Windows product key recovery

[Lewzer]

Hello,

   My hard drive died and I have no backup. How do I recover my windows product key so I can rebuild my system with a new hard drive without having to repurchase windows. Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The Windows product key is encrypted in your notebook's BIOS.

You don't need the product key to reinstall Windows.

If you want the original HP software image, you can use the HP cloud recovery tool to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with the notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for this.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

Since you have to use another PC to create the bootable recovery media, you will need to enter the notebook's full product number in the tool's search window, which is:  4SY34UA#ABA

[Lewzer]

Thank you for the info, I will give it a try!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.