Can HP retrieve Windows product keys from registered products?

[smellincoffee]

I experienced a hard disk error on a relatively new product which I purchased in December as a Christmas gift, and registered promptly.  A week past the warranty, the device fell over on its side and thereafter would not recognize the hard disk drive.   Because data cables are secure I assume the disk itself is compromised, and  hae been shopping for a replacement disk. I already have a Windows recovery flash drive prepped, but I realized last night that I couldn't find an activation code sticker or anything on the computer. I  know how to retrieve this from a system that will boot, but this one obviously won't.  Since the product is registered,  does HP have that information in their records? 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The W10 product key is in the BIOS, so you won't need it to reinstall W10.

Microsoft discontinued the use of windows product key stickers when W8 was released.

Since then, all of the product keys are in the BIOS in an effort to stop the illegal use of OEM product keys on other PC's.

After you install W10, if you would like to view the product key in the BIOS, I have zipped up and attached below, a free utility that will show you the W10 product key.

[smellincoffee]

Sweet! Thank you. 🙂 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[WAWood]

@smellincoffee

While @Paul_Tikkanen did provide you a link to a very useful utility, this link is to the forums where they maintain that tool -- and if you use it, you will find the latest version there: https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkeyplus.html

Good Luck

[smellincoffee]

Thank you for that additional information, WAWood.  🙂

And everyone,  I'm posting this now from the afflicted computer. Installed a new HDD and installed Windows on it with no problems at all. 🙂