How long do i have before it expires(if it does)

[BeatboxingFTW]

Hello i recently have built a new gaming pc and previously my 1tb hdd was connected to a stock motherboard from a stock pc and when i install that hdd on my new gaming pc it says i got to activate windows 8, and i dont have the cd key because it came pre installed on the computer and i no longer have the option to call microsoft on windows 8 because i have been so stupid to try to find a windows 8 key for free, and also, about every 3 hours i get like a pop up that takes me off anything im doing to tell m to activate windows 8. So the question is how much time do i have before it expires and i really have to buy it

 

[ThatVietGuy]

It's going to do this for about a month before it completely shuts off and refuses to work. So, YES, you HAVE TO buy a new version of Windows.

 

[Entomber]

it gives you 30 days before it becomes deactivated. Prebuilt PCs come with what's called an OEM license, which basically means that copy of Windows is bound to that specific machine. It's unlikely that you would be able to transfer it to your new computer even through Microsoft Customer Support, but that's a method you could try.

 

[USAFRet]

"So the question is how much time do i have before it expires and i really have to buy it "

Yesterday.

There is no 'free' key.
1 license, 1 PC. That license belongs to that original PC.