How do I find the product key for Windows 8.1

You are correct in that there is no reason for the user to have the key for the preinstalled Windows and this has been the case since Windows XP. Before Windows 8 the mechanism required a code in the BIOS to verify the system was entitled to have Windows installed. That code was not the key itself but was different for each manufacturer. For those systems they did have key label but it was not the same key the manufacturer was issued to build and license the system. Even then there was no value in knowing the build key for OEM systems as it could not be used for anything.

The UEFI BIOS now allows the key itself to be stored and Microsoft no longer provide a second key on the label. It is still the case that there is no need to know the key because Windows 8 setup can read the key directly if it exists.

I still build my own computers so I can have the exact spec I want but I no longer build computers to sell. It was difficult to make any profit and I was tied to provide support, far easier to guide a user to buy a PC on line and the user has an alternative support option.

There are many ways that an install of Windows can be licensed . If you build a computer yourself , and install a retail version of Windows , you'll have a key that you have to enter to validate your installation . When you validate , the OS generates a hardware profile of your system , which is like a fingerprint . From that point on , that fingerprint is locked to that system . You can change a few things without triggering the need to call Microsoft , but if you make major changes , like changing the motherboard , it will trigger off the need to call Microsoft and re-validate the key.

   Then there are OEM installs . OEM installs can be done several ways , but one of the most common is that the manufacturer buys bulk licenses to Windows . Each machine has a key embedded in the BIOS , that is associated with one of those licenses . The OEM does NOT have to give you that key . This is how they generate their real revenue , if you really mess up your machine and are within warranty , you need to come back to them to fix it ( at a small charge usually ) . If you are OUT of warranty , they will charge you MUCH more . Or you can take it to a third party , which may be able to fix it for you , again at a hefty fee. Microsoft itself won't provide tech support for such machines because they sold the keys in bulk to OEM . OEM gets a discount for buying in bulk , but in return , they agree to provide the tech support . It is how they save money. If you are lucky , the company you bought from provides great support . If not , you may find it very hard to get your machine working again .

   These OEM keys are a form of Volume License Key. Corporations can get VLK's to install Windows on multiple machines at once , but that VLK is registered to that corporation only , and if anyone else uses that key and tries to call Microsoft for help , MS will tell them to contact that companies IT department , because they are responsible for it . ( Again , that is the trade off for buying in bulk . )

 Now where it gets tricky , is if you update the OS past a certain point . Like from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 Update . Now the OS is radically different from the one that was originally installed . IF you have issues with it , and go back to the OEM , they may reset it for you , but it will be to Windows 8 , because that is what they originally licensed .

     I don't work for MS , and I'm sure that I have oversimplified some things here , but I hope it clears up some confusion . 

   And yeah , MS doesn't really keep up with all of these threads . New issues and new postings take top priority , then if they have any time left , they might come back and read these older threads to see if anything new is happening in them, which means that we are all pretty much in our own little world in this thread.

Yeah Ken , the key to "Add Features" is purchased from Microsoft . I think it's $10 ?  And all it really does is add the capability to watch Blu-Ray videos to Windows . That ability can be found in several types of free codec packages , so it is really not necessary. 

   I am assuming that that is what you were inquiring about . The "Add Features to Windows " function. That isn't something that was provided by the OEM of your machine , and that mainly has to do with Hollywood and the movie industry putting pressure on MS to keep people from pirating movies . This whole "make them pay extra to be able to watch Blu-Ray movies" was just a way to placate Hollywood lawyers.

The Media Center add-on will not include Blu-Ray capability--it's DVD only.

I  was JUST SPEAKING TO the Microsoft store and  was disconnected (hung up on )

I have been having  trouble with this  store for two years now .

I have been  trying to get a product key for my windows 8.1 pro,  first it was

for windows 8 pro  , in which I have been accused of trying to steal from Micro soft..

