The Windows 10 April 2018 update has arrived! Get the new Dell XPS 15, starting at $999.99
Order Xbox One X | Surface Book 2 NEW Dell XPS 13
08-03-2015 06:25 AM
tools
  1. Aashish13's Avatar
    Aashish13
    Hi guys I have downloaded iso file on my flash drive. Now while running the ISO file it's asking me for product key? Can anyone guide me where I would get the product key? I have windows 8.1 laptop and my windows is genuine

    For product key do I have to enter my windows 8.1 product key when I had bought my laptop or is it any other way to figure out the product key!!!!
    08-01-2015 07:46 AM
  2. gpobernardo's Avatar
    gpobernardo
    Moderator
    If you've upgraded from a genuine copy of Windows, a product key will automatically be generated for Windows 10 during the upgrade. You may try using the official product key that came with your Operating System and laptop. With this, there is no other legal way of obtaining a product key.

    Update: Read on below - a5cent has provided clarifications on the matter in post #5 and #7.
    Last edited by gpobernardo; 08-01-2015 at 10:20 PM. Reason: Updated info.
    a5cent, ven07 and Aashish13 like this.
    08-01-2015 09:21 AM
  3. Aashish13's Avatar
    Aashish13
    Originally Posted by gpobernardo
    If you've upgraded from a genuine copy of Windows, a product key will automatically be generated for Windows 10 during the upgrade. You may try using the official product key that came with your Operating System and laptop. With this, there is no other legal way of obtaining a product key.

    Thanks for,helping but its not working my product key start with 0 but when I enter 0 then it shows its an invalid character.
    gpobernardo likes this.
    08-01-2015 01:46 PM
  4. fjordstrom's Avatar
    fjordstrom
    I checked for my product key yesterday and it turns out to be a generic RTM product key... Does anyone know how come this happens?
    08-01-2015 04:18 PM
  5. a5cent's Avatar
    a5cent
    Moderator
    ^ It's because your real product key is no longer stored on your system, but in the cloud. We all have the same local product key. It's meaningless.

    OP, I'm sorry to say you've messed up. This explains why:

    http://forums.windowscentral.com/win...ation-faq.html
    aximtreo and ven07 like this.
    08-01-2015 04:42 PM
  6. illidanx's Avatar
    illidanx
    Originally Posted by Aashish13
    Hi guys I have downloaded iso file on my flash drive. Now while running the ISO file it's asking me for product key? Can anyone guide me where I would get the product key? I have windows 8.1 laptop and my windows is genuine

    For product key do I have to enter my windows 8.1 product key when I had bought my laptop or is it any other way to figure out the product key!!!!
    You don't need a key. What you need to do is to mount the ISO while running W8.1 and run setup.exe. You won't be asked for a key.
    Last edited by illidanx; 08-01-2015 at 05:04 PM.
    08-01-2015 04:47 PM
  7. a5cent's Avatar
    a5cent
    Moderator
    Originally Posted by gpobernardo
    If you've upgraded from a genuine copy of Windows, a product key will automatically be generated for Windows 10 during the upgrade. You may try using the official product key that came with your Operating System and laptop. With this, there is no other legal way of obtaining a product key.
    The key that came with his system has zero chance of working, because it is NOT a W10 key. It's impossible to activate W10 with anything but a W10 key.

    We must also be very specific about what is meant by "upgrade". A clean-install, as applied by the OP, is also an upgrade. What you are describing is only true of an in-place upgrade however!
    gpobernardo, ven07 and Aashish13 like this.
    08-01-2015 05:02 PM
  8. gpobernardo's Avatar
    gpobernardo
    Moderator
    Originally Posted by a5cent
    The key that came with his system has zero chance of working, because it is NOT a W10 key. It's impossible to activate W10 with anything but a W10 key.

    We must also be very specific about what is meant by "upgrade". A clean-install, as applied by the OP, is also an upgrade. What you are describing is only true of an in-place upgrade however!
    I stand corrected, my friend.
    a5cent and ven07 like this.
    08-01-2015 10:19 PM
  9. Nemo58's Avatar
    Nemo58
    If you have an activated W8.1, then download the tool (again) from Microsoft website. Double click that file and then choose the option Upgrade this PC. Wait till all the installation is finished and I'm sure that your W10 will be activated. If you choose the other way, you will be asked for the key.
    08-02-2015 11:38 AM
  10. jtpcamp's Avatar
    jtpcamp
    You can download, install and run "Belarc Advisor" and in the report generated is the new Win 10 Key.
    08-02-2015 08:14 PM
  11. v535's Avatar
    v535
    Can't I skip the step involving entering a key? What about Win Insider's key, will it work? I downloading Win 10.
    gpobernardo likes this.
    08-03-2015 06:25 AM
« How do I know if my reserved Windows 10 is already downloading? | How do I disable sleep on my PC with Win 10 »

Similar Threads

  1. I tried to install Windows 10 three times, why will it not connect to the internet?
    By WPCentral Question in forum Windows 10
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-01-2015, 08:48 AM
  2. Windows 10 Performence. My Story.
    By Neyney10 in forum Windows 10
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-01-2015, 08:06 AM
  3. Went back from Denim to Cyan. Please help!
    By WPCentral Question in forum Ask a Question
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-01-2015, 07:51 AM
  4. Can I get some help with a Windows 10 upgrade problem?
    By Windows Central Question in forum Windows 10
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-01-2015, 06:57 AM
LINK TO POST COPIED TO CLIPBOARD