• ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Windows update impacting certain printer icons and names. Microsoft is working on a solution.
    Click here to learn more
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
We have new content about Hotkey issue, Click here to check it out!
Check out our WINDOWS 11 Support Center info about: OPTIMIZATION, KNOWN ISSUES, FAQs, VIDEOS AND MORE.
HP Recommended
HP 255 G5

Hi

I have a client that brought in their hp laptop that was not booting up. After testing we found the drive had crashe .  We need to replace the driv .  How would we find the OS the laptop had as well as the CD key to activate windows.  Laptop is a HP 255 G5. 

1 REPLY 1
HP Recommended

Hi:

 

Some models came with W10 and the product key is in the BIOS.

 

Some models came with FreeDOS and the user supplies their own operating system.

 

The only suggestion I can offer would be to use the Microsoft media creation tool to create a bootable installation USB drive, and install W10.  I would try W10 Pro first, since it is a business-class notebook.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

If the PC came with W10, then the installation media should work, install W10, and automatically activate.

 

If it does not activate, use the free utility that I zipped up and attached below, that will show you what version of W10 the product key is good for, and you can install that version instead.

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.