Windows operating system serial key after laptop reboot

[Carpet23]

I have rebooted my Laptop because windows updates was using all my memory - but it is now saying that windows isn't activated. - so I want to activate the Windows 10 that is on the laptop when I bought it - but I don't know the serial key for Windows OS - how do I find that out please ?

[BeemerBiker]

The license is maintained by Microsoft.  Your files got corrupted or incomplete is the problem.  Try logging into your Microsoft account (click the sign in icon)

https://www.microsoft.com

You can find out what version you are running and compare to what the sticker on the system shows using ShowKeyPlus

Download it from the Microsoft Store.  If you are licensed for Windows Home but are running windows pro then yes, a license activation problem.

This third party site explains how to use DISM and SFC to repair your windows system.
How to use SFC or DISM to repair Windows

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, HP keeps no records of individual product keys associated with individual HP PCs. So, there is no way to get that information from HP.

But ...  the product key was encoded into the UEFI firmware of the motherboard at the factory.

You should then be able to use this utility to retrieve that key: http://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkey.html

[Carpet23]

Thank you so much - that was really helpful 🙂 

[Carpet23]

Thank you - it's sorted now.