

Windows install bypass the Edition selection when it finds that key in BIOS storage, the workaround for this is to edit one of the file on the install media which forces it to always ask. OTOH this stored BIOS license key can be a problem if you're trying to do a clean install of a DIFFERENT edition of Windows (like Pro while the machine came with Home).

If it does have the stored key it goes up to 100%. So you might as well use the most well-known one, Magical Jelly Bean KeyFinder.Īnd in my experience Microsoft will 99 times out of 100 automatically detect and apply the correct key (as long as you select the right Windows Edition) even when doing clean installs on existing hardware even if you don't use a MS account for login and it doesn't have a BIOS stored license key. So really, only the first method should ever be used, there are other programs and tools that will work but there's no reliable methods that doesn't use tools! If there's no Windows OEM key in the BIOS it will be empty and if you've reinstalled using a different key it will give you the wrong key! It is useful as a way to access the key that comes with the hardware on most newer OEM machines but is no substitute for actually checking what license key Windows actually use.Īnd the third method usually? sometimes? returns a "digital key" that's only valid for the specific install - there's no real use for this since it can't be used even on the same hardware after a reinstall! However, the steps to retrieve product keys for older Windows versions may differ.The OA3xOriginalProductKey method returns the Windows OEM license key stored in the BIOS for pre-installed machines where they used that method to store it - most OEMs do this because this is the only way where they DON'T need to physically affix a sticker with the key on the machine which saves them time. In addition, to deinstall or reinstall another Windows version you might need a Windows 7 product key or Windows 8 product key. You have a volume licensing contract or MSDN subscription.You’ve got a digital version of the operating system from an authorized dealer.You’ve purchased the disc-based Windows 10 version.In the following situations it may be necessary to retrieve the Windows 10 product key: If you’ve purchased a digital license, you may be able to view the Windows 10 license and get a product key afterwards. You purchase an operating system via the Microsoft Store.You upgrade Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10.You purchased a new PC with a Windows operating system.Even when you’re reinstalling Windows 10, the system detects the license automatically. The operating system can be activated via your Microsoft account. Digital licenses allow for the simple installation of an operating system without requiring a bootable device. With the launch of Windows 10, product keys have become less important because Microsoft launched digital licenses in 2016.
