Finding Microsoft Windows 8.1 product key

[troubleduserAZ]

Hi,

I have Microsoft Windows 8.1 preinstalled on HP ProBook 450 G1. My windows is currently not booting up and I would like to recover the windows product key. On contacting the Microsoft officials, they informed that product key is only obtainable from HP customer service. Can you help me obtain the key?

Since windows it not bootable key finder programs are not able to run.

Thanks,

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I'm surprised the Microsoft guys don't even know how their own product key system works.

Ever since W8 came out, Microsoft requires that all PC manufacturers (Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), install the Windows product key in the BIOS.

You do not need the product key to reinstall W8 or newer.

I'm assuming your PC came with W8.1 Pro from HP...

Here's how you reinstall W8.1:

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 Pro 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

Only if you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 Pro:

XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8.1 Pro key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8.1 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or usb flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-probook-450-g1-notebook-pc/5405421