Windows Key - Oh Damn

[ShaunB-91]

Hello all,

Me being a real OCD, when I purchased Windows 8 for my laptop when it was released I put down on paper the serial key (you get like three more uses I think?) but a few months on I decided to bin it...don't ask me why! :banghead:

Is the key connected to my Windows account, is there anyway to get it back? It's time to install it on the nearly finished gaming rig soon and now I'm panicking.

 

[Snortan]

Try some of these programs. (1st and 2nd are for win8) link

 

[ShaunB-91]

Try some of these programs. (1st and 2nd are for win8) link

Cheers Snortan I'll try one (or more if needed) on my laptop and see if it can extract the key.

 

[jamesriley94]

Windows is single use.

The programs Snortan linked will work (I used one of them to get mine), but if you activate on your PC it will deactivate itself on your laptop.

You need to buy another copy really.

 

[ShaunB-91]

Really?! I'm sure you had four license uses though which is why I put them on paper. Oh bugger.

 

[jamesriley94]

I think there may be a version where you get 3 copies of it?
But they're near enough 3 times the price of the normal ones, so I'm pretty sure you won't have got that.

How much exactly did you pay for it? Was it that £25 upgrade release? Or the £15 one if you bought a laptop in the past 12 months?
If so, they're just single use - I have those, and have one installed on each of my 3 PCs.

 

[ShaunB-91]

Mine is the £25 release version, I'm 90% sure I had another three uses out of it though. :S

Will those programs definitely disable the key on the laptop? How will it know?
I'd prefer to put Windows 7 on, but I don't fancy paying the price for it!

 

[SPS]

You have a certain number of times that you can re-acitvate for new hardware, that may be what you're thinking of. As James said this will deactivate the previous activation.

 

[ShaunB-91]

You have a certain number of times that you can re-acitvate for new hardware, that may be what you're thinking of. As James said this will deactivate the previous activation.

It's probably that then. LOL £130 for one use of Windows 7, no way.

 

[Snortan]

Will those programs definitely disable the key on the laptop? How will it know?

They won't disable the key on your laptop, it will just show you the key. It's up to you to disable the key when you want to.

 

[ShaunB-91]

JamesRiley says it will deactivate on the laptop if I use it on the PC. I could do with knowing because if I need another copy of Windows I will buy James OEM version.

OEM is single use though right, so shouldn't the retail version be multiple?

 

[jamesriley94]

JamesRiley says it will deactivate on the laptop if I use it on the PC. I could do with knowing because if I need another copy of Windows I will buy James OEM version.

OEM is single use though right, so shouldn't the retail version be multiple?

OEM is meant to be for installing it outright, whilst the retails come in a fancier box and are meant as an upgrade (I believe) - although, these days there's not really any difference between the two since you can boot from the disk in both case and do a fresh install, but only the retail version can do an upgrade within windows so you keep all the files and settings.

They are both only single use unless you buy one of the multi-use packs.

As soon as you activate it on your PC, it will deactivate on the laptop yes.

 

[SuB]

that's not exactly how OEM works, OEM is meant to go with a certain build, as part of the cost. It's tied to it which is why it will 'expire' when you change stuff/re-install.

Retail is usually bought by an end user in a shop so comes with more installs. unless i missed something it's not a volume license it's just a multiple install license, for if you change YOUR hardware?

 

[ShaunB-91]

That sounds right SuB, it's been a long time since I had to look at retail and OEM. I best get this build spot on then or I'll be wasting £35. It's a right pain in the bum, so if I format, I need another copy?

Plus I won't be able to upgrade to 8.1 will I?

 

[Snortan]

JamesRiley says it will deactivate on the laptop if I use it on the PC. I could do with knowing because if I need another copy of Windows I will buy James OEM version.

OEM is single use though right, so shouldn't the retail version be multiple?

Yea it will deactivate the key on the laptop if you use it on pc, but you asked if those programs I've mentioned will deactivate the key, or maybe I read it wrong.

Anyway I thought you had to deactivate first in order to install on another pc, otherwise it would tell you the key is in use and won't let you install?

 

[ShaunB-91]

Yea it will deactivate the key on the laptop if you use it on pc, but you asked if those programs I've mentioned will deactivate the key, or maybe I read it wrong.

Anyway I thought you had to deactivate first in order to install on another pc, otherwise it would tell you the key is in use and won't let you install?

Sorry no I did mean Windows/Microsoft will deactivate the key on the laptop, not the programs.

I really don't know, I just thought I could install multiple times on different machines.

 

[SuB]

I really don't know, I just thought I could install multiple times on different machines.

This has never been the case with a standard windows user license, via OEM disc or Retail. This is only possible with business/enterprise versions of the software which cost a lot more.

 

[ShaunB-91]

This has never been the case with a standard windows user license, via OEM disc or Retail. This is only possible with business/enterprise versions of the software which cost a lot more.

This is the problem when you download stuff and not pay for it. That's quite shocking though, a little tight because that is money robbing.

Say in a years time I buy a new GPU, what will happen?

 

[Snortan]

I best get this build spot on then or I'll be wasting £35. It's a right pain in the bum, so if I format, I need another copy?
Plus I won't be able to upgrade to 8.1 will I?

I never used OEM copies but I thought they are tied to the motherboard? can anyone confirm?
As for 8.1 it will be just a free patch.

 

[ShaunB-91]

Bit worried tbh, can just see myself installing it and then my rig goes down and I need to replace something and then need another copy.

Has it changed since Windows XP, I used to use my brother in laws retial version, the key expired and I called Microsoft LOADS of times and they just gave me a new key.