Windows 10: Windows 10 install media not reading my Windows 8 OEM embeded key.

I've been doing some clean installs checking something posted in another thread. While doing those I noticed that the current Windows 10 install media created by the Media Creation Tool, is not automatically using the Windows 8.0 Core OEM embedded key in my laptops BOS. And before anybody asks, no its not a Single Language key. In the past Windows 10 install media would happily install 10 Home with no prompt for a key etc. I had to add a PID.txt file to override it and install Pro. Personally, I'm happy that its not using it. That being said, I noticed this behaviour a while back and mentioned it here. Others though had a different outcome. Their Windows 8 embedded keys were still being read and used. I put it down to a glitch at the time. Now though, it appears it was not a glitch? It consistently ignores my embedded key. I did three clean installs one after the other and was prompted to enter a key each time. Now I'm wondering if its because its an 8.0 key versus an 8.1 key? This is 32bit/64bit Windows 10 (multi) install media created with the latest MCT with the create thumb drive option.
So has anybody else had their OEM Embedded key ignored?

:)

 

Windows 10 upgrade melted my Laptop

If it came with Windows 8 pre-installed by the OEM the product code is embedded in the BIOS. This install media ,http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
will read and use Windows 8.0 and 8.1 keys, even OEM embedded keys. You just need to know what version was installed at the factory. This utility will tell you that if you don't know.

http://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkey.html The Windows 8.1 Media Creation tool I linked to above will work with Home, Home SL and Pro keys. If your factory installed version was the "With Bing" edition that will be an issue. Install the correct
version and you won't be asked to enter a key, install the wrong version and you'll be prompted to enter one.

 

Did a clean format and installed windows 10. Tried activating with windows 8 key. Doesnt work and no option to go back to windows 8

I linked the leading web tutorial for Clean Installing Windows 10
Upgrade which has been used by tens of thousands without a single complaint. Why don't you read it instead of continuing to spread outdated misinformation?

I also specified Media Creation Tool to get the media to be sure you installed the correct version. The response to this is not to explain
you've tried a bunch of different media, but to go to the tool now to create the correct media.

I've helped with over 5000 Upgrades and was one of the MVP's who helped persuade Microsoft to allow activating clean Installs with the old OS product key using Version 1511 media.

It should not be necessary to use a key Finder, as the embedded Windows 8 Key should be picked up automatically if you installed the correct version. However, if you did, then this might be the problem.

So to be sure, install
ProduKey, run it to find OEM-BIOS key. Note that I did not say the Windows 8 key or the Windows 10 key, only the OEM-BIOS key is the embedded key you need.

 

Interesting question, well spotted. I don't have an embedded key to test this, but await the answers from others with interest.

 

Are you trying to install Home? If it was Pro with PID.txt added, it would ignore the bios key.

Also, how can you tell as pc would have a digital licence, unless installing on a pc that never had Home previously installed.

You need to explain previous installation history, and how/what you are doing now in more detail.

 

In the past, if there was no PID.txt file specified, when you ran Windows setup it would read the product key in BIOS/UEFI and not ask you for a product or which version to install. The installation would just kick off with whatever version it found a product key in BIOS for.

If Windows setup does not find a PID.txt file or a product key in BIOS/UEFI, then it will ask you for a product key. If you click skip, then it will ask you which version you want to install. That's how you know if Windows setup is reading the product key from BIOS/UEFI or not - whether it asks you for a product key, or not.

 

Hi Alphanumeric

On my IP test rig Asus x55a core W8 > 8.1.> 10IP only no RTM ever installed
Clean installed IP at least 3x

Never had to input a key,
Superfly's tool shows it .

Roy

 

No PID.txt used, was doing installs with stock install media, no modifications what so ever.
In the past, 10 Home would be installed by default with no prompt for a key and no menu to select Edition. It would read the 8.0 Core key and install the matching 10 Home.
Since I use Pro, to save time, and save having to upgrade to Pro. I would add a PID.txt file with the generic Pro key. That would install Pro with no prompt for a key. I didn't want that this time.
This time around, I get asked for a key. When I click "I don't have one" I get the Edition selection menu with Home SL, Home, Pro and Education. This PC has DL's for Home, Pro and Education, which is why I do a skip key.

 

The DL doesn't factor into it until your all done and it tries to activate. This PC has DL's for Home, Pro, Education and Enterprise.
In the past, 10 Home was installed based on the 8.0 Core OEM embedded key. If I used stock media. I would then have to do a change key to upgrade to Pro or Education.
On that PC I add a PID.txt to install Pro or Education and override the auto Home install.
Now, I get the same menus I get on my other PC that doesn't have an embedded key. I get prompted for a key and if I click "I don't have one" I get the selection menu. I can install Home, Pro or Education. They all activate with their respective DL.

 

It might still be capable of reading the embedded key and using it to activate (assuming you select the edition matching the key)?
It's difficult to test as you'd need to find a machine which has an embedded Win 8 key, but has never activated Windows 10, in order to verify.

 

I used a drive flashed a couple of days ago with media creation tool on a (probably) win 8.1 home to install windows 10 no key asked.

I found an interesting cortana voice controlled loop that try to mislead you to use the online account instead
of the selected local one:

when you select local account cortana warns you that you can also use an online account and
goes like "would you proceed with your selection (the local account t.n.) anyway?
when you say yes you are proposed to insert your email address for the online account the opposite of what you're asking for

 

I get that - so is OP saying that he gets selection list even without PID.txt?

If so, that is a little odd but perhaps MS have finally sorted the annoyance of needing PID.txt to install Pro on pc with bios embedded home. It possibly checks for key later now?

 

Yes, no PID.txt file, totally stock unmodified install media. PC has a Windows 8.0 Core OEM embedded key. I now get prompted for a key and when I select "I don't have one" I get the selection menu.
It's actually what I've been wanting for a while. As far as Windows 8/8.1 keys go. Just look for and use OEM 10 keys. This the only PC I have with an OEM embedded key and not the one I usually do test installs on. I have an old beater desktop PC that I use for that.
I noticed this no key detection a while back, and mentioned it here in a thread. Somebody else reported their key was read and used so I just dropped it, assuming it was a glitch of some sort. I meant to, but didn't, do anymore testing. I got side tracked onto something else. Seeing that it wasn't just a one time glitch (for me anyway) I decided to start a thread on it and see what others are experiencing. All my PC's now have multiple Digital Licenses for Home, pro, Education, and Enterprise. Some intentional some not. Most are the result of my doing test installs, and trying different Editions. I'm not big on using VM, I like using real hard ware when I can.