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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?
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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?
I update in windows 8.1 in my PC. and we need to Activate. But i need a new Key Product. I request to give me a New Key Product.
You only get a key if you buy it, you need to do the upgrade from 8 then the original key is still active.
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Thanks, It makes sense. Vic
Then you have found the Product ID which has no particular use. It is derived in part from the Windows version with the variable part (what makes it the individual serial number) decoded from the Activation key.
The "hidden" value is the Activation Key. It is not printed or stored anywhere as a readable value but there are plenty of tools available to extract it from the system.
Microsoft did not envisage any particular scenario which needed the key to be known by the user for an OEM system hence no copy of the key was provided. As the key is embedded into the BIOS Windows setup should pick up the key automatically without user entry.
Even when with Windows 7 (and before) a label was provided with a key printed this was about having a visible proof of license. It had security features making harder to copy and although it had an Activation Key printed on it the factory Windows installation did not use that key.
