Windows 10 Pro Product Key

[Deleted User]

I've come across 2nd hand PC's / Laptops from ebay with forced activation that appears as a virus under some AV scanner - usually KMS Activator and reports as KMSPico in the virus scan.

It is because the seller has used a volume activation key and they use some software to fake the activation process. It isn't actually a virus but it is a dodgy way of doing things.

If all the above fails, pick one up here for £20 - I've used them dozens of times over 5 years with no issues:

https://theunitysoft.com/product/windows-10-pro-genuine-license-key/

neilmcl

sweetgirl2015 said:

We have come to the conclusion it wasn't windows pro on the pc, it was probably the home edition.
So need to reinstall it all again and try the home edition. 

That would be my guess, you don't usually get W10 pro on a gaming machine.

[Deleted User]

neilmcl said:

sweetgirl2015 said:

We have come to the conclusion it wasn't windows pro on the pc, it was probably the home edition.
So need to reinstall it all again and try the home edition. 

That would be my guess, you don't usually get W10 pro on a gaming machine.

My money is still on the original install using KMSpico and hence the virus detection. The Windows Home version will still require a licence key.

You only get the licence key stored in the firmware (ACPI) with the big name branded PC's and this doesn't appear to be one, they will also provide COA (Certificate of Authenticity) on a sticker attached to the PC or maybe in the packaging. The OP's PC sounds like a custom build from eBay which will not have an OEM licence in the firmware.

If the licence is stored in the firmware, this command will retrieve it:

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

If the licence key is stored in the firmware, the Windows installer will automatically install either Home or Pro as appropriate and won't ask for a licence key upon installation.

As for it being stored in the Microsoft account as a digital licence, this is only if you have actually purchased a digital copy from Microsoft yourself and register the PC with a Microsoft account (not a local one). In this case it will re-activate automatically on installation on the same hardware but this is not the scenario the OP describes - the PC came with Windows therefore it should have a physical product key provided, not a digital one.

TLDR: The PC came with a pirated version of Win 10.