Finding my windows 8 OEM serial

[veer01_42]

As the title says, How do i get my windows 8 OEM serial for a reinstall.

I accidentally botched my Win 8 install before i could run magic jellybean keyfinder. I got m hands on a windows 8 AIO iso but it is asking for me to manually input the serial. Anyone have any answers as how to handle this?

[Clintlgm]

Yes you may need to use a generic key to start the clean install, but that key will activate
Windows 8.1 Single Language Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
Windows 8.1 Core 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

You do have to install the same as the key is for Pro will not activate with a OEM Core product key.
Get your ISO here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media These ISO's usually install and activate without issue.
If your still having issues http://www.eightforums.com/gtsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7156303416008077%3A205v6qk06j2&cof=FORID%3A9&...

[skidoo]

Clintlgm wrote:
Yes you may need to use a generic key to start the clean install, but that key will activate
Windows 8.1 Single Language Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
Windows 8.1 Core 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

You do have to install the same as the key is for Pro will not activate with a OEM Core product key.
Get your ISO here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media These ISO's usually install and activate without issue.
If your still having issues http://www.eightforums.com/gtsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7156303416008077%3A205v6qk06j2&cof=FORID%3A9&...

OK...will do...
thanks Clint

[aleksandar_corb]

dude to find your oem win 8 serial first download
rweverithing.com
go to downloads and download rw portable 1.6.7. Start rw.exe inside zip , then on top taskbar you'll see ACPI click it and will open new table. On that table find MSDM and there you' ll see you're serial number. I hope i help someone.

[skidoo]

aleksandar_corbeski wrote:
dude to find your oem win 8 serial first download
rweverithing.com
go to downloads and download rw portable 1.6.7. Start rw.exe inside zip , then on top taskbar you'll see ACPI click it and will open new table. On that table find MSDM and there you' ll see you're serial number. I hope i help someone.

yes, that part works....the problem I encountered is using that key ( the same key # shows up using several suggested programs )..
but for some reason, Microsoft wont accept that key...says it is not valid.
thus the difficulty in installing.

I am going to run a dual boot, so at some time soon, I will re attempt this whole saga again....lets see what happens.
As for the dual boot, it's a software issue, and plus, I want to skip win 8 altogether for win 10.

I think when I tried this, I was using the win 8 core...
but maybe clints suggestion using the now Win 8.1 iso might work better, with the serial supplied.

Otherwise, its a call to Microsoft I suppose.

[Clintlgm]

This link will take you too a program called show key, it will show you all the keys used on your computer it will show you what product you actually have. The key stored in the Registry is not always the correct one. http://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkey.html

Look here for step x step. http://www.eightforums.com/gtsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7156303416008077%3A205v6qk06j2&cof=FORID%3A9&...

Use a generic key to get it started.
Windows 8.1 Single Language Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
Windows 8.1 Core 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Once you install the correct version your UEFI embedded product key will activate

[Korth]

lol, why do people make things so difficult? - https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Alternately, you can use one of Microsoft's generic Win8 keys (there's quite a few to choose from). These are "placeholder" keys intended to allow a Win8 install or imaging (for bulk-license deployment), but they cannot be used for (and will be rejected by) Win8 Activation.
Windows 8.1: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

The Win8 key is indeed stored in the Registry, but not in plaintext (it is scrambled as a barrier vs casual piracy). The readable "Product ID Key" in the Registry is also unique for each copy, but it serves a different purpose and is of no use during the OS install.

Installing a Media Center Pack overwrites the Win8 key with its own and recovering the Win8 key then becomes a bit involved. If Media Center Pack is already installed on your machine then it's probably best to contact Microsoft Support so they can assign you a new Win8 key.

Clean bootable Win7/8.x images are free public downloads at the Microsoft site. Anyone can install as many copies of these "Home/Basic Edition" WinOS as they like on any computers they like for nothing more than the price of a puny USB stick, and each copy will work for 30 days (on or off the internet) without any issues other than daily reminders about pending Product Activation and Windows Updates. But Activating a copy of Windows requires a Windows product key and an active internet connection (so Microsoft's database can log the OS key and assign a new product-specific GUID for future updates and records).

If you have a Windows sticker with a Windows key somewhere on or in your computer (look underneath laptop battery, etc) then use it. Otherwise you must somehow convince Microsoft to issue a new one and remotely Activate your product (which still "hides" the key from you, lol), or you must purchase a key from their site (which is only valid for one Windows version on one machine), or you must purchase an actual WinOS install disc (which allows you to install the Windows on any machines you like so long as only one is Active at any time).

[GottiBoi55]

This will show you your OEM product key, using this "command prompt" below.
Windows OEM keys are now embedded in the BIOS an linked to the motherboard, windows started this method with 8, and 8.1.
Once you find your OEM key, you can activate windows with that key.
If you NB came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled this will work.

Note: you can only use your product key on the same Windows version that came perinstalled from the factory (Home for Home, Pro for Pro).

1. Open command prompt as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the command below, then hit enter.

powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey"

If you have a problem, just use the "Activate per phone" option, will give you a code to enter for activation.
I had to do the "phone activation" when I upgraded to the PRO version.
Just make sure when the question comes up, "How many Activations for this Key" answer zero, or activation will not work. (you will not get the activation code)
That's a tricky question, you may think, "well the one from the factory install, plus this one".
Nope answer zero, trust be it happened to me, so take my word on that.
I had to talk to a Microsoft rep an explain that this was the only PC for this activation key.
(Long story short, I tested Window 8 Pro with that key on my G75VW, but uninstalled it)
Only then was I able to get the code to activate Windows.

PS: Make sure you have a pen handy to write down the activation code.

Hope this helps?