PRODUCT KEY FOR WINDOWS 8.1

[PRAS2023]

I had purchased my HP with preinstalled Windows 8.1 The hard drive crashed recently and I needed to replace my hard drive and I replaced it with a SSD. I now have to install win 8.1 on my laptop but I don't have the product key. I downloaded the Microsoft MCT file for 8.1 64 bit and tried booting from the USB. All fine so far but when windows starts it asks me for the product key and I don't have that . I need HP to provide my product key.There is also no option to skip the product key with the 8.1 MCT file . I thought that since the key is embedded for 8.1 systems, it should allow me to bypass and start installing.

[PRAS2023]

There is also no option to skip the product key with the 8.1 MCT file . I thought that since the key is embedded for 8.1 systems, it should allow me to bypass and start installing.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The product key is in your notebook's BIOS.

If Windows is asking you to enter a product key, then one of two things is wrong:

1. You downloaded the wrong version of the W8.1 64 bit ISO file.

2. HP installed the wrong motherboard in your notebook that does not have a product key and was meant for notebooks that came with FreeDOS.

The problem is if your notebook came with W8.1 Single Language, you have to download the W8.1 SL ISO file, not the plain W8.1 file.

The parts list doesn't indicate what version of W8.1 your notebook came with and neither do the specs.

HP Pavilion 15-ab027tx Notebook PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

[PRAS2023]

Thank you. I'm not sure how to get this information though since it's now out of warranty. HP needs to be very specific to help customers in such situations. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Download the W8.1 Single Language ISO file from the link below.

Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File) (microsoft.com)

You don't need a product key to download it.

Then use the free Rufus utility to transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive so that it is bootable.

Set up Rufus as you see it on the website illustration for Windows.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Boot from the installation media and if your PC has a W8.1 SL product key in the BIOS, Windows will not ask you to enter a product key and should install and activate after you are connected to the internet.