Recovering Windows key after I've began a factory reset.

[RighteousGamer]

So I began a factory reset on my PC, but after finally doing all the stuff with the missing media, I've learned that I need my product key. Now I know I can access it if I didn't start the factory reset, and could use CMD if I was still on to find it, but is it possible to still find it once I've began the factory reset. The issue is I boot directly into the installation of Windows.
Also, I'm aware this forum doesn't support piracy, but if I were to use a second hard drive and put a pirated copy of Windows on it, is it possible to then access the Windows product key with a third party program from my original drive. Then I could simply boot from the normal one and go back to my legitimate copy of Windows.
I've already attempted Microsoft support, and they simply told me how to do it if I had access to CMD.

 

[USAFRet]

No, that won't work.
What, specifically, do you mean by 'factory reset'?
And what OS is this?

 

[RighteousGamer]

This is Windows 8, and by factory reset I meant I went into "change PC settings" in the charm bar, went to "update and recovery", then to "recovery" and did "remove everything and reinstall Windows". Then I did whatever the more thorough one was to erase everything. (It was the second option once you did that) then it restarted and presented me with these pages. http://imgur.com/a/QPaUW

 

[USAFRet]

This is Windows 8, and by factory reset I meant I went into "change PC settings" in the charm bar, went to "update and recovery", then to "recovery" and did "remove everything and reinstall Windows". Then I did whatever the more thorough one was to erase everything. (It was the second option once you did that) then it restarted and presented me with these pages. http://imgur.com/a/QPaUW

Was this a preinstalled OS?

 

[RighteousGamer]

No, i installed it on the PC. (Custom build)

 

[USAFRet]

No, i installed it on the PC. (Custom build)

If its an OS you purchased, you probably have the license key around somewhere. In an email, perhaps.

But not, you can't retrieve it now. That has been overwritten.

 

[RighteousGamer]

Well, damn then. I guess I'm down to purchasing a new copy. I bought the physical copy so I have no idea where the box would be or if I even have it anymore.

 

[USAFRet]

Well, damn then. I guess I'm down to purchasing a new copy. I bought the physical copy so I have no idea where the box would be or if I even have it anymore.

Without that license key, you're pretty much stuck...🙁

 

[RighteousGamer]

One last question, if I have CMD open, and am getting scan error stating "Description = Not found" from this, wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey, does that mean it no longer exists and has been wiped.

 

[USAFRet]

One last question, if I have CMD open, and am getting scan error stating "Description = Not found" from this, wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey, does that mean it no longer exists and has been wiped.

Yes. It existed as part of the original OS install. "remove everything and reinstall Windows" wiped that out.

 

[RighteousGamer]

Welp, $&@!. Time to go either install Linux, buy another copy, or pirate it. Thank you for your help though, I would have struggled not knowing for a long time and I rather just know then think there is a chance and waste time.