What kind of license it?

[janasashi]

Hello. I have a question about OS in my notebook. I bought it used with preinstalled with Windows (don't remember which one it was) and I changed it with the HP recovery kit on DVDs which I owned to the Windows 7 Pro 64. HP support told me I can downgrade the system with the disc without any problems (so I suppose I had W8 or W10), and it worked. I used legal and activated Windows 7 till now. I wanted to reinstall my system because it crashed. My ssd is formatted right now but I realised I can't find my old DVDs with recovery... Now I can download W8.1 and W10 legally from microsoft site, and try to install it from ISO file (and USB stick) but I can't tell which one was originally attached to the notebook. I have strange label at the bottom of the notebook (no COA), it is GML but there is no version of the license.

I looks like this 

Can you help me please? Is this W10 sticker?

[Huffer]

Based on the Quickspecs it could be either Windows 10 or 8.1 and in most cases computers with Windows 10 preinstalled the sticker says Windows 10 so I am saying Windows 8.1. 

http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c04472796

On 8.1 the license Key is embedded in the BIOS and on installation it will just activate. 

[janasashi]

Ok, but I downloaded Windows 8.1 iso from Microsoft and tried to install from bootable pendrive. During the installation I was asked to give my  product key. I have my key taken from BIOS (by special software) but it doesn't work,  so I'm wondering if this should be this way? 

I thought the step will be just passed, and the key will be taken from BIOS automatically.

[Huffer]

Yes but you are not appreciating that is a retail copy of Windows 8.1 you are downloading from Microsoft and your system needs an OEM copy. 

Can't you just "skip" the Key Code, and get all the way to a Windows desktop? There should be an option when it stops at the Key Code section to just "skip this step". 

[janasashi]

It was when installing Win7, but no at Win8.1. Im appreciating that, but still I was hoping it will work. I just can't wait for HP Recovery Kit.  

I checked my S/N there: http://partsurfer.hp.com/search.aspx , and it looks like my original os was W10 pro. 

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

I was hoping that. You can download Windows 10 Pro from the Media Creation Tool site and install it. No retail/OEM split under Windows 10. 

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