'Windows license will expire soon'- Help please

outofworksch

Could you run either

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

or

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
and get the info required and take it from there.

Angry_Bear

EssexExile wrote: »

There should be another Microsoft sticker with the 25 digit key. Mine has all sorts metal strips, watermarks & holograms on it.

This is what I was thinking of.

Big_Graeme wrote: »

Not on Win 8 machines.

I hadn't realised that Win 8 doesn't have that - yet another reaso to avoid that version

Trinitrotoluene

Angry_Bear wrote: »

This is what I was thinking of.

I hadn't realised that Win 8 doesn't have that - yet another reaso to avoid that version

I despise Windows 8, but in its defence it's actually much easier in Windows 8. The licensing information and activation process when on a branded machine (Toshiba/Dell/HP etc) is actually stored in the BIOS. When Windows goes through its initial install process, it pulls the key out of the BIOS and activates automatically.

For more techie users who want to read into this, it's referred to as OEM Activation 3.0.

NiftyDigits

Trinitrotoluene wrote: »

I despise Windows 8, but in its defence it's actually much easier in Windows 8. The licensing information and activation process when on a branded machine (Toshiba/Dell/HP etc) is actually stored in the BIOS. When Windows goes through its initial install process, it pulls the key out of the BIOS and activates automatically.

For more techie users who want to read into this, it's referred to as OEM Activation 3.0.

That would all be fine if what you described wasn't exactly the same for the previous three generations of Windows OS. Each implementation has just been slightly different.

Strider590

Big_Graeme wrote: »

Windows 8/8.1?

I had the same issue with my Lenovo, I ran Windows update, rebooted and it sorted itself after a few minutes. If it doesn't have a word with Argos techies.

NiftyDigits

Retrieve key using this program.

Then Windows Key + R Type slui 3 Hit Enter if necessary and add your product key in the resulting Window.

...and I'm back on holiday.

Trinitrotoluene

NiftyDigits wrote: »

That would all be fine if what you described wasn't exactly the same for the previous three generations of Windows OS. Each implementation has just been slightly different.

Perhaps, but the older versions of SLP were crap, especially the XP and Vista iterations - plus open to wide scale abuse. Windows 8 (oem V3) is the only secure and reasonable one that works consistently so far (in my experience).

NiftyDigits

Trinitrotoluene wrote: »

Perhaps, but the older versions of SLP were crap, especially the XP and Vista iterations - plus open to wide scale abuse. Windows 8 (oem V3) is the only secure and reasonable one that works consistently so far (in my experience).

Sorry but that is nonsense, copied from an article that you've read. They certainly didn't affect the user experience...so calling them 'crap' is just incongruous.

With your 'experience', why did you not post a solution for the OP?
I suspect that your experience is limited to plagiarising articles from the web and posting them as your opinion.

What you actually wrote was:

but in its defence it's actually much easier in Windows 8....

which is simply not the case.
Changing your story now doesn't look good.

Tell me about your experience with these iterations.

kelleysam

Hi NiftyDigits,
I used your link, the key wasn't recognised but the MSDM key was and it seems to have worked.
A huge Thank you for doing what Toshiba techs and Microsoft techs couldn't mange, understanding and knowledge.
Again many Thanks

Trinitrotoluene

NiftyDigits wrote: »

With your 'experience', why did you not post a solution for the OP?
I suspect that your experience is limited to plagiarising articles from the web and posting them as your opinion.

I don't usually respond to trolls, but in this instance I'm a Microsoft Certified IT Professional against the Server 2008 platform, a Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist, and also hold numerous MCTS, MCP, MSCA qualifications for both server and desktop OSs.

Infact, just 6-7 months ago I designed an automated OS deployment solution for the managed service provider where I lead our technical department that automates the building of multiple different operating systems across multiple vendors.

The reason it is much easier with Windows 8 is because in my fifteen years experience of actually working IT, it's the first iteration that works reliably across multiple vendors; especially when it comes to activation of the OS.

You shouldn't assume to know people on the internet who you truly have no idea about. You may well be an MVP with Microsoft for all I know, but when you question my experience and accuse me of plagiarising websites, I feel like I have to respond.