HP 2000-2202TU Notebook PC came with preinstalled windows 8 but now i forgot that key

[shreykum]

Hi,

My PC came with preistalled windows 8, I tried to upgrade but it fails in the middle and now i want to install fresh windows 8 using the key that came with. There was no label on the laptop mentioning the key.

Do you guys have any idea how do i recover that key either from hp or from microsoft...

[iomare]

Hi,

The key should be in the firmware. So, if you clean install Windows 8 if asked for key click on do not have key. Once installed and connected to internet it should automatically activate.

If you ever upgraded to Windows 10, you can install and it will automatically activate once installed.

Hope it helps,

David

[shreykum]

1. Windows 8 bootable iso does not come officially from microsoft now, only windows 8.1 is available.

2. When i try to install windows 8.1, it does not go after enter key screen unless there is some valid key given to it.

How do i fix it !!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @shreykum 

Here is how to clean install W8.1 by using the W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'Standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

When you get to the screen that asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the hard drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space. Click Next, and W8.1 should begin to install.

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-2000-Notebook-PC-series/5296207/model/5305475