How to get Windows 11 license key

[Brian-A]

Windows crashed and can't be recovered. F11 does NOT work, never get the recovery option menu. So if I do a new Windows 11 install, how do I get the license key to activate it?

UPDATE: It's been 4 months since I reinstalled Windows 11 (see the last post in this original thread) and no problems. Just an fyi that I did NOT re-enable Optane and I have not noticed any degradation in performance.

[resistencia]

Hi @Brian-A 

If the pc had windows 11 installed, the license is stored in the BIOS and when you reinstall windows you take the license from the BIOS.

[Brian-A]

Windows came preinstalled. But I checked in the BIOS and don't see anything labed OS or OEM key. What is it called in the BIOS?

[resistencia]

You can't see that, it is stored in the BIOS, only if you can enter windows you can type in CMD command and write:

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

As I told you when installing windows, it takes the license from BIOS without typing.

That is why each windows license is unique and works only on the computer that had windows 11 preinstalled, otherwise the license is purchased separately.

[Brian-A]

Ok, what about drivers. Will Windows install all the required drivers or is that something I'll need to do after the install?

[resistencia]

it does, but it's a good idea to install HP Support assistant and see which drivers you need to update.

HP Support Assistant | HP® Support

[Brian-A]

Windows USB boots up and then prompts to "install driver to show hardware". Seems it can't see the hard drive.
Downloaded the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver to the usb but highlighting it and clicking Install, nothing happens?

[resistencia]

Download this driver, then use Win-Zip or 7-zip with that program open the executable file, you will see several folders unzip the folders on the USB installation, and when prompted for the driver from the path of the folder F6 then select the driver and then shows you the disk

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp138501-139000/sp138539.exe

[Brian-A]

Yea, those are the same drivers I tried but when I highlight and click Install for either of those, nothing happens.

[resistencia]

Did you select the .inf file from the unzipped folder with 7 -zip? what generation of processor do you have?