windows 8 genuine check
- Thread starter kreiger
- Start date
DiaSin
Honorable
- Feb 7, 2013
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If you bought this from a legitimate vendor it will be genuine windows. Check under the battery for the Product-Key sticker if its not on the bottom of the laptop. If your laptop does not have a product key sticker and you bought it from a legitimate vendor contact them to find out why the key is not there.
Run this tool for windows verification: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/exe-validation.aspx?id=91
Run this tool for windows verification: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/exe-validation.aspx?id=91
- May 16, 2006
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If the unit shipped with Windows 8 and you bought it from a major OEM like Dell or Asus, check the activation status. If the OS is able to acivate, your copy is legit. OEM machines do not have product keys on the COA sticker anymore, as they are encoded in the BIOS. You can use a key finder app to get the key, but it won't do you any good on any other machine, or with a retail copy of Windows 8.
- May 16, 2006
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The would be a pretty safe assumption. If Dell was using illegal keys, news outlets would be reporting it.
the great randini
Distinguished
- Dec 23, 2011
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i bet it is a lenovo, for some reason they no longer put stickers on them and big box stores will tell you that you need to contact them for the number.
- May 16, 2006
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If the drive fails, you contact the OEM for a replacement as usual. If you decide to install your own drive in the meantime (assuming the OEM will send you a replacement before you return the defective one instead of making you ship them the whole unit) you would need to install your own copy, or have made a recovery disk ahead of time. If you are using a prebuilt machine that has it's own custom recovery image, search the Settings section of the Start Screen for "Create a Recovery drive". Should take you right to it.
Not just Lenovo that does this. I know for a fact that Asus does it as well, as I have bought Asus systems that shipped with Windows 8. I suspect the rest of them do too. I can't say from first-hand knowledge though... I would only be guessing on the other manufacturers.
dodger46
Splendid
- Nov 19, 2011
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"If you decide to install your own drive in the meantime (assuming the OEM will send you a replacement before you return the defective one instead of making you ship them the whole unit) you would need to install your own copy, or have made a recovery disk ahead of time."
Bit tricky if the failed disk won't run a keyfinder! Installation Media won't complete without a valid key...
Bit tricky if the failed disk won't run a keyfinder! Installation Media won't complete without a valid key...
- May 16, 2006
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Not needed. If you install a retail copy, you have the key already and don't need a finder. If you create a recovery disk, it simply applies the image and doesn't ask for a key. When you boot the applied image for the first time and get into Windows, it will read the key from the BIOS and activate itself in the background.
dodger46
Splendid
- Nov 19, 2011
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Agreed, but how many actually go to the trouble of creating recovery disks? Next to none in my experience, and all too often I'm faced with laptops with a dead HDD and having to rely on my not inconsiderable supply of 'backup' OS installation software. Guess there will be a few more applications for recovery media from the manufacturers in future...
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