• ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
Are you having HotKey issues? Click here for tips and tricks.
Check out our WINDOWS 11 Support Center info about: OPTIMIZATION, KNOWN ISSUES, FAQs, VIDEOS AND MORE.
HP Recommended
Pavilion 500 pc
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

I bought this PC at least 7 years ago. It had windows 8 and has been through all the upgrades and was 10.1, but was really bogging down. So, we backed up our files and I RESET the PC. It is back up but reverted back to 8 and I can't find a product key to get it activated and upgraded back to 10.1. I can't find the original discs that have the sticker. I have tried the BIOS reading and it says nothing. Microsoft said I need to contact MFGer to get the original KEY, then they can help me. How do I get the Key, or get ahold of a human at HP that can give me the key by the serial number?

2 REPLIES 2
HP Recommended

Hello
once again, I don't understand microsoft's recommendation.
All professionals must know that the product key, since Windows 8 is registered, in the bios, nobody can give it.
There are software that can recover it.
That said, there is no need to have the key, normally to install windows 10, it is clearly written at microsoft!

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activate

 

--------------------------------------------- Signature ---------------------------------------------
was this reply helpful , or just say thank you ? Click on the yes button

Please remember to mark the answers this can help other users
please click on the accept as solution button if message provided an answer to the problem




Desktop-Knowledge-Base
Windows 11 22h2 inside , user

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP Recommended

@SDG78 

The problem you're running into is that the Win10 in-place upgrade has a history of corrupting the HP recovery information so even though the PC might look like is restored OK, in fact, there will be troubles and some stuff is simply not going to work properly.

 

It is likely to need a complete reinstall from Win10 media, not just the manual entry of a product key, to get it working again.

 

But if you want to try the second, you should be able to get the key using this utility:  ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums

 

Once you have the key, you can then try manually entering it using the link that @Prométhée provided you.



I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.