Activating Windows a 2nd time

Question

I was in the process of changing my start screen and I get a random pop up saying that I haven't activated windows yet. I had activated it the moment I unboxed my laptop.(back in 2014) My only option now is to buy a new key. (which I don't want to do)

Answer 1

Hi,

You don't need a new Key.

Below is how to find the Product Key and what to do if it does not work: Phone Activation.

With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

Follow these steps and do a Phone Activation and hold on for a real person to assist you.

OPTION TWO

To Activate Windows 8.1 by Phone

1. Do step 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like or able to do.

2. Press the Windows + R to open the Rusluisn dialog, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

3. Open an elevated command prompt, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

4. Open the Power Users Tasks menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 5A below.

5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

A) Click/tap on Activate Windows at the bottom right corner under Windows activation, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)


6. Open PC settings, click/tap on Activate Windows on the left side. 

Etc.

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

Cheers.