windows 8 "sticker"

vixl2ds

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Dec 26, 2013
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I have find out this >

Microsoft has moved to a new activation method in Windows 8 which means you won’t find the typical COA sticker (Certificate of Authenticity) on the back or bottom of your machine. Instead, the Windows license serial is part of the BIOS/UEFI, which Windows will automatically pull from the chip upon the first installation as well as subsequent reinstalls (i.e. when you perform a full Windows 8 recovery). If that, for whatever reason, doesn’t work, you can easily retrieve the product key from Windows 8 using Magical Jellybean’s Keyfinder.

so how does it work? If I am to reinstall windows, will it ask for me for the activation key? Is it in the my BIOS? If I install W7 on thiis machine and then choose to return to W8, how do I get the key?

 
Solution
If you reinstall windows using the recovery partition it wont ask for the key.
As long as you don't delete any of the recovery partitions on the drive when you install windows 7 you shouldn't have any trouble restoring the original windows 8 when needed.
If in doubt use something like magical jellybeans keyfinder and simply write down your key for safe keeping.
I personally use this little program to view keys:
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Windows-8-Product-Key-Viewer-Download-241178.html

ShadyHamster

Distinguished
If you reinstall windows using the recovery partition it wont ask for the key.
As long as you don't delete any of the recovery partitions on the drive when you install windows 7 you shouldn't have any trouble restoring the original windows 8 when needed.
If in doubt use something like magical jellybeans keyfinder and simply write down your key for safe keeping.
I personally use this little program to view keys:
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Windows-8-Product-Key-Viewer-Download-241178.html
 
Solution

vixl2ds

Honorable
Dec 26, 2013
470
0
10,860

microsoft is one crazy organization...

so if I will reinstall from the recovery partition - it wont ask for the key?
if I delete the recovery partition - it will ask for the key?
if I do something like a full format, delete everything - will I be able to still search and find the key?
 

ShadyHamster

Distinguished


Did not know this, that's good to know.
My retail version always asks for a key, even the oem copy i bought always asks for a key.