How to recover Windows 10 activation key.

[Ayush_Chauhan05]

I have a HP Laptop : HP a6 9220. Its 2-3 years old laptop. I bought it 2nd hand in January 2022. This laptop comes with a Windows 10 Home version which gets digitally activated after connecting to the internet for the first time. But its last owner changed its OS from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro, But did not activate it. Now My Question is :

1. Can I change it back to Windows 10 Home and get it Activated (Through the digital key provided by HP in its BIOS as they say i.e. without having to buy a activation key.)

2. If yes, then how?

3. If no, then what are other possible options that I have?

Thanks for the help!

[ub6424]

Hello @Ayush_Chauhan05 

Your Windows 10 Home product key is stored in your bios, so it will only be actived automatically on Windows 10 Home installation.

Recommendation and solution:

You will have to go back to Windows 10 Home

best regards

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[Ayush_Chauhan05]

Can you kindly help me with the procedure of going back to home version from this pro version?

[ub6424]

Hello @Ayush_Chauhan05 

(1) To read the windows home key from BIOS, you have to do the following.

Please open powershell console

( please select/copy and paste (right click) the command into the powershell console )

(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

Censored example:

(2) Please write the Windows Home key well readable on a sheet of paper !

(3) Only when you have this information (windows home key), we can continue.

Please report your results

best regards

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[Ayush_Chauhan05]

I tried the command but it does not show anything.

I also tried a CMD command similar to it. It also did not work.

[Ayush_Chauhan05]

I also tried using a thrid party software on microsoft store it also shows no OEM key.

I think powershell and this software both are not showing key because its windows 10 pro in the laptop right now and the activation key is of 10 home?

[ub6424 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Ayush_Chauhan05 

Please edit your previous post and delete the screenshot, your personal windows serial number (s/n) is shown, it's not allowed in public.

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@Ayush_Chauhan05 wrote:

I also tried using a thrid party software on microsoft store it also shows no OEM key.

I think powershell and this software both are not showing key because its windows 10 pro in the laptop right now and the activation key is of 10 home?

- The powershell command is not showing the key, because there is NO KEY stored in your BIOS

- Ask the previous owner for the windows home key

Please report your results

best regards

---

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make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply ▶️ [ Accept as Solution ] ◀️

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much

             ⌨️

[ub6424]

Hello @Ayush_Chauhan05 

It was a great pleasure to help you ✅

best regards