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Windows Reinstall problem.

  • 21-01-2016 7:46pm
    #1
    Fr Tod Umptious
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,734 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi
    I got a Packard Bell laptop off a colleague a few years ago.

    It came with Windows 8 and I upgraded to 10 when it came out.

    Unfortunately I had to replace the HDD this week.

    The problem is I cannot now install any Windows OS because I do not have a license key.

    There is no sticker on the laptop and I never had the original package.

    I got a Win 8 pro iso and put it on a USB but it looks for a licence key almost straight away.

    I got a Win 8.1 Enterprise disk from work and installed it but I cannot active it as I don't have a valid key.


Comments

  • #2
    maki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 772 ✭✭✭maki


    Your product key is stored in the BIOS. You can retrieve it with this.

    You need to download the exact edition of Windows you had before, then use a generic key to temporarily use the OS.
    These are:

    Retail Windows 8
    FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3

    Retail Windows 8 Professional
    XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH

    Once you're into Windows, use the above program to get your key, then open a command prompt and execute: slmgr /upk
    This will uninstall the generic key you just entered.

    Then execute slui 3 from the same command prompt to bring up the activation window where you can enter your own key.


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