How To Obtain Or Save Windows 10 Key On Upgrade

This is based off the ''upgrade process'' where if you have windows 7 or 8 you can upgrade to windows 10.

Considering it leaves leftover files form your previous OS as well as possibly giving other issues, i would certainly like a ''fresh'' clean install.

However i cannot do a fresh install without a key , and when i upgrade i am not sure if the key saves or overwrites my windows 8 in the bios?

 

In Windows 8 and above the product key is embedded in the BIOS so an upgrade to Windows 10 or even a reinstall would not normally require a user to input the key.
However, either of these two free programs will show you now what the OS Product Key is:
Belarc Advisor
Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder

 

When you upgrade to 10 your key is stored on the Microsoft servers, so when you perform a reset or reinstall the system is recognised and activated. The key is not stored in the BIOS as has been said and will not be found by keyfinder programs. This may be useful -

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-find-windows-10-product-key-3632749/

 

The marker on the hardware from original (usually OEM) OS install identifies the Key. If that wasn't the case you could reinstall on any system you like. When the original install is from a purchased licensed, such as a retail one, that key is on the system and in the retail package. Those programs do display the relevant OS Product Key.

 

I've just run Belarc Advisor, Magic Jelly Bean (and Produkey as suggested by another poster in the link to PCAdvisor) on this system and all three of them show the very same OS Product Key.

 

Doesn't prove anything - that might be the key for the system it upgraded from. Here's the key bit from the PCAdvisor page

Since Microsoft has your computer’s ‘digital signature’ from the initial upgrade it recognises the combination of components when you do a clean install and automatically activates Windows. This means you can safely skip the screen which asks for a product key at the start of the installation process.

That fits my personal experience on three upgraded system on which I have subsequently performed a clean install.

 

The OP asked how to find their existing OS Product Key.
They got the answer they asked for.
All three of those programs including the two I linked to provide that, contrary to your suggestion those two didn't.
I've done reinstalls on over a dozen systems that were previously upgraded during the free period, and several that were paid upgrades.

 

So according to Maxturner those programs only read the key the pc originally came with? Not the key for the new windows 10 upgrade ( if that's the case any similar program for windows 10?)

Just to clarify i have not yet upgraded my windows 8 machine to windows 10, i just wanted to have some suggestions on how to do a ''clean install'' without having key issues should i upgrade.

I know i read a topic around here about the whole windows 10 upgrade , and even though the laptop i have ( EliteBook Folio 1040 G1) was made for windows 7/8 i don't think it would do too bad in windows 10. I definitely tried windows 10 before but that was over a year ago and i know some things have improved.

I recall feeling the same way about windows 8 until windows 8.1 came out and then i didn't mind using it as much.
I actually have windows 10 on a older dell computer with a celeron processor , but it functions slow the hardware is just a little to old for it, this laptop however may have a better chance.

The current windows 8.1 on the laptop is not even installed nor is any OS, so i figured if windows 10 is worth giving a chance again i could just install that instead

 

No Nexus.
Read the post again.
Those programs will tell you what the OS Product Key is now on the system you scan.
But as the post also said, if you are just doing a reinstall, you will not need to enter it as it will be picked up automatically.
But it doesn't hurt to have a record of it.

To clarify upgrades to Win 10. The free upgrade has ended.
If you want to pay for an upgrade, you have to purchase a licence to carry out that upgrade. MS explain all that is needed for that.

If you currently have an unused Windows 8.1 licence, you can install it. You cannot install Windows 10 with it or upgrade to Win 10 with it for free. You would have to speak with MS to ask if they would give you a discount to replace it with a Win 10 licence.

 

free upgrade seems available for people who use
assistive technologies - according to microsoft website . As far as i see there is no deadline ( yet)

 

Yes this link below seems to indicate that, so on any system you have that is 7 or 8.1 you can still upgrade to Windows 10, and if you install that unused 8.1 licence on a new system, you can then, afterwards, upgrade it to Windows 10 if you certify that you do use assistive technology
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/accessibility/windows10upgrade
It doesn't indicate what if any verification of assistive technology use may be required, though if not then anyone could do that I suppose!
Obviously, there was no way of knowing in this thread that you qualified for that but great that you do.

 

Once I updated, and then decided to install clean new with the iso that I downloaded, and created a setup on usb, I did exactly as Plodr said- reinstalled without entering key, and when I went on line -no problem activated as it should.
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That is is an alternative, if all else goes wrong
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- If that computer has previously been updated, and then formatted, or, even a new hard drive fitted, it should install without giving you a problem
It did that for me- without putting in a key
-if you try putting a key in as you setup, I have noticed people have had problems with the key being accepted - just my recollections , but thought it might help.

 

As stated, if you had Windows 10 on this computer previously, you won't need to enter a Key.