Need to learn the original Windows 7 activation key for old HP Pavilion laptop.

[DRNewcomb]

In order to operate some no-longer-supported peripherals, I need to reinstall Windows 7 (or less than 10) on this laptop. As it turns out, I have an unused Windows 7 install disc with key but I'd rather not use this key if I can get the original key from HP. The tag with the key printed on it is worn away so the key can't be read. My understanding is that HP only started encoding the key in the BIOS at Win 8.  is there any hope of key recovery or should I just use the new key?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Your notebook originally came with W10 from HP according to the specs, so there is no HP W7 product key for your notebook.

HP Notebook - 15-bs141ur Product Specifications | HP® Support

The W10 product key in the BIOS will not work to activate W7.

There are no W7 drivers for your notebook either, so you are going to have a hard time finding drivers for the major components to work.

You can plan on having no USB 3, and no Wi-Fi as there were no W7 drivers for those devices.

HP Notebook - 15-bs141ur Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

[DRNewcomb]

It's a dv4-2164us. I don't know why the system pegs it as something else. The s/n checks.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

I can only provide the official HP specs (notebook with W10 from HP), and HP keeps no records of Windows product keys for any OS anyway. 

Since the notebook is not supported for W7 by HP, I recommend that you install W7 without entering the product key you have and not activate it until you are sure you can get everything to work on W7.

[DRNewcomb]

OK. Thanks for the info. I had hoped that there was some backup location where I could find/obtain the code.  I looked under the battery and hard drive. It's not like I'll ever need to reinstall Win 7 on any other machine. I'll just use the code that came with the CD.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you need any help with finding W7 drivers for the notebook, please let me know.