Lost my windows product key number.

[watkinsm]

Hey guys so I have my laptop crash on me and my warranties out. Although I could pay for the services but at the rate, I might as well just buy a new laptop. For what I need I have it back up and functional. I was hoping to find help with, finding the windows key? The bottom is all faded out. Also, some reason the computer is not picking up the driver. That's honestly a minor issue. I have an external so it's not that big a deal. Nothing inside is damage so if anybody has any insight on that?

Finding my original key will be major because it will probably fix everything on it.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft has required all PC manufacturers to encrypt the product key in the PC's BIOS.

So, there are no more product key stickers to wear out, etc.

You do not need the product key or even need to know what it is to reinstall W10.

You can use the HP cloud recovery tool and a 32 GB USB flash drive to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with the PC.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

You can download the software from the Microsoft Store.

HP Cloud Recovery Tool - Microsoft Store Apps

Since you will have to use the utility on another PC, you will need to enter the PC's product number in the tool's search window in order to proceed to make the recovery media.

The PC's product number is: 4EY76UA#ABA

You will lose all data currently stored on the hard drive using this method of recovery.