Windows 8 License and fresh install

By dafin0
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Proficient

dafin0

Posted
Posted

So i have new Windows 8 laptop and im thinking about formating it (remove all the junk software), but i have noticed that it does not have a Windows 8 product key. If i was to boot to my Windows 8 disk will it know the Windows 8 licence? im guessing its saved in the BIOS?

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1115567-windows-8-license-and-fresh-install/
Share on other sites
Proficient

dafin0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

why not just uninstall that junk? im sure there is a poduct key somewhere have you looked under the battery? i know dell and some new hps have done this.

Yeah no key to be found anywhere. also i plan to get a SSD for this system so ill need to install Windows 8 again then

Grand Master

Gotenks98

Posted
Posted

why not just uninstall that junk? im sure there is a poduct key somewhere have you looked under the battery? i know dell and some new hps have done this.

Its probably behind the battery just like you said. In most new systems they are doing this since the most folks are too stupid to copy down or take a picture of the COA on the bottom.
Proficient

dafin0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Its probably behind the battery just like you said. In most new systems they are doing this since the most folks are too stupid to copy down or take a picture of the COA on the bottom.

so i looked at a different Win 8 laptop (acer) and it also didnt have a product key, its not behind the battery because the acer didnt have a removable battery.

i guess a good question would be, has anyone gotten a new laptop with windows 8 and does it have a Windows 8 product number?

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

Q. What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label?

A. A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label helps you and your customers identify genuine Microsoft Windows software. Without it, your customers will not have a legal license to run their Windows software.

Each COA label includes advanced anti-counterfeiting features to help verify the software's authenticity. The COA label is included with each individual software license. For preinstalled Microsoft Windows operating systems, the COA label must be affixed by the system builder to the PC chassis. The COA label also includes the product key, which will be needed in the event the operating system needs to be reinstalled. COA labels must be distributed as part of the full System Builder software license, which also includes the hologram CD and documentation. A COA is not a software license. It is a visual aid that helps in determining whether Microsoft software is genuine. A COA should never be purchased, sold, or distributed by itself without the software it authenticates. COA labels cannot be distributed as standalone items. Get more information about the COA.

That's what I was posting about earlier....

If the CoA isn't attached that's not a good thing. Note how it says it MUST be affixed to the chassis? If it's not then those OEM's are not following the licensing guidelines.

Have you tried with a keyfinder software? I haven't tried in 8, but I used one to save my 7 license before formatting.

All of the keyfinder software out there I've tried does not show your actual Win8 key. I've tried all the big name ones, and some of the smaller ones...they all get it wrong. So the software out there needs updating to figure out the correct license...but on top of that normally the key on the sticker and the key on the box are not the same.

However with most PC's I'm hearing this shouldn't be a problem. Someone earlier posted about how they were trying to install Windows 8 Pro on a machine they bought that had WIndows 8 (Core) installed...and it kept auto-installing Core without even asking them for a key.

So it seems most of these machines even with regular install media don't need you to put in the key anymore since the machines are picking things up. I don't know if this is true all the way around...but it is interesting.

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

to know your windows 8 product key there are many tiny applications. just search in google with key words "key finder" and you will get many. I have one named magical jelly Bean Keyfinder 2.0.8 and it works well for windows 8.

No, no it doesn't. I've tested it out and the key that it spits out is always wrong.

Sure it works on 7 and such, but it seems they've done something to change how they hide the key in 8...and MJBK doesn't produce the right one.

That's why I stated that I've already tested out all the major ones, and a ton of the smaller ones...and none of them work so far.

For instance on my particular install the last 3 characters as reported by MJBK are QJD.

The last 3 characters of the product key that is actually in use for my system are GB3.

As you can see...not quite the same. ;)

Proficient

dafin0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Afiak Windows 8 based laptops do not have a COA , opened 2 brand new units to demo 1 lenovo , 1 Packard Bell and nether had a COA which did throw us.

good to know im not totally crazy :)

here is a picture(s) of the WIndows 8 system

http://s20.beta.photobucket.com/user/dafin0/media/29102012369.jpg.html

http://s20.beta.photobucket.com/user/dafin0/media/29102012368.jpg.html

http://s20.beta.photobucket.com/user/dafin0/media/29102012370.jpg.html

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

That is definitely one of the oddest things I've seen. The license terms at Microsoft.com still make reference to OEM's needing to attach a CoA in order to be in compliance with the OEM rules.

I wonder if this has changed due to the way they can store the key on the system...but until that's confirmed it's still a bit odd to me.

Proficient

dafin0

Posted
  • Author
Posted

That is definitely one of the oddest things I've seen. The license terms at Microsoft.com still make reference to OEM's needing to attach a CoA in order to be in compliance with the OEM rules.

I wonder if this has changed due to the way they can store the key on the system...but until that's confirmed it's still a bit odd to me.

What i might do is install another hard drive in the laptop, do a fresh install of win 8 and see what happens with activation

Experienced

AussieAnon

Posted
Posted

My brand new Windows 8 (Core) HP Envy 23-D010A All-in-one PC doesn't have a product code anywhere on it. Annoying thing is, when I try to do a clean install using my Windows 8 Pro USB stick (I get pro with my TechNet sub) and wipe all the partitions, it installs Windows 8 Core and not Pro.

