Windows 10: Where in the BIOS does MS store the Win10 key

That still seems crazy to me.
I thought manufacturers did not put a key in BIOS prior to Windows 8 (release)
If they purchased the PC after 8 was released, and downgraded it from 8, to Vista, to XP that might be why.
Or, if it is some kind of "BETA" board from well before Win 8 was released.
I don't know, just weird imho.

 

If I remember right, ShowkeyPlus says it found a Vista marker, but it doesn't show a BIOS embedded key for Vista.

 

SLP (system locked pre-installation) has been around since XP.

System Locked Pre-installation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The version used by XP, Vista, and 7 reportedly didn't embed a unique key in each board's BIOS. I believe that a custom OS installer that matched the SLP code was required.

I have no idea what a keyfinder would give for a system that began life under Vista. It couldn't be a license key from the BIOS because the SLP code from that era isn't one.

 

Here's the story for the Vista "product key" stored in BIOS:
Windows Vista/7 OEM – Applying OEM System Locked Preinstallation Activation using the Activation and Backup Recovery Program – The Unofficial Windows 10 Reinstallation Guide

 

The author of this guide (Philip Yip) produces very many good and well informed guides and youtube videos. He really does know what he is talking about.

 

As mentioned, Windows 7 and earlier do not store a key in the BIOS. There is an OEM identifier, but no actual product key is stored there. Only OEM activation version 3.0 and higher use embedded keys. Windows 7 uses version 2.1 I believe, and Vista version 2.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System...e-installation

Showkey may show keys for those older OS if you did an upgrade from them. The key gets leftover in the registry. On a clean install all it will show is OEM marker detected.

 

Missed this post first time through. Yes that's how it works. To activate with the original OEM-SLP activation you need custom branded OEM install media. There is a certificate file that has to match up to the info in the SLIC table. Only then will it activate via OEM-SLP. The COA sticker is so you can do an OEM-COA activation with stock install media.