📎 AI Summary:
The forum thread discusses the challenge of retrieving a Windows product key after reinstalling a different OS, specifically focusing on a user who has Windows 8 embedded in the BIOS but moved to Windows 7. Several contributors explain that Windows 8 keys are often embedded in the motherboard's UEFI BIOS, making retrieval possible through certain tools or installation methods, while Windows 7 keys are typically stored on a COA sticker. The overall consensus is that OEM keys are stored in BIOS for Windows 8, facilitating reinstallation without manual key entry, and some clarification is provided regarding the capabilities and limitations of key recovery tools.
Veronika0x96

Veronika0x96

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Apr 13, 2014
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Thread Author #1
Hello,
few months ago I bought a new laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed. After some time, I installed W7 again and now I want to go back to W8. But unfortunately, I found out that my laptop has no product key sticker on it, I can't even find any certificate in the box that my laptop came in. Is there a way to find out the product key when I have W7 installed right now or did I completely lose my license by installing another OS?

Thanks in advance,
Veronika
 

Solution
Veronika0x96
IHello again, I finally figured it out. I downloaded Windows 8 x64 MSDN DVD ISO, made a bootable usb stick a installed it, it didn't even ask for the key, so it recognized the oem key embedded to my bios. Windows says my licence is valid and everything is working just fine,
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ussnorway

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
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May 22, 2012
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4,599
#21
Veronika0x96 said:
It says my windows is activated, everything works fine
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That's good news!

I think we should clarify something here;

OEM key = legacy computers upto windows 7… the sticker on the bottom of the laptop has a serial key printed on it.

MSDM key = windows 8 and above… the sticker on the bottom of the laptop DOESN'T have a serial key printed on it but there is a hidden copy of the serial stored in the motherboards electronics.

Note: I don't recommend using older key finders like jellybean on new windows laptops because the encryption has changed since and they can report inaccurate serial keys.
 

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