Windows 10: A Stupid Question About Windows 10 Product Keys

showkey shows that same key for 10240 for me. It was originally an upgrade from Windows 7 and then many many build updates via Windows update after that. The last one was from 10166 to 10240.

 

Does that PC have a Windows 8/8.1 embedded OEM key?

 

Have checked 2 systems running w10 upgraded from 7 originally through various updates to 10240.
They have 2 different product licenses but the same key. the same as others are reporting.
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66TI guess this is now the key used by insiders and hence when you do a clean install it requests the original
7/8.1 key to check that you are eligble for a free copy

 

Using Showkey it did not detect any OEM product code, but when I built the computer in Feb. 2015 I originally bought a Windows 8 OEM disc. Since then I have;

1. Installed Windows 8.1 over the original Windows 8
2. Installed build 10130 over Windows 8.1
3. Clean installed Windows 10166
4. Clean installed Windows 8.1 using my original product key that came with the OEM Windows 8 disc
5. Installed 10240 over my clean install of Windows 8.1

Considering all this, I would think that Showkey should show my Windows 8.1 product key, but the screen said "OEM key not present in firmware" which is weird because I just clean installed my Windows 8.1 about 10 days ago, and I was prompted for and entered my product key. Now the product key that shows up in Showkey is a pretty odd one that begins with 'YTMG3'. Of course when I go to the activation screen it indicates that my copy of Windows is activated, but I am still curious as to what is going on.

 

It's showing "OEM key not present in firmware" because your OEM key isn't in the firmware/BIOS. You bought a stand alone OEM version that uses an OEM key but that key is not embedded in your motherboards BIOS. Only OEM PC's with Windows installed at the factory have an embedded key. You have to type your key in on install and then its stored in the BIOS registry. If you clean install and wipe the previous Windows install all record of that key is erased with it.

 

Well that solves one question, but I am still curious as to the nature of the Windows 10 product key. I wonder why it is so odd.

 

Each new version of Windows uses a new algorithm to generate and check product keys. XP keys will not work in Vista, Vista keys will not work in Windows 7, Windows 7 keys will not work in Windows 8, etc. Every Microsoft OS has its own algorithm and its own set of keys that only work in that OS. Beta/Preview versions usually also have their own set of keys that will not work in the final version. Obviously to stop somebody from stealing a free ride. *Wink

 

So then why do so many people that are using preview versions of Windows 10 all use the same product key? They are listed here at the forum, on various blogs and at Microsoft sites as well. But yet I use a key finder and find out that my Windows 10 product key is vastly different than any that I have seen before. That might not mean anything in the big picture of life, but I am curious.

 

Because its still only the Preview (Beta) version. Everybody that clean installed 10 Home likely has the same key, same deal if you clean installed 10 Pro. Upgrades are yet another key, likely depending on what you upgraded from. Windows 7 may get you one key and an upgrade from Windows 8 another. All these keys are time limited and will expire at some point and they will not be activated anymore. Do the free upgrade on the 29th and I bet you get a key that nobody else has. That will be your official key and the one you would use to clean install with later on. Microsoft isn't going to get carried away with generating a ton of special individual keys just for a preview. Especially if they know your going to record them, and maybe try to reuse them latter on. *Wink I'm not saying you personally, just a "you" generally. because you know somebodies going to try it to see if they can cheat and get another free version of 10 for a PC that doesn't qualify. One running vista for example. I went from 10074 to 10240, updating to each new build on the way. My key changed 3 times in the process. That was 6, 7 or more updates, I've lost track now.

 

I decided to check my 2 laptops bought at the same time both ASUS k53e I5 (his and her's) with Belarc Advisor.
They automatically activated on first boot. Obviously key is embedded in the bios.
They both have identical product licenses and keys:-
key: 2QDBX-9T8HR-xxxxxxxxxxxxx
license: 00359-OEM-8992687-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

MS update to RTM/GP must surely have a different process when updating OEM systems.
Should I update one to 10 they surely cant invalidate the key for use for 7 on the other or probably thousands of other ASUS laptops.
Is there any definitive information around regarding OEM systems

 

If they are running Windows 7 factory OEM installs, the keys are not embedded in the BIOS. They are stored in the Windows registry. Only Windows 8 uses embedded keys, Windows 10 likely too. Microsoft will not be able to invalidate that key, like you said its in use by thousands of ASUS laptops of that same make and model. All the OEM's do it that way for Windows 7, Dell has their keys, HP theirs, etc. They will have a different key for each version of Windows 7 but will use that same key for every version of say Home premium they install. I have no idea how Microsoft will handle Windows 7 OEM installs. They may ask for the code on the COA sticker. That key will be unique to that PC its stuck to.

 

Alphanumeric - Thanks for the information, I had assumed it was embedded in the bios.

 

There is OEM info in the BIOS SLIC table but no actual Product code is stored there. The custom OEM install media determines what version of Windows 7 is installed and what key is entered/used. If you tried to use that code with normal install media it would fail activation. Even on those laptops. Its done that way on purpose. The code on the COA sticker is the one you use with regular non OEM install media, that's why its there.

 

Speccy will also show you the Windows product key.

 

Yes but which key? The one embedded in the BIOS or the one Windows is currently using? For most people they will be the same key, but for some they will be different. Mine are different, and show key will show me both keys. What utility you use depends on what key your looking for. *Wink