How do I find my Windows 8 Product Key?

[diamondhindend]

When I bought the computer it already had windows 8 installed. All I had to do was setup the account and customize the settings.

Usually the product key is on the box that came with the CD, right? Well if that's the case where do I find my product key? My computer didn't come with a windows 8 installation CD.

 

[memadmax]

Use magicjellybean, its a utility(google it)

 

[Martell1977]

You can call the manufacturer and request a Windows 8 DVD. There is usually a sticker on the side of an OEM computer (bottom for laptops) with the key. I have done this for clients several times with Dell and HP, and they got their DVD each time. If there is no sticker on the computer, check the paperwork that came in the box for a "certificate of Authenticity" that should have the sticker or code.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

MS requires that the peeps who built ya machine apply the sticker somewhere on the case.... looked inside ?

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Run Belarc and when it produces report, click on "Software Licenses"

 

[wickedcinderella]

If you have an acer then you will have to purchase the windows program from MS. Acer holds a group license and they will not give you a product key. Nor is there a sticker. If you actually read the first `agree to` terms when you first turn on your computer out of the box` you will see that you are agreeing that acer and their partners are allowed access to your computer. Such as a program called soluto that monitors your pc`s hardware. I contacted them to find out what gave them permission to access my computer. They talked like its no big deal and they only keep track of cpu speed and errors. But my issue...if they are accessing it who else is??!!!
So sorry I purchased from acer. see lawsuit judgement on acer website. they had issues with recovery media in the past. apparently millions of dollars paid to litigants is bing recouped by new customers.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[wickedcinderella]

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

And how woould that be downloaded? My issue is cant wven get bils to run due to F2 and F 12 not working. alt f10 does nothing and it wont read my recovery discs. will have to scrub and do clean install after purchasing windows program.

 

[Nang-a-nator]

Surprised no one has mentioned this. If the machine was sold with Windows 8 Pre-Installed chances are the machine is using a UEFI bios with a secure section which contains the activation features of windows 8. Look for a little Windows 8 sticker (the size of an intel inside sticker) on the case. It wont have a key on it but if there is one there chances are your "key" is embedded in the secure section of your BIOS. Microsoft is using this embedded licensing model to fight software piracy as OEM licenses are supposed to live and die with the OEM hardware (Hence why OEM version are heavily subsidized over retail channels).

 

[midge63]

Ya know, I originally got to this page by asking the same question...how to find the product key. After reading the comments and answers, I had to get in on it and make a comment. Thank you all by the way for your expertise and helping before I rant....lol.

Its a load of crap that you have to let your license die with the computer. It was bought and paid for and should be yours to take with you to another computer if you want. I agree with not being allowed to have it on more than one computer without paying for it, they are trying to make a profit and that is fair but so is allowing to keep your purchase.
I use office a lot but don't really need a lot of bells and whistles so I'm still using the 2007 version. My computer didn't come with office, I couldn't afford a new office version. My old computer died so I took my office software that I bought with my old one and am now using it on my new one. It is bought and paid for and I believe thats how it should be!!!! It is on my computer only, I do not share it and thats how it should be. Sorry I just couldn't let it go.....lol!

 

[Lucas Gallardo]

OEM licenses are supposed to live and die with the OEM hardware (Hence why OEM version are heavily subsidized over retail channels).

I did learn that the hard way and had to re-purchase Windows 8 in order to make a clean install in English (My computer came with a Chinese OS and turns out you can't change language on Windows 8 OEM)

OEM Windows has many more limitation that nobody tells you about and that is the part that really got me frustrated. When you buy a new computer it says "Windows 8" on the box when what you really get is "Windows 8 LITE"!!!

I rather pay more and get a fully functional OS than saving 50$ to get a system full of limitations. In any case this practice is dodgy as it is never made clear to the consumer that what they are getting is NOT what is written on the box!

In my case I ended up spending an extra 120$ for Windows 8 and wasting whatever I paid for the licence that came with my laptop to get what I thought I was getting in the first place and that can't be right!

 

[cvyoung2]

Ya know, I originally got to this page by asking the same question...how to find the product key. After reading the comments and answers, I had to get in on it and make a comment. Thank you all by the way for your expertise and helping before I rant....lol.

Its a load of crap that you have to let your license die with the computer. It was bought and paid for and should be yours to take with you to another computer if you want. I agree with not being allowed to have it on more than one computer without paying for it, they are trying to make a profit and that is fair but so is allowing to keep your purchase.
I use office a lot but don't really need a lot of bells and whistles so I'm still using the 2007 version. My computer didn't come with office, I couldn't afford a new office version. My old computer died so I took my office software that I bought with my old one and am now using it on my new one. It is bought and paid for and I believe thats how it should be!!!! It is on my computer only, I do not share it and thats how it should be. Sorry I just couldn't let it go.....lol!

If you work for a larger organization, check with your IT department on their contract with Microsoft. Many have negotiated an "Employee Purchase" deal for the current version of MS Office Professional (read that "MS Office with everything". It cost me $10. Alternatively, go to your local community college and buy a version there. it is usually pretty heavily discounted.
As for the OS, you can download current versions of supported OS from Digital River. you just need a valid license to activate it.