Partial Windows Product Key

Question

I have a laptop where the hard disk has completely failed not too long after upgrading to Windows 10.  I want to put a new hard drive in the laptop and re-install Windows 10 (was originally Windows 7 Home Premium), however the Product Key sticker has peeled off at the end, so I am missing a few of the digits.  The laptop is about 8 years old, but it's still a good machine.  Any idea as to how to get the last few digits of the product key ?

Thank you

David

Answer 1

Hi,

If you did the free upgrade to Windows 10 you don't need the key to reinstall it... Just Install Win 10 Home and it will Activate with a Digital License...

There is a way to list the License key, but not from a dead hard drive...

Do you by any chance have any of the original packaging or Installation media that might also have the key on it ?

Answer 2

Windows 10 Digital License

When you upgraded from a previous version of Windows or receive a new computer preinstalled with Windows 10, what happened is the hardware (your PC) will get a digital entitlement, where a unique signature of the computer will be stored on Microsoft Activation Servers. The Windows 7 or Windows 8 genuine license you were previously running will be exchanged for a diagnostics key.

Anytime you need to reinstall Windows 10 on that machine, just proceed to reinstall Windows 10. It will automatically reactivate. You will prompted to enter a product key a couple times through the installation, click I don't have a key and Do this later.

There is no need to know or get a new key, but if you have issues with Digital Licensing or the Activation Troubleshooter, you can utilize an existing Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key you already own to reactivate if necessary. or use the reset function in Windows 10.

Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support

Reinstall by Performing a Direct Clean Install

If Windows 10 was already installed and activated on your system, just proceed to perform a direct clean install as described in the following articles.

Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files 

Step 2: 

• How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10

Answer 3

No unfortunately I don't have the original packaging, but I'll give it a go, I wasn't aware how the digital licensing worked.  Thanks very much for your reply. 

Thank you David