I have been spoken to as if I am a piece of trash , accused of being a thief, passed

back and forth from one dept to another  for 3 hours . Until I finally hung up. in tears

of  frustration and anger

There have been times when  I call , I get  disconnected  as soon as I give my name

All this started in  2013 ,   I had purchased windows 8  pro  through Microsoft, at an amazing price

of 39.99 USD.  paid  through  pay pal.

I received the CD's with a product key in a few days fantastic  .    Murphy's Law has  just been delivered to my doo, . Just  for me.   Wow  how wonderful ..!!!

I tried to do a fresh install on my  computer .  That fresh install  wiped out  everything  on my computer

except for the  triangles , squares,  and circles . .

I than called Micro Soft cancelled, the  hard copies of  windows 8.  pro ,   than was connected

to someone else,  to download windows 8 pro , by remote,   After I paid 76.00 USD . more.

I had not received  a product  code, with the download W8 pro.   I was to check my  email in a few days.

a FEW MONTHS later  my computer   went to blue screen  , luckily I had hired a company through my phone carrier , for a  wonderful amount  of 15.00 USD per month.  . I still have that company help me ..

. I  was told by  a tech with the other company. When he  was doing a remote  on my  computer

 I would need an Alpha Numeric product code for my O.S. , incase I ever have to repair

or reinstall my  OS  .

I called Microsoft Store  and requested the product  code    .  When I explained to  the   tech at  The M.S. Store , I had  purchased the W8 pro twice and  the  whole YaDA YaDA  .bout  refund  and the other  purchase , for the one that was downloaded . and  The only one that could be found at that time, was the one  that had been refunded.

I was told " That  I  should not be allowed to Use their  product . I was  a thief and  they  would make  sure my windows 8 pro would  be  deactivated.  Than "click"  Murphy's law in  action  .. Two days later MY computer  went  upside down .. Windows 8 pro   had been  deactivated,  ...  I went on  the hunt  again for my other purchase  order.  (from someone else' s ' computer) ,  Now  one  thing about  Outlook   , anything  that is older   (one year. ) is moved to  the  "clouds" but  where in the clouds  ,,  ???    After  a phone call to  the  STORE ( from here on  Ms store  will be referred to as "The  STORE"  . speaking to  the supervisor s or  someone pretending to be a supervisor  ,  my windows  was re activated.    To have the hard drive go out  2 month s later. AHHHHHH ,

     After the  install of a new hard drive    I needed a PRODUCT  code,   by now it is s the end of  2014  .. My daughter Bless her  heart , talked  to  the people at the store  so patiently , they gave her a temporary . numeric  product code  .   T he  number worked  and  is still working  ,

I have ffinallly found the other purchase order , for the downloaded w8 pro.   When I call in  I give  the ppl I talk to , both    purchase order numbers .  People only see what they want to see .  the refunded  order.  I  have to insist they l look at the other P.O.

Now  my "  please  look at the  other purchase order",   is  A  tight lipped,   teeth clenched   LOOK AT THE OTHER ORDER ......  That one is  for  $76 dollars ,  the refunded one is for $39.00 ..

I deserve my  product code.    I  paid for one

With all that   brought  to  sight ,    two years later I did get another product code  but  one hitch  IT IS   INVALID..

I called again today  spoke to  3 different departments     there is always the . " you  received a refund."  I counter with  "LOOK "at the other order    There is NO REFUND ON THAT one,"!  I am  told  to please  hold for a few minutes , I have to speak to someone else about this ..  THAN  CLICK " would you like to make another call. " is what I hear on  my end of he  phone.

I wanttot know  why I cannot have ? a product code>?  Will it compromise  Micro Soft security .  Is it a code to open the star ship , Where  the first computers were found,, Is it the  cell number to some space voyager ?

I do AGREE  They Donot  want to give out the product  codes  What 's  going to happen when they  release W-10 for free ? Do we get a product code or the run around again?