.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom