Upgraded Windows version and changed HDD for SSD

[Kabusan]

Dear Community, hello. Some time ago, upgraded my HP Pavilion 14-b120dx Sleekbook laptop original Windows 8 OS to Windows 10 (Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Version: 19044.2604), using Microsoft Upgrade option, without any issue.  Being and old laptop, next step was to upgrade ram and change HDD for SSD. Upgraded both, but after doing  OS migration from HDD to  new Crucial SDD, the Activate Windows message came on desktop. Laptop hasnt any product key sticker nor do I keep the CD sleeve with the original product key. Is there any way I can recover the windows 8 Product Key? Will that product key Activate the Win 10? Any suggestions are welcome

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That is interesting that after you cloned the W10 Pro from the mechanical hard drive to the SSD, it wasn't activated.

The problem is your W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS is only good for W10 Home, so you won't be able to activate W10 Pro with the W8 Home product key in your notebook's BIOS.

You could clean install W10 Home and activate that with the W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS.

You could even try to clean install W10 Pro and when you get to the part that asks you to enter a product key, select the 'I don't have a product key' option, and see if W10 Pro will be activated afterward.

You can install the free Showkey Plus app from the Microsoft Store and it will show you the installed key and the W8 OEM key in your PC's BIOS.

ShowKeyPlus - Microsoft Store Apps