- FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT HOW TO
- FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT INSTALL
- FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT SOFTWARE
If you want to find the UEFI-embedded key and write it down, you can do so quite simply. (Still, it may be best to find the product key using one of the below methods and write it down before reinstalling Windows - just in case.) You should just be able to reinstall the same edition of Windows the PC came with and it should just work without even asking you for a key. You don’t have to do anything special if you have this. Instead, the key is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS by the manufacturer. No one can glance at your computer’s sticker to steal its product key.
FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT SOFTWARE
On newer Windows 8, 10, and 11 computers, the key isn’t stored in software where it can be wiped, or on a sticker where it could be smudged off or removed. If the Key Is Stored in Your PC’s Hardware
FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT INSTALL
In other words, if it came with Windows 7 Home Premium, you can’t install Windows 7 Professional. It’ll all happen automatically.īe sure to use the same version and edition of Windows the computer came with. You don’t even need to know it–assuming you’re installing the same edition of Windows the PC came with, it should automatically activate and work without you needing to enter a key. The key for the version of Windows the PC comes with is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS.
The key you need will be in one of three places: RELATED: Where to Download Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 ISOs Legally All you need is access to the disk drive from a working computer. The great thing is that you can even recover a key, even from a computer that won’t boot anymore. We can only assume that they don’t want anybody to re-use a key from an old computer. We’re not really sure why Microsoft went to great lengths to make it difficult to see the product keys for their software, especially since they are stored right in there in the registry and can be read by software, if not by humans.
FIND WINDOWS 8.1 SERIAL KEY FROM COMMAND PROMPT HOW TO
RELATED: Beginner Geek: How to Reinstall Windows on Your Computer As you can see in the screenshot above, the product ID is stored in the registry but is in a binary format that can’t be read by humans unless you are some sort of Cylon.