Windows 10: Retrieve original activation code for win10-Pro? Alternatively, get a new key?

I have several Dell Inspirion 660 win10 computers, but only one with the win10 Pro-edition . When I tried to start that one up today after a few months of inactivity, mouse and keyboard would not load, regardless what I tried. I have had quite a few older hard drives fail over the past year, including backups while I was trying to recover, so there is no functional backup left of that specific hard drive.


I plugged in a home edition bootable drive, and that one started up OK, but showed the win10-home ID.

When I tried to change the key, I couldn't because I don't have it.


I plugged in the original drive in a USB-enclosure. That seemed OK, with all non-hidden files intact and no disk error message after connecting. I used admin command line to check for original key, it returned nothing.

I also used 2 small 3rd-party programs that supposedly can find the key in BIOS or UEFI? file or in the windows directory. First one said it couldn't open that UEFI file, second retrieved the ID as shown in the basic system info screen when you click on 'system' in the old control panel, but could not find the original key.
I do have a picture of that system screen that shows it's the 64-bit Pro edition and the ID code 4 x 5 numbers/letters, but does not show the activation key.


Computer still has a DELL service tag, but no Microsoft ID sticker.

I also don't have emails form that go that far back, so I'm stuck.


I've download the win10 ISO-file today.
I have not figured out how to bypass the start-up of the original hard drive to get into the recovery partition to 'reset' the original drive. If the drive doesn't die on me while reinstalling, that might resolve the problem. MIGHT, haven't tried that yet.

I've also been thinking about installing PRO on top of the newer home-edition drive, in the hope it would recover the original activation key from the BIOS/EEFI. Would that work if those key-retrieval programs claim they can't find it?

Help and suggestion would be appreciated. TIA.

:)

 

Win10 Pro Product Key on old machine needed for new one

No you retrieved the currently installed key from the correct place but it is the generic key, not the one you used to activate. The generic key cannot activate a new install of Windows.

Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

As dalchina asked in post #2...

How did you originally activate your Win 10?
What does @Superfly's ShowKeyPlus tell you? This can show you the original key in addition to the currently installed key.

 

Win10 Pro Key & Activation

Hi,

I have a copy of Windows 8.1 Pro which I upgraded during the free upgrade time to Win10 Pro. Nothing has changed in my system except a new video card (other one failed :-( ).

I thought good time to clear out and start again with a new install. I used a keyfinder ( I tried it on existing copy of Win8,1 - showed correct results) to obtain Win10 Pro CD Key and made a not of this.

Put an .iso of Win10 onto a USB key and installed successfully the software.

When I try to enter the CD key & activate, I get error code 0x87E105DC

Could anyone please advise?

Many thanks,

Mark

 

Retrieving original activation key for windows


Just FYI, what is listed as "Windows 10" on the Media Creation Tool is multi edition. It can install Home or Pro. If an embedded key is detected it will auto match the edition and you won't be asked to select Home or Pro, or be asked for a product key. If no key is detected, or the key is for a version not supported by that ISO, you'll be prompted to select Home or Pro, and enter a key. For the current latest build anyway. Older builds would not use Windows 8/8.1 keys.