Problem HP pc

[T_12]

I purchased a desktop pc from HP in 2017. The pc never ever worked properly and always had a fault.

I tried to upgrade the operating system that came with it but have never been able to find the microsoft windows 8.1 product key number.  It was not on a sticker on the PC. It was not on the packing box.  It is not suck to or on any sticker on the PC or inside the PC.  I eventaully found today the original invoice ond order from HP back in 2017.. I can not try to upgrade the operating system without it. I have now been trying on and off to do this upgrade for about 4 years but due to time and problems can't do it.  can microsoft help in supplying this windows 8.1 product key number... OR  tell me where it is hidden with, in, or one the PC..  This is a disgrace as 18months after purchasing this I contacted microsoft who denied any sale of this PC to me... Thank you T  I am not a PC buff and very limited in knowhow, I don;t even know if this is an HP site.  Considering over my time I have owned approx 8 HP pCs and printers the help I have received from HP is very little.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Microsoft has required all PC manufacturers to encrypt the Windows product key in the PC's BIOS.

Product key stickers ended when Windows 8 came out in 2012.

You do not need a product key to reinstall W8.1.

If you want to view the product key your PC came with, you can install the free ShowkeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.

ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Store Apps

If you want to upgrade to W10 you can download the latest W10 ISO file from the link below and use the free Rufus utility to transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

The link will be good for 24 hours from the time of this reply.

https://software.download.prss.microsoft.com/dbazure/Win10_22H2_EnglishInternational_x64.iso?t=990da...

After Rufus creates the bootable USB W10 flash drive, do not boot from it.

Open the flash drive in Windows Explorer, and double click to run the Setup application you see in the list of files to begin the upgrade process to W10.