I noticed during the first few screens of setup, it displays a WIndows 8 EULA and not the Windows 8 Pro EULA. Then continuing through Setup, it does not ask for a Product Key.

When I use this USB stick on my Tablet, it asks for a Product key and then installs Windows 8 Pro..

SO.... Im guessing the EULAID for Windows 8 and/or the product code is now locked into the UEFI firmware or something.

The only way I can install Pro, is by installing Core, then upgrading to Pro then upgrading to Media Center. It seems pretty stupid to me. #firstworldproblems

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • We now know when and how the Universe may truly end

      By +pmrd · Posted

      Anybody that thinks flying cars were possible are idiots. Everyone would basically need a pilot liscence, can you imagine how insane and dangerous that would be.
    • Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.80

      By Copernic · Posted

      Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.80 by Razvan Serea Microsoft Edge is a super fast and secure web browser from Microsoft. It works on almost any device, including PCs, iPhones and Androids. It keeps you safe online, protects your privacy, and lets you browse the web quickly. You can even use it on all your devices and keep your browsing history and favorites synced up. Built on the same technology as Chrome, Microsoft Edge has additional built-in features like Startup boost and Sleeping tabs, which boost your browsing experience with world class performance and speed that are optimized to work best with Windows. Microsoft Edge security and privacy features such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Password Monitor, InPrivate search, and Kids Mode help keep you and your loved ones protected and secure online. Microsoft Edge has features to keep both you and your family protected. Enable content filters and access activity reports with your Microsoft Family Safety account and experience a kid-friendly web with Kids Mode. The new Microsoft Edge is now compatible with your favorite extensions, so it’s easy to personalize your browsing experience. Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.80 changelog: Fixes Fixed an issue that prevented QR code generation from working. Feature updates Intune MAM Protected Downloads. The protected downloads feature for Intune MAM will now save downloaded files to the Documents > Microsoft Edge > Downloads folder in OneDrive. Extensions monitoring in the Edge management service. The Microsoft Edge management service now allows admins to gain visibility into extensions installed across their managed users. From the extensions monitoring page, admins can see which extensions have been installed as well as manage user requests for blocked extensions. For more information, see Microsoft Edge Extensions Monitoring. Validate Edge builds early with enterprise preview. Enterprise preview provides a simpler way for admins to flight pre-release Edge builds to their users. To reduce friction and bolster usage, users will receive pre-release builds directly inside of their Stable Edge application. Admins can allow users to easily opt-out of the preview experience, using built-in rollback to switch between their pre-release and stable channels with ease. Microsoft 365 admin center users can configure the feature, view their flighting population, and receive personalized recommendations all in one place. For more information, see Get started with Enterprise Preview in Microsoft Edge. Download: Microsoft Edge (64-bit) | 193.0 MB (Freeware) Download: Microsoft Edge (32-bit) | 170.0 MB Download: Microsoft Edge (ARM64) | 188.0 MB View: Microsoft Edge Website | Release History Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Waymo recalls self-driving software after cars enter closed freeway work zones

      By Slugsie · Posted

      The machines are starting to fight back any way they can.
    • Linux 7.1 arrives with an NTFS overhaul and major hardware performance boosts

      By Accuphase · Posted

      No news articles about the Arch Linux repo being majorly infected with malware?!?
    • Waymo recalls self-driving software after cars enter closed freeway work zones

      By zikalify · Posted

      Waymo recalls self-driving software after cars enter closed freeway work zones by Paul Hill Waymo, the self-driving car maker owned by Alphabet – the parent company of Google –, has recalled some of its fifth-generation Automated Driving Systems (ADS). It did so after some of its cars drove through closed construction zones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected vehicles were capable of driving through a closed freeway construction zone and continuing to drive at speed. The listing on the NHTSA website says that Waymo is currently developing a solution to fix this issue, but in the meantime, freeway driving is being restricted. Waymo will update its ADS software so that vehicles can detect when they can avoid entering construction zones. According to the Safety Recall Report, on April 20, 2026, Waymo’s Field Safety Committee began meetings reviewing an event from April 11, 2026, and five events from April 19, 2026, where Waymo’s autonomous vehicles didn’t recognize and drove past ramp closure signs into the pre-planned freeway construction zones. This took place in Phoenix, Arizona. Separately, on May 18, 2026, seven Waymo vehicles entered freeway lanes with active construction in the San Francisco Bay Area by driving between cones that were placed to show the lane was closed. On the back of both of these events, Waymo restricted freeway driving until it could address the issue. In June, Waymo’s Safety Board reviewed the issue and additional information related to ADS performances around construction zones; then, as a result, it decided to conduct a recall. This development is not good for Waymo as it adds to a growing list of technical hiccups its cars have experienced. Ultimately, it will lead to more scrutiny from lawmakers around the world who will be more cautious about letting autonomous vehicles on their roads without tighter regulation. For readers in areas where Waymo operates, does this news make you more wary about stepping into one of these vehicles?

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      BizSAR earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      599
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      190
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      79
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      77
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      69
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!