Windows Reactivation

[Steven34]

I have a very old HP ENVY Recline that's been out of warranty since 2015. The PC came with Windows pre-installed on it. Around 2014, I got a motherboard replacement from HP, but I didn't use the PC since. I've just started using it now but it seems I lost my Windows 8.1 key and I don't have any documentation except for the statement of work back from when the motherboard was replaced. After multiple calls to microsoft and hp support, I ended up here. Is there any way for me to recover Windows without having to pay for a whole new key?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Starting with all PC's that shipped with W8 and newer from the factory, Microsoft has mandated that all PC manufacturers put the Windows product key in the BIOS.

So in the event of a motherboard failure and replacement, the repair shop has to make sure they order a replacement motherboard that includes the Windows product key.

There are motherboards without a Windows product key for models that come with FreeDOS.

So...if Windows is asking to be activated, one of two things is possible...

1. You just need to change the product key in your current Windows installation to the new key in the BIOS.

2.  HP installed the motherboard without the product key.  The part numbers would be different to denote with or without a Windows product key.

I have zipped up and attached a free utility below, that will show you the Windows product key in the PC's BIOS, if one exists.

If it does, change the key to the one the Showkey Plus utility reports in the PC Settings menu.

If it doesn't, I suggest that you contact HP, and ask them to please send you a W8.1 product key so that you can activate your Windows installation, since the error was on their part by installing a replacement motherboard that did not include the Windows product key as it should have.