Windows 10 (came preloaded with 8.1) unbootable, how to retrieve my Windows Product key?

[Deddilus]

Sorry I goofed I have an HP 15-g024nr Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR)

), which had been upgraded to Windows 10 64-bit.  It originally shipped with Windows 8.1 64-bit installed.  I'm unable to boot now because some errors appear to have occurred in the MBR.  I am unable to locate my Microsoft Product Key, since I can't boot, however do have an Ubuntu Linux boot disk, so am still able to see the hard drive. Is there a specific file that I can extract or view the Microsoft Product Key from?  Or any other way that I can since there isn't a sticker on the bottom of notebook with the Microsoft Product Key on it. ☹️

I am considering attempting to reformat drive and reinstall Windows, unfortunately I never created the recovery disks on the system before problems ensued, so am uncertain if I should attempt to recover by reinstalling Windows 8.1 64-bit, then attempt upgrading to Windows 10 64-bit if I'm successful, or if I should attempt to recover by reinstalling Windows 10 64-bit, straight away and am seeking the correct way to do it, if there's no way that I can recover my Microsoft Product Key from someplace either in the BIOS or from a file on the hard drive that I could copy and remove to another Windows 10 system to attempt to view?  I've downloaded bootable USB version of both Windows 8.1 64-bit and Windows 10 64-bit from Microsoft's website, but don't want to start down the wrong path and be stuck with nowhere to go.  Am I up the creek without a paddle or is there something I can do to salvage my system without having to purchase another one as money is extremely tight right now?

Any guidance/help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The Windows product key is in the BIOS.

You don't need it to reinstall W8.1 or W10.

If you want to reinstall W10, make the bootable installation media using the media creation tool at the link below with another Windows PC.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

When you get to the part of the installation that asks for a product key, select the 'I don't have a product key' option, and W10 will install and activate once you are connected to the internet since Microsoft has a record of your PC having been previously activated on W10.

Then you can install the drivers and available software from your notebook's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-15-Notebook-PC-series/6545564/model/7450432

[Deddilus]

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and for the download links.  
I understand that you're saying the Windows key is stored in the BIOS, and that I don't need it to reinstall Windows 10, but am wondering which of the fields in the BIOS contains the Windows Product Key, becauses nothing says Windows Product Key as a field.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I don't know where it is, and the key is not visible in any of the settings, so you can't easily read it.

After you get Windows installed, run the free utility that I zipped up and attached below, and it will show you the product key in the BIOS and the version of Windows the key is good for.

You will be able to print or save the report as a text file.

[Deddilus]

Thank you very much for sharing you knowledge and for the utility. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.