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
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 ![]()
*suggest as sticky addition*

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