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
    2015-08-14T20:50:04+00:00

    If you have successfully upgraded the computer once from 7/8 to 10 then you do not need any key. The upgrade logs a hash for the computer which allows Windows 10 to authenticate even from a clean build in the future. The Windows 8 key cannot be used.

    During setup use the option to carry on with setup without entering a key. Once setup is complete and on line it will authenticate in the background.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-14T20:23:50+00:00

    This does not help at all if you have problems with 10 and need to reinstall. Now the 8.1pro key no longer works. At least mine doesn't.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-03T03:37:26+00:00

    Thanks for all the good responses....

    The problem is finally solved.  I had looked everywhere for the key with no success, and ended up going to the belarc.com web site and ran their free scan for the product key...  it worked and I finally installed windows 10...

    Thanks everyone

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-02T23:33:06+00:00

    This is what I did, if you have existing windows 7, 8 or 8.1 go to the link and download media creation tool. This will take time to do but it will work. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10  I used a mem stick.

    Good luck

    Micky Cleveland

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-08-02T23:14:53+00:00

    As your computer came with Windows 7 can you revert back to that as Windows 7 also qualifies for the free upgrade? Most computers come with a recovery partition so it may be possible to restore back to factory default then apply Windows 10

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