Windows 10 question

I have two laptops with Windows 10 on. But neither laptops have a windows product key on them (like I did with my old Windows XP netbook). This may seem like a really stupid question, but how would go about reinstalling Windows 10 if I needed to without one?

Edited by Timalay (Tue 15-Mar-16 20:56:24)

Once activated, each PC's activation status is stored on MS servers and re-activated automatically after re-installation. No need for a key.

These days with laptops and other OEM machines the product key is stored in the UEFI, which is the modern replacement for the bios.

The Win10 key is in Windows but the same key is used for all upgrades of each Win10 product (ie home and pro). So, the key that I have for my home install is exactly the same as everyone else's that have been done as an upgrade.

In reply to a post by ian72:

The Win10 key is in Windows but the same key is used for all upgrades of each Win10 product (ie home and pro). So, the key that I have for my home install is exactly the same as everyone else's that have been done as an upgrade.

That is strange, don't sound right, to be honest.
i do know that a lot of OEM machines have Windows 8.1 products keys burnt into the UEFI, one of the reasons I will not buy buy a pre-built computer and also why if i got myself another laptop it will be without a OS.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html shows all the software activation keys on your computer.

The Win10 keys are the same...

In reference to www.pcworld.com/article/2970075/windows/why-you-cant-find-your-prod...:

This is the key Windows 10 Pro users will see in KeyFinder or Belarc Advisor: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.

Also see this link

Edited by cheshire_man (Thu 17-Mar-16 16:26:54)

In reply to a post by cheshire_man:

The Win10 keys are the same...

In reference to www.pcworld.com/article/2970075/windows/why-you-cant-find-your-prod...:

This is the key Windows 10 Pro users will see in KeyFinder or Belarc Advisor: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.

Also see this link

Very strange, i wonder why?

I see the user is banned from the forum, I wonder what he did

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

Very strange, i wonder why?

Because after upgrade, the key is irrelevant. The activation status for the PC is stored at Microsoft and reactivated upon reinstall automatically.

A freshly bought copy of Windows 10 will still be issued with a unique product key however.