lost windows 8.1 product key on HP Pavilion notebook

[cihankoru]

I am getting the 'blue screen of death'. I will attempt to fix it via a 'bootable usb'. I need the Windows 8.1 product key that came with the notebook. However, I have lost the disk that contained the product key.  I will appreciate any assistance in recovering the product key (or another way to solve the blue screen issue).

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

@cihankoru

Your license key is stored in BIOS and should be picked up automatically.

 You could try going through this HP troubleshooter first:

http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=NoPowerorBootIssues.net&as=true&SFS=sdoc&section=ccweb

[David_J_W]

As @CherylG says, your key should be stored in the BIOS chip of the computer. If you install ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store, you can see details of the keys.

[iomare]

Hi,

Since you do not have a product key, you will not be able to download the OS from Microsoft. It would not work anyway with the product key as it is an OEM installation. The product key is embedded in firmware.

However you can enter the recovery environment by pressing ESC when powering on until startup menu appears. From there you could use a restore point, refresh the PC or have a complete reinstall of the OS.

https://support.hp.com/ee-en/document/c03489643

Hope it helps,

David

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @cihankoru

As you have already been informed...the W8.1 product key is in the BIOS.

Here is how you can reinstall W8.1.

This media can also be used to peform system repairs (not that the repair tools always work).

I have given this method to several forum members who reported it worked just fine.

You can also do this with a W8 key, and skip the upgrade step to W8.1 from the windows store.

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Here is how you may be able to clean install W8.1 and use the W8.1 product key in your PC's BIOS to activate Windows.

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

Only if you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'standard.'

 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

Then manually change the generic product key to the W8.1 'standard' key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and only if you had to enter the generic product key I posted, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8.1 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or usb flash drive so it is bootable.

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

[StevenRupp]

I recommend you extract your Windows product key using a bootable USB drive with keyfinder program:

https://www.top-password.com/knowledge/find-lost-product-key-with-bootable-cd.html

Another way is to detach your hard drive and connect it to another PC, then run the product key finder program to recover it.

https://superuser.com/questions/636568/how-do-i-retrieve-a-product-key-from-another-hard-drive

You may lost your proruct key permanently after you format the hard drive or reinstall the OS.

[cihankoru]

Thank you for your response.

[cihankoru]

Thank you for your response.