[SOLVED] Any way to know the Windows version (Vista/7/8/8.1/10) for a non-working hard drive?

[Rodion15]

Any way to know the Windows version (Vista/7/8/8.1/10) for a non-working hard drive (but system files still accessible)?

I'd like to be able to plug a Windows boot hard drive with USB or similar and know the Windows version installed on it. I've read some posts out there but none that works for any OS from Vista to Windows 10.

Any help much welcome.

 

[punkncat]

I am confused.

Hard drive doesn't work, but you can still access files on it?

How's that?

 

[Rodion15]

I am confused.

Hard drive doesn't work, but you can still access files on it?

How's that?

Bad sectors, doesn't boot, but files can be access when connected with USB caddy.

 

[Colif]

Did you try any of these? https://www.windows-commandline.com/find-windows-os-version-from-command/

do you have a win 10 installer to use as boot drive?
On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

 

[Rodion15]

Did you try any of these? https://www.windows-commandline.com/find-windows-os-version-from-command/

do you have a win 10 installer to use as boot drive?
On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

Does this work for an externally attached drive? I'll check when I can.
Thank you

 

[USAFRet]

Why does the OS version matter on a mostly dying drive?
Power it up via a USB dock, retrieve whatever files you can, scrap the physical drive.

 

[Rodion15]

Why does the OS version matter on a mostly dying drive?
Power it up via a USB dock, retrieve whatever files you can, scrap the physical drive.

such as to call back my customer and ask "You've got Windows 8 installed, would you like it upgraded to Windows 10?" (obviously)

 

[USAFRet]

such as to call back my customer and ask "You've got Windows 8 installed, would you like it upgraded to Windows 10?" (obviously)

This then goes to...what system did this come out of?
Anything Win 7 or later can Upgrade to Win 10. But if the drive is not working, you'll need the license key.
If it was preinstalled in a prebuilt system, you won't be able to retrieve that.
If it was an OS that they purchased and installed, then maybe they have the original email, listing the license key.

 

[Rodion15]

This then goes to...what system did this come out of?
Anything Win 7 or later can Upgrade to Win 10. But if the drive is not working, you'll need the license key.
If it was preinstalled in a prebuilt system, you won't be able to retrieve that.
If it was an OS that they purchased and installed, then maybe they have the original email, listing the license key.

Yes you can, from the registry. Let me come back to you when I have a more whole answer.

 

[Alabalcho]

Go to Windows\System32 folder, right-click on eg winver.exe, Properties, go to Details - you'll see Widows version there.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you can, from the registry. Let me come back to you when I have a more whole answer.

Possibly here:

How to Recover Software Product Keys From Any Computer, Even a Broken One Product keys are becoming less and less common these days, but if you have a piece of software on your computer---and can't find its product key---this simple program can help you extract it. www.howtogeek.com