How do I turn on the computer without an activation key?

[vagelas13]

I have a crap and I want to give it to my daughter the windows that were 8.1 and upgraded to ten when I bought it had no activation key.When I want to give it and to form it how the girl will work it thank you

[IT_WinSec]

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@vagelas13 wrote:

I have a **** and I want to give it to my daughter the windows that were 8.1 and upgraded to ten when I bought it had no activation key.When I want to give it and to form it how the girl will work it thank you

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Hello @vagelas13 

Starting the computer is usually not related to Windows and its activation key. The PC model originally comes with original OEM Windows 10 preinstalled by HP. The Windows 10 activation key is bundled within the BIOS -> http://www.cnet.com/news/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys/

Could you please elaborate on these

• When did you first buy the PC ?
• When you initially upgraded the  PC to Win 10, was it activated successfully ?
• Was the upgrade part of Windows 10 free upgrade campaign ?
• Do you want to use Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 on this PC ?

Looking forward to your reply.

[vagelas13]

yes i want to install the win8.1 which originally had the computer but did not have the key  I bought the computer with 8.1 years before 5 years and obviously the key was in the box but I got the remediation tool

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @vagelas13 

They key is bundled into BIOS, not on a box. Please, read the article I posted link in my first reply above.

To restore Windows 8.1 now if you do not have bootable media, you you can use this free utility from Heidoc

>> https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%20ISO%20Downloader.exe

>> https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

The tool will download ISO images from Microsoft and has lots of options for many Windows versions including OEM. If you use it, be careful to select the correct Windows ISO for the OEM, x64 edition, Home edition or just 8.1

When download completes, you will need to write or "burn" the ISO image and boot from a bootable media. You need to use either 1 empty/blank USB pendrive (4 GB capacity or more) 

** How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

 instructions are just an example for Ubuntu, but you need to use the ISO image of Windows 8.1 which you will download by Heidoc. Use Rufus

When ready with the USB drive:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSN0qzXayUY

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive as a boot option.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 8.1 . Perform clean installation/custom installation (not repair).

Delete all existing partitions and install Windows on Disc 0 Unallocated space

- After successful Windows installation, install drivers taken from HP web site

- Make sure Windows is Activated by going to Start > Control Panel > System

Let me know if this helps. Provide your feedback/update and let me know if you face difficulties

[vagelas13]

Mark this post as an ACCEPTED SOLUTION if it helps **** Thanks !

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @vagelas13 

If I understand correctly, you managed to install Windows 8.1 successfully ? Any issues or glitches ?