How do I obtain my licence Key once my laptop ks dead.

[Alexx23]

I want to replace my motherboard since it died and I would like to get a licence key/product key so I can re activate my laptop once I fix it. How do I get it? Little label with it was under my laptop and it fell off years ago. 

[NonSequitur777]

@Alexx23,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Since each HP motherboard typically has its own unique Windows key embedded in the BIOS/UEFI firmware, replacing your motherboard may affect Windows activation. Here’s what you need to know:

1. If you replace the motherboard with an identical HP part (same model and part number)

   • The new motherboard will have a different embedded key. Windows may not automatically activate, and you might need to reactivate manually.

2. If you replace it with a different HP motherboard (different part number)

   • The embedded key will be different, and Windows will likely fail to activate unless you originally had a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.

3. If you install a third-party (non-HP) motherboard

   • Windows will not activate automatically, and you’ll need to purchase a new Windows license.

 

How to retrieve your original key (if the old motherboard still powers on):

• Open Command Prompt (Admin) and enter:
  wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
  • If a key appears, save it -you may be able to use it for reactivation. This worked for me, but results may differ.

 

If Windows doesn’t activate after replacement:

• If your license was linked to a Microsoft account, log in and go to:
  Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot to attempt reactivation.
• If that fails, contact Microsoft Support and explain that you replaced a faulty motherboard. They might grant reactivation.
• If none of the above works, you may need to purchase a new license.

Let me know if you need more details! 😊

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Alexx231]

Thanks for the reply. I can not turn my computer on to retrieve the license key, do you know if there is a way to do it if I pull HD out or some other way?

[NonSequitur777]

@Alexx231,

Since your computer won’t turn on, retrieving the embedded Windows key from the motherboard directly won’t be possible. However, here are a few alternative ways to recover or reactivate Windows:

1. Checking for a Digital License:

Hopefully, your Windows license was linked to a Microsoft account. If so, you can try this:

1. On another PC, go to Microsoft Account Devices
2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used on your old PC.
3. Check if your previous device appears.
4. If it does, you should be able to reactivate Windows once the motherboard is replaced by signing in and running the Activation Troubleshooter under:
   Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot

 

2. Retrieving the Key from the Hard Drive (If Windows Was Installed with a Product Key):

If Windows was installed using a retail or OEM key (not a digital license), the key may be stored in the registry on your hard drive. You can try recovering it by:

1. Connecting the hard drive to another working Windows PC as a secondary drive.
2. Using a free tool like ProduKey (by NirSoft) or ShowKeyPlus to scan the old Windows installation for the key.
   • ProduKey: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
   • ShowKeyPlus: Available on the Microsoft Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pkvzcprx9nv?hl=en-US&gl=US.
3. Look for the Windows key and save it for reactivation.

 

3. What If You Can’t Retrieve the Key?

• If your system originally came with Windows 10 or 11 preinstalled by HP, then the activation key was embedded in the motherboard firmware and is lost with the dead board. In that case, you will likely need to contact Microsoft Support to explain the situation, and they may allow reactivation.
• If you had a retail Windows license (not OEM), you can reuse the same key after replacing the motherboard.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Alexx23]

Thanks for the help. Will try these options and see what happens. 

[NonSequitur777]

@Alexx23,

Please do, and please follow up how things went.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777