How to get the Windows product key for a "HP ENVY m6-k010dx Sleekbook” lap top.

[Lap_Top_Owner]

My computer came from HP with Windows 8.  Microsoft updated it to Windows 10.  A Windows 10 update failed and locked up my computer. I had to reset the computer to factory.

To activate the factory Windows 8, I have to re-register Windows.  I am asked for a product key.  It tells several locations where to look on the computer to locate the product key, however it is not to be found. 

I contacted Microsoft and they say acquiring the product key is a HP issue, HP says it is a Microsoft issue . . . however  HP Support says their "solution" is for me to pay them to retrieve the code that is “embedded” in the computer.

From an earlier posting of someone else having a similar issue with a Windows product key, I went to this site (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html) and downloaded a program that retrieved “a” Windows 8 product key.

The program did retrieve the Product Key, however when I enter it I get a message "The product key you have entered appears to be a default product key and cannot be used for activation".

Any ideas how I can find my “real” product key? Your consideration is appreciated!

[ieee488]

You could have simply rolled back the Windows 10 update.

The problem for you is that Microsoft on their end now associates your laptop with Windows 10.

That information is in the UEFI/BIOS.

The product key you retrieve won't do you any good anyway.

[banhien]

Hi,
 
The key is in the BIOS of your machine, please use the following tool to get it:

   http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

When run this tool, it produces a report, scroll down to Software Management section. Windows 8, 8.1 or 10  product key is in there.

You can also use the following tool to find out:

  https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Regards,

[Lap_Top_Owner]

It would not allow me to roll back to Windows 10.

Any ideas on how I can move forward to activate Windows 8 or Windows 10?

[banhien]

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@Lap_Top_Owner wrote:

It would not allow me to roll back to Windows 10.

Any ideas on how I can move forward to activate Windows 8 or Windows 10?

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@Lap_Top_Owner

Have you checked the key using my reply above ? Is it Windows 10 key or Windows 8 key ?

Regards.

[ieee488]

Windows 10 should have been activated when you updated to it.

You could give Windows 10 one more try by doing a clean install. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-media-creation-tool-create-installation-media-upgrade

[Lap_Top_Owner]

Currently Windows 8.1 is installed.

It says Windows 8.1

It would not allow me to activate Windows 8, but would allow an update to windows 8.1, I hoped it would "forget" the activate issue, but it did not.

[banhien]

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@Lap_Top_Owner wrote:

Currently Windows 8.1 is installed....

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Hi,

You have NOT read my reply. I need to know what is the key embedded in BIOS now. No need to post the full key.

Regards.

[Lap_Top_Owner]

I appreciate your help. I installed http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html . It tells me:

Microsoft - Windows 8.1 (x64) . . . . xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-AA516 (Key: none activated)

When I go to settings, it is looking for a format of: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx .

[ieee488 · Accepted solution]

I am not sure that Belarc is able to read the product key you need which is in the BIOS/UEFI.

https://itsolutionsblog.net/3-ways-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key/