Windows Key after hard drive failure

[Harry85]

Hi All,

I have the following issue. The laptop died and I ordered a New HD. Now I want to make use of the Windows license that came along with the laptop. However I cannot find the productkey. Several forumposts refer to a Windows tool which can determine the Key. But due to the disk failure I can no longer boot Windows...

Catch22... Who can help out?

ps. Disk provides a 340 error, gives read errors and will not boot..

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If you live in the USA/Canada, call HP at this number and order a set of recovery disks for your notebook.

1-800-334-5144

Have the serial number of the PC handy to give to the customer services rep.

Having access to, or knowing the product key for your notebook is of no value.

On all PC's that come with W8 or newer from the factory, Microsoft has developed a new process for how product keys are stored.

They are stored in the BIOS chip on the motherboard, and the only way they work is if you use recovery disks or an OEM installation disk specifically for the version of W8 or newer that the key is good for.

When you go to install Windows, the key in the BIOS is automatically read and verifed by Windows, and the installation continues.

There is no longer any need to enter the product key when you install an OEM version of W8 or newer.

There are no more product key stickers, so that the OEM key can't be illegally used from one PC on another, as that is a violation of the operating system licensing terms.

[Harry85]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for the clear response.

Tough luck though. A recovery disk was never made and we live in Europe. Just bought a new key for Windows.

Would be heck a lot better if HP would find a way for customers that they can always restore their Windows License. Especially seeing that the windows licenses are way overpriced for customers compared to OEM.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, it would be nice if HP just included a separate HP-OEM operating system disk, and a separate driver and application disk with every PC they sell.

That is exactly what Dell used to do.  I don't know if Dell still does that, but I hope so.

That would make managing operating system reinstallations so much easier for all of us, and would probably reduce a ton of calls to their customer services support line.

I guess that makes too much sense.