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Tip

UEFI users find your OS product key

Dec 10, 2014 3:16AM PST

Win 8 has embedded UEFI handling of the OS product key. That's the reason, no longer are found the decal/sticker from MS of "product key" affixed to case or card from most OEM build systems. You can use the "jellybean method" but that may be considered an attack in some cases. I suggest the more direct method of finding your product key. You really don't need to access this if you have the supplied OEM recovery/restore discs or use of the hidden partition found for same purpose as it fetches from the UEFI what it needs. Otherwise, if required you have in effect the product key for your use at a later date. Do the following:

1) have administer rights
2) type the command below at command prompt;

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOrginalProductKey

*note* no 0/zero used above

3) hit return/enter

good luck -----Willy Happy

*suggest as sticky addition*

Discussion is locked

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The word is "iffy."
Dec 10, 2014 3:20AM PST

While it's interesting to know that, someone exploded and flamed everyone over how unuseful this key can be. They tried to use that key to activate a full retail Windows 8 OS install and flamed everyone over why that didn't work.

Good post and all but could give folk some idea it could be used in well, in an iffy way.
Bob

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retail keys
Dec 10, 2014 6:39AM PST

haven't worked on OEM products since windows 98, nor vice versa.

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Heck, its for the that PC
Dec 10, 2014 12:48PM PST

Yeah, it would be doubtful of any use outside of that PC. That's the whole idea and one of the hassles getting Win 8 back to square 1 again, if they didn't make any recovery discs or have the them supplied. Just another reason I found not to like Win 8 and later. Maybe, its me, but what a way to run a railroad sorta speak.

tada -----Willy Happy

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(NT) So railway crossing with a truck stuck on the tracks mode?
Dec 10, 2014 2:39PM PST
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I just use Belarc advisor.
Dec 16, 2014 10:25PM PST

Like yesterday I was on my Account from Dell and saw the current version of BIOS. I ran Belarc and confirmed I have the most recent release for the BIOS.