How to retrieve the windows 8.1 license key without doing a factory reset?

[soul_creux]

sorry, its my second thread of the same problem.. i don't want to reset my deactivated windows8.1 w/c come preinstalled on my laptop when i bought it.. is there any way to retrieve the product key to activate it again w/o doing a factory reset? i accendentally used a kmsactivator thats why it got deactivated. i tried to restore it via restore point but it doesn't revert it back to activated state. i hope someone could help me, and explain the steps i can do..

 

[Saga Lout]

You forgot to say you were trying to activate a pirated copy of MS Office when this all went wrong. That's just one cost of using pirated software.

The answer is no, you can't find it without reverting to factory settings and when you get it up and rnning, download a copy of LibreOffice. Reinstallaing all your other apps should take long enough to remind you not to do this again.

 

[soul_creux]

i guess thats is my only option.. Gosh i hate that activator.. btw, would the factory reset delete the files on other partition of my hard disk?

 

[Saga Lout]

Yes it will but your saviour there is a version of Linux which can run as a LiveCD in RAM and not impact on the hard disk at all. It will, however, give you access to the files on the second partition and allow you to transfer them to a USB drive. A good version is PCLinuxOS from http://www.pclinuxos.com but many others can do the same. Google for Linux Mint, for example.

 

[soul_creux]

hmmmmm, btw, do they still stick the product key under the laptop itself?? i didn't check it last night if it was there? but i check the leaflets that comes with it in the box.

 

[soul_creux]

and, as i've learned. doing a factory reset will also ask a product key after.. what should i do..

 

[Saga Lout]

I'm told Windows 8 key is only embedded in the BIOS and there is no CoA but I think it's worth taking out the battery to see if there's one stuck in that cavity. You could try MagicalJellyBean Finder or perhaps better still, the Belarc Adviser - I'm sure the key must be in the Registry somewhere.

 

[soul_creux]

hmmmmm, i'll try that magicjellybean finder first before doing a reset.. i hope this could lead me to something better than a factory reset.. :/

 

[Saga Lout]

Just by the way, I still don't think you deserve any help on this but some indication that you won't be pirating software in the future would be nice.

 

[soul_creux]

i don't think so.. i've learned my lesson already and it sucks so see a "Windows 8.1 Single Language Build 9600" on the screen..

 

[Saga Lout]

Is that all you see in white print on a black screen? That could be Safe Mode trying to load

 

[soul_creux]

all fixed, i found a script that enable me to extract the key tru cmd promt.. i'm relieved now. )