How Do I Find My Windows 8.1 Product Key On A Toshiba Laptop

TheCraftingProz

Reputable
May 1, 2015
52
0
4,630
I have a Toshiba laptop that apparently came with a fully activated copy of Windows. I want to completely re-install Windows because of bloatware, but I can't find my Product Key to do so. There is no sticker on the laptop or anything. How do I find it?
 
Solution
Here are four utilities, all of which will may display your product keys if they are still there:
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
(It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

Also: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
and: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
and RockXP: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html which has additional features



How to reinstall Windows 8

You have a couple options:

If you would like to reinstall Windows 8, which means removing apps and personal files and settings, you can use reset and refresh. This is equivalent to a clean install.

To do it, do the following:

· Press Windows key + i on your keyboard to show the Charms bar (If...

lastnewbie

Honorable
Dec 21, 2013
37
0
10,560
Here are four utilities, all of which will may display your product keys if they are still there:
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
(It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

Also: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
and: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
and RockXP: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html which has additional features



How to reinstall Windows 8

You have a couple options:

If you would like to reinstall Windows 8, which means removing apps and personal files and settings, you can use reset and refresh. This is equivalent to a clean install.

To do it, do the following:

· Press Windows key + i on your keyboard to show the Charms bar (If you are using a touchscreen: Touch the right edge of your screen and swipe your finger to the left)

· Click Settings

· Click Change PC settings

· Click General in the left column

· Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, click Get started

Then follow the instructions that will be provided on the screen to reinstall Windows on your PC.

Option 2:

If you create a installation DVD or Bootable thumbdrive, you can use that to reinstall Windows. First, you will need to reinstall the qualifying license, then start the upgrade again to Windows 8. Qualifying license means you will either need to reinstall Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7.

Option 3:

A workaround for this situation is to create a system image of Windows 8 just after you have upgraded. So if your drive does crash, you can simply restore the image on a new hard disk or restore the image on the same drive if you just want to reinstall Windos 8.

See the following for instructions about how to create a system image of your Windows 8 installation:

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/24/how-to-backup-your-installation-of-windows-7/

(references Windows 7, but the same principles apply to Windows 8).

Source: answers.microsoft.com
 
Solution

trampus123

Distinguished
Dec 31, 2007
521
0
19,160
the key is in the bios you can use adia64 to find the key.
http://www.aida64.com/
Before you do a reinstall off a OEM or a retail copy look to see if all drivers are on Toshiba website.
I would just uninstall all the bloatware after a system recovery
 

TheCraftingProz

Reputable
May 1, 2015
52
0
4,630


Thank you!

 

TheCraftingProz

Reputable
May 1, 2015
52
0
4,630


Hmmm, you said that the BIOS stores the key. Is that why when I re-installed Windows it didn't ask me for it? What would happen if I cleared the CMOS? Would the key stay?