Windows 7 product key no longer readable-where can I retrieve it?

[robinw3]

Computer failed and need to reinstall Windows 7 but some of the product key characters are no longer readable.  Warranty expired in 2011.  I have my serial number, product number, etc.

[WAWood]

@robinw3

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

Sorry, but HP keeps no records of individual Windows product keys associated with individual PCs.  So, HP has no way of providing you the product key information.

What you want to do CAN be done, but it will require some considerable effort on your part because it will involve the following:
1) Finding another PC to be used to download stuff
2) Using the other PC to download an ISO file of a repair utility and burning a DVD or creating a USB stick from that
3) On the other PC, downloading a utility that can be used to retrieve the product key from the UEFI firmware of your PC
4) Booting your PC using the repair utility
5) Using a USB stick to transfer the product key utility to your PC and then running it.

So, in terms of 2), this forum page links to downloads of an ISO file that can be used to make a repair DVD or USB stick: https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/27180-windows-10-recovery-tools-bootable-rescue-disk.html

You want to download the file Win10586PESE_x64 ISO v160707 file.

Once you have this, you have a choice of media to create:
1) If you can boot from CD, download and install ImgBurn and use the Write Image to Disk option to create a bootable CD.
2) If you can boot from USB, download and install RUFUS and use the option to create a bootable USB stick from the ISO file.

Also, on the other PC, you want to download this key finder utility and copy it to a USB stick: http://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkey.html

Once you have those, boot your PC from the repair utility DVD or USB stick.

Once it is up and running, insert the key finder USB stick and run the utility. It will display the product key of your PC.

Good Luck

[robinw3]

Thank you. I will give this a try.

[robinw3]

I went to the link provided, but the file you said I should download is for Windows 10.  I want to stay with Windows 7 if at all possible. Is there a Win7 version of the file?