How to retrieve product key?

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-16T23:24:19.000Z

I have an optiplex gx520 running windows 10 that I am going to be replacing because of hard disk trouble (not investing in a 12 year old system). I upgraded the machine to windows 10 for free last march. I want to retrieve the product key so I can install windows on the new system (I am purchasing refurbished equipment that is around 2-3 years old with windows 7).

rwtaylor · 2017-01-16T23:26:36.000Z

Key is non-transferable. I believe it activates via a hardware hash it generates from the system. You just reinstall windows 10 it knows its on the same hardware it re-activates itself.

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-16T23:32:37.000Z

So there is no way to retrieve the key? Could I use ProduKey software? We really do not have sufficient enough funds to buy windows licenses.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-16T23:38:05.000Z

Install 7, then install 10 over it…IF you have the download. From there, simply do the licensing deal on the 800 number.

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-16T23:39:56.000Z

I have a windows 10 ISO (1511 update, I believe). So I can contact MS support and they will activate it for me?

dbeato · 2017-01-16T23:41:59.000Z

Netwalker0099:

Key is non-transferable. I believe it activates via a hardware hash it generates from the system. You just reinstall windows 10 it knows its on the same hardware it re-activates itself.

As noted above, the key for Windows 10 is not transferable for hardware. You will need to get a Windows 10 Upgrade through Techsoup (If non profit) or if the hardware that you bought had a Windows 10 license you can activate it. Other than that the key of the workstation is through the BIOS after Windows 8.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-16T23:44:47.000Z

Colonel Sanders:

I have a windows 10 ISO (1511 update, I believe). So I can contact MS support and they will activate it for me?

From what I have done - MANY times, yes. You never even talk to a human. This is of course presuming you have the “Upgrade” from 7 and a copy of 7 (of equal version - Pro=Pro) installed, REGISTERED and running…if your 7 is not registered W10 “Upgrade” will not work.

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-16T23:56:57.000Z

No it is registered (activated) according to the vendor (they are local). I used ProduKey software just to see if it would work (what could it hurt?) and it gave me the windows 10 product key. If I have issues installing with the key, I will contact support as CGriffen has suggested. I will be back with updates after we get the equipment. Thanks.

NetworkNerd · 2017-01-17T01:47:24.000Z

As others have said, the Windows 10 license dies with the hardware because you upgraded an existing station from Windows 7. If you do get Windows 10 running on this other machine, you’re technically out of compliance. It looks like your options are keep Windows 7 on the refurb machine and use it as long as you can, pay the money to upgrade to 10, or try to upgrade to 10 without paying.

Is there a reason you can’t just use Windows 7 on the refurb since you do not have funds for another Windows 10 license?

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-17T02:13:52.000Z

Because I have no other windows 7 machines and it goes out of support in 2-3 years. Plus our company has a windows store app. I will attempt the new product key, and to contact support, and if it doesn’t work I will probably be stuck with windows 7. I remember when I upgraded from xp to vista in 2008 I just ran it as “upgrade” from the installation DVD. I never had any activation problems with it. When we upgraded to windows 7 (not all of our machines, but some) we purchased new licenses. Last year, I upgraded the windows 7 machines to 10. We also replaced the majority of our laptops with chromebooks. I’m low on funds because of that, and I am paying about $65 per machine.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-17T02:17:17.000Z

Network Nerd

OP asked how to get it to work - nothing about being “Legal” MSFT is not going to start auditing home and small offices any time soon…besides, if I read this properly this was in his “Test” lab…

dbeato · 2017-01-17T02:19:40.000Z

CGriffen:

Network Nerd

OP asked how to get it to work - nothing about being “Legal” MSFT is not going to start auditing home and small offices any time soon…besides, if I read this properly this was in his “Test” lab…

@cgriffen7633 So are you only interested of being “Legal” when it comes to be a business? That sounds very strange to me…

chadmockensturm4537 · 2017-01-17T02:23:05.000Z

What is less expensive a Windows 10 license or being fined for piracy? Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. Read this article and upgrade tbe new machine legally.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-17T02:26:58.000Z

dbeato - welcome to computers…you cant for a second tell me you have never let a friend, family member or other “borrow” from an MSDN kit, or install “Home Office” in a small business and abide by the “law” each and every time. Frankly, it is none of my business. If someone wants to be legal - so be it. If not? They can deal with BSA. Last thing we need is more “Soup Nazis” passing the naughty stick around their mothers basement (in between bouts of First Person Shooter games).

