after warranty expiration, how to find windows 8.1 product key?

[mike884]

Hi Dean and Paul

Re:

"You can skip entering a product key during installation.

Your key should be bundled into BIOS >> http://www.cnet.com/news/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys/

and Windows should detect it automatically eventually (like after installation)"

Thanks to both you very much

I was able to install w8.1

transfer the ISO file tool was really helpful

Did have to use your "generic" key

And there is now a message about a problem with the key

It says to activate windows

when I try, it says "This product key does not work" and offers to enter new key or buy a key

So I guess, the "Bios embedded" is not found by comp

How to resolve that?

PS

I already installed all win updates, so comp was restarted several times

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I have zipped up and attached a free utility below, that will show you the W8.1 product key in your notebook's BIOS.

Do the change product key thing again, and enter that product key manually, and see if that successfully activates windows for you.

If it does, I suggest you print out and save the key for any future installations you may have to do.

[mike884]

worked

Thank you again

you guys did a bang up job

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[IT_WinSec]

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@mike884 wrote:

worked

Thank you again

you guys did a bang up job

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You are very welcome !