I think someone stole my product key

[wunkey141]

A month or two ago i went on my windows 8 computer and it told me that someone else is currently using my product key! I think someone might've stole it! What can i do without paying another $100 for a new one? Thanks

 

[4745454b]

Where did you buy your copy from?

 

[wunkey141]

It was OEM from Staples.

 

[4745454b]

Is there a number the error msg gives you to call? I get the feeling you'll need to call MS and give them numbers on the disk itself.

 

[uplink-svk]

wunkey141 - solution is extremely simple. Make a photo of Your license, send it to microsoft with a request of deactivating it on all devices, where it has been activated, and keeping it only on Your computer/notebook. Give them serial number of Your motherboard/notebook, which it will be paired with.

 

[wunkey141]

It doesn't necessarily have an error message, but i tried using a keyfinder to find my product key. I entered it into the activation box and it said that it exceeded its unlock limit. https://www.dropbox.com/s/iqkw5jt4itil5l0/Capture.PNG?dl=0

 

[wunkey141]

uplink-sck, there is no sticker on my PC that has the product key and stuff

 

[4745454b]

Did you buy an OEM copy of windows 8, or a machine with windows 8 already installed on it? If you used a keyfinder to find the key on an OEM machine you'll get that msg. That's because OEMs use a special way to activate windows, and it uses the same key for all units. If you are trying to reinstall windows you can't use that key, you have to use the key on the side/under the computer. On the COA. That key should work fine.

 

[wunkey141]

My computer is OEM. I could show you another picture that says i need to activate windows- https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbqo0p9czi8pbdr/Screenshot%202014-11-23%2016.15.06.png?dl=0
and a keyfinder screenshot- https://www.dropbox.com/s/by5wdh5h8ga67lu/Capture2.PNG?dl=0

 

[wunkey141]

and windows was preinstalled when i bought it

 

[4745454b]

I wish people would write out what's going on other then calling for help....

So to sum up, it goes like this. You bought a machine at some point. It probably had windows on it already. Then you got a copy of win8 from staples at some point. I'm fuzzy as to what key the keyfinder looked up. The one on the machine, or the copy of windows 8 that you bought? You said the computer doesn't have a sticker on it, but the copy of windows 8 that you bought should have a sticker. You have to use the key on the COA. Period. The one the keyfinder finds might just be the OEM key used, read my previous post for that info.

 

[wunkey141]

I found the solution my dad had the sticker and i used it. But anyways thanks 4745454b and uplink-svk for your time. Thanks again