How do I find the product key for Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-11-02T17:23:25+00:00

Original title: Product Key

I downloaded Windows 8.1 (free) from the Microsoft web site. My understanding was that in doing so, a new product key would be generated. I do not know where/how to find the new product key. Can someone help me out with this? Was I mistaken and do I use the product key I have for Windows 8?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-28T03:01:50+00:00

    Well that solves it I will not be buying then!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-28T03:32:20+00:00

    Many thanks again. ill attempt to implement F8 on startup now since i believe my O/S's are setup as you describe now,  you will realize why this 8.1 upgrade and update was such a mission for me as i in fact lost both systems back to back and then went through the process to get them both back twice, the long way:(

    It appears i also have some homework to do on bootstrapping and one time boot menus.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-28T14:23:43+00:00

    I am assuming that you are worried about getting windows 10 installed and you believe that you have to have the key for the last upgrade. (I don’t work for MS) first the key is buried in your Bios and will be detected by windows 10 for authentication just as windows 8.1 did for windows 8. I had windows 7 and was told that when windows 8 came out I could have a free upgrade, a few months later it came out and I installed thru HP, it detected the key and installed on its own. Later on MS said sent a notice of the 8.1 and it did the same thing. It is my understanding is that the operating system that came in your computer is owned by the company you bought it from and not MS (yes it is a MS product but owned by the builder), when I upgraded to 8.0 I had to go to HP to get the download. I had problems with windows 8 and had to go to HP for help, it was free. When I downloaded windows 8.1 I received it from the MS store, now they own the system. MS says the new method keeps people from making and selling copies of the software, so they say. The key is different from the manufacture than from MS and tells them who it belongs to. I know it is a little muddy but that is what I was told.

    Micky

    ***@msn.com 

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