DESKTOP PC MISSING WINDOWS 11 PRODUCT KEY STICKER

[WALKINHAUS]

I HAVE REQUESTED HELP FROM TWO SOURCES IN HP SUPPORT OVER PAST TWO WEEKS.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

This is a peer-to-peer forum, not HP support.

We do not work for or represent PC.

If your PC came from HP with W11 installed, the product key is encrypted in your PC's BIOS.

You don't need to have or know the product key to reinstall Windows.

It has been that way since 2012 when Windows 8 was released to market.

The last operating system that had a product key sticker from a PC manufacturer was Windows 7.

[WALKINHAUS]

HP ENVY TE020-0250xt Desktop (to be specific)  I may never need the product key, & if I do, HP will not provide it.  My Grandson, Kyle, suggested using the Belarc Advisor App download.  I now have the Product Key, Thanks to Kyle.

[WALKINHAUS]

Paul T.  Thanks for the reply. I used the Community Forum after posting two queries with HP Support.  Your History of Product Key issuanace will save me some grief when I buy another HP in 2032.

My previous HP computer purchase was January of 2011, Win 7. The old HP still has the product key on the cover.  In May of 2021, I ordered Win 10 from Microsoft (via Best Buy); it came inside a thumbdrive and the Product Key was on a creditcard like document in the same package.  My expectations are limited to my experiences, which aren't much.

I did find finally find the Win 11 Product Key. My Grandson suggested the Belarc App.  So, I now have a piece of information I may never need, but never say never.

Walkinhaus

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You can also install the Showkey Plus app from the Microsoft Store that provides the Windows product key info.

ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Store Apps

That's what I use.