windows product key

[NickBlicky]

Hello all,

I have an HP Pavilion X360 model: m1-u001dx. I tried to do a complete wipe of the computer, but it stated there was not a hard drive. I opened the computer up made sure all connections where good, and made sure the HDD was plugged in correctly, but it still had the same problem... I then took the HDD out to inspect it, and i saw discoloration on some of the soler points as if it over heated. I bought a new SSD 500gb for it, but now i need to know my product key as i am unsure if this computer came with windows 10 or not. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The product specs indicate the notebook came with W10, so the product key should be encrypted in your notebook's BIOS and won't be needed to reinstall W10.

HP Pavilion x360 m1-u001dx (ENERGY STAR) Product Specifications | HP® Support

In addition to a clean install of W10 with the Microsoft installation media, you can also 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 your PC.

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

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

You can download the software from the Microsoft Store.

HP Cloud Recovery Tool - Microsoft Store Apps

Since you have to use the utility on another PC, you will need to enter your notebook's product number in the tool's search window in order to proceed to make the recovery media. 

Your PC's product number is:  W2L01UA#ABA

[NickBlicky]

Thank you for the reply, what would i do if i wanted to use a new SSD rather than the dead HDD?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

If you are referring to using the HP cloud recovery tool to reinstall Windows on the new SSD, that should work fine.

[NickBlicky]

Perfect, thank you for the information. I will try all of this later, and report back if needed to. Have a great day!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

You have a great day too!

[NickBlicky]

Alright, so... I have gotten it to boot; However, the HDD was completely toast, and i could not salvage windows 10 or anything else from it. Would you know the best way to get the windows key for this computer? It should have already been installed.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

As I posted in my first reply, the product key is encrypted in the notebook's BIOS, not the hard drive.

You don't need the product key or even know what the key code is to reinstall Windows by either a clean install or the cloud recovery tool.