how to know preinstalled os activation key

[anurodh225]

I have a hp pro 3330 micro tower which came with preinstalled Windows 8.1. Yesterday due to some reason i formatted my hdd and while doing so Reserved storage were also erased. Now when i installed 8.1 it asks for product key..
So where to find it..
I don't have any recovery DVD or anything similar..

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The W8.1 product key should be in the BIOS.

I have zipped up and attached a free utility that should give you the OEM product key in the BIOS.

Not sure why you need it though, as the key should have automatically been inserted when you installed W8.1.

[mdklassen]

> I don't have any recovery DVD.

I looked at: https://support.hp.com/ca-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pro-3330-microtower-pc/5160080

and that site does NOT offer to sell you a copy of the System Recovery DVD for 64-bit Windows 8.

Some people say to try:  www.ComputerSurgeons.com

to see if they have it for purchase.

> when I installed 8.1 ...

Did you use the "system recovery" partition on the disk-drive, or did you use your own "retail" Windows 8.1 DVD media?

[anurodh225]

>" when I installed 8.1 ...



Did you use the "system recovery" partition on the disk-drive, or did you use your own "retail" Windows 8.1 DVD media?"
As i already stated, i had formatted my HDD and my system recovery partition were also erased...

[anurodh225]

I also wonder why it asked as i have downloaded via link generated by microsoft support site..
Although hp support asked for ₹600 to provide with the cd and key..
No hard feelings for hp or ms since your suggestions sloved my problem... Hurray 😃