Oh, I also drove home from a hospital I worked at - at over 145mph…I am such a bad person.

da-schmoo · 2017-01-17T02:27:14.000Z

There is no “key” in this situation. When the old computer was upgraded to Windows 10, the hardware (motherboard actually) was registered with Microsoft’s activation servers. This is a different computer and is not entitled to any “upgrade” a different computer may have had. There is no “key” to pull to get this machine to Windows 10 even if it were legal to do so.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-17T02:30:07.000Z

Sneakycyber:

What is less expensive a Windows 10 license or being fined for piracy? Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. Read this article and upgrade tbe new machine legally.

So, if I claim my monitor is too small and I need to “Zoom” the image…that count

dbeato · 2017-01-17T02:30:47.000Z

CGriffen:

dbeato - welcome to computers…you cant for a second tell me you have never let a friend, family member or other “borrow” from an MSDN kit, or install “Home Office” in a small business and abide by the “law” each and every time. Frankly, it is none of my business. If someone wants to be legal - so be it. If not? They can deal with BSA. Last thing we need is more “Soup Nazis” passing the naughty stick around their mothers basement (in between bouts of First Person Shooter games).

Oh, I also drove home from a hospital I worked at - at over 145mph…I am such a bad person.

Well @cgriffen7633 I have been doing this for a while and no, I have not needed to give a Small Business or Family/Friends pirated or other software from another company (That is what OpenSource is for). That being said no one is saying you are a bad person but encouraging to not have legal software is a bad thing.

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-17T02:39:29.000Z

I would like to keep it as legal as possible, but if it isn’t, I will not be overly concerned. We only have about 20 machines. Also, it isn’t a test machine, it is my workstation.

cgriffen7633 · 2017-01-17T02:39:57.000Z

That is another discussion. But, the “legality” is at question anytime someone replaces a system board. So, according to the EULA - “If” a replacement system-board is needed - you CAN move the license, and Microsoft will allow it. That said, if the OP gets a new system - and puts the system board in the old case - or puts in a Samsung SSD and does a disk copy (Magician) on the other box…he can STILL be legal within the “spirit” of the EULA…and accomplish his goals.

I guess that is the best scenario. Wolf in sheeps clothing licensing. But…having had to do just that in about 120 Dells (god I hate Dell - due to power supply recall the effected the whole darn box)…we simply moved drives from one box to another (and its legal). For some, we simply put in new SSD’s w/7Pro and upgraded from USB (legal) and ALL did not have the same system board…but, I am certain someone will want to read into the minutia…

So, to wrap it up - all the OP needs to do is piece mail it. Get a new system and put the old HDD into the new (old system). Then, move the system board to the other case…then move the drive…then install 10…wow. Legal. Or, just run the stupid computer (that said, W10 on an older system is terrible and I would leave it at 7 Pro)

@dbeato

caldwellhomegarden · 2017-01-17T02:43:58.000Z

dbeato:

CGriffen:

dbeato - welcome to computers…you cant for a second tell me you have never let a friend, family member or other “borrow” from an MSDN kit, or install “Home Office” in a small business and abide by the “law” each and every time. Frankly, it is none of my business. If someone wants to be legal - so be it. If not? They can deal with BSA. Last thing we need is more “Soup Nazis” passing the naughty stick around their mothers basement (in between bouts of First Person Shooter games).

Oh, I also drove home from a hospital I worked at - at over 145mph…I am such a bad person.

Well CGriffen I have been doing this for a while and no, I have not needed to give a Small Business or Family/Friends pirated or other software from another company (That is what OpenSource is for). That being said no one is saying you are a bad person but encouraging to not have legal software is a bad thing.

I installed an office pro plus 2016 on my home computers from a single license, as well as windows 7 pro. But, it is my company. I have to agree with CGriffen, nobody is perfect. I guess it would be best not to steal from a company that you work for, but that is not applicable in my case.