How to obtain Windows 10 product key from BIOS on a HP elitebook installed with a linux OS?

[rgietzen]

Hello,

I purchased a new Elitebook laptop.  I prefer to install Opensuse as my OS and in the past have dual booted with Windows as well.  With this computer, I've decided to install the Windows 10 in Virtualbox on the Opensuse OS.  This is much easier to access then rebooting the machine.  I did some research, and found that it is legal to use the Windows 10 with virtualization software, as long as I only install the program on the computer is was intended for.

Anyways, I am anticipating the Virtualbox OS will not be able to verify the product key stored in BIOS.  I want to obtain that information now so I can enter it manually.  The only tools I have found for pulling the product key off of BIOS are Windows based.

Is there a manual way I can navigate in BIOS and get the key?  Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Roger

[rgietzen · Accepted solution]

Solution found!

If you are running linux OS there is a simple command line to retrieve the windows product key that is stored in the BIOS of your computer.  I found the solution at this link:

https://superuser.com/questions/637971/how-do-i-get-out-my-embedded-windows-8-key-from-a-linux-envir...

Ultimately, on my Leap 42.3 OS, I used this exact command in terminal and it immediately pulled up the key:

sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM

I hope this helps someone else.

Roger