Laptops with preinstalled Windows 7 usually have a sticker with the product key under the laptop. Laptops with preinstalled Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, however, never have such a sticker. The reason is that the Windows 8.1 product key is embedded into the BIOS or UEFI. Here's how to get the product key, in case we cant to install Windows 8 on a different PC.
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On a laptop that came with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 preinstalled, we never need to enter the Windows 8.1 product key manually. If we reinstall the proper version of Windows 8.1 (Home, Professional, or Windows with Bing), the installation process reads the product key automatically from the BIOS; we don't even get the product key prompt. These windows 8.1 activation key are fully working for windows 8.1 upgrade. Feel free to ask your quarries and problems regarding windows 8.1 download and product key for windows 8.1 and windows 81. Note: these Windows 8.1 serial key and Windows 8.1 pro License key are working on both Windows 8.1 64 bit and windows 8.1 build 9600 product key.
When do I need the Windows 8.1 product key?
On a laptop that came with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 preinstalled, we never need to enter the Windows 8.1 product key manually.
If we reinstall the proper version of Windows 8.1 (Home, Professional, or Windows with Bing), the installation process reads the product key automatically from the BIOS; we don't even get the product key prompt.
The only reason to get the Windows 8.1 product key is if we want to transfer Windows to another PC. After transferring Windows 8, we can also upgrade to Windows 10 on the second PC.
How to get the Windows 8.1 product key from inside Windows
In this scenario, the laptop that came with preinstalled Windows 8 has a fully functional Windows operating system. It doesn't need to be Windows 8; it could have Windows 7.
After we boot in Windows, we download NeoSmart's Oem Product Key Tool.
We don't need to enter a name or an email; we just click on the Download! button.
After that, we just run the OpenKey application, and we will get the Windows 8.1 product key from BIOS / UEFI.
No installation is needed; it's simple as that.
Alternative way to get the Windows 8.1 product key
If the Oem Product Key Tool doesn't work on our PC, we can use RWEverything.
We just download the latest portable version for 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.
After the download, we extract the .zip contents...
...and run the RW application.
There, we select ACPI, then click on the MSDM tab, and we will find the Windows 8.1 product key.
Get the Windows 8.1 product key without Windows
Let's say we can't run Windows on the old laptop anymore. Maybe there is something wrong, and Windows won't boot. Or we installed Linux, and the above applications won't work through WINE.
So, now what?
There are a couple of applications that can create a bootable environment that can detect the Windows 8.1 product key. For this guide, we will use Lazesoft Recover My Password Home Edition.
The installation is safe; it doesn't hide any toolbars or adware.
After we run the program, we click on 'Burn Bootable CD/USB Disk Now!'.
We leave the default 'DO NOT Specify the Windows version'.
We can either prepare the bootable environment on DVD, USB or create an ISO image for later use.
The program will first download the WinPE components from Microsoft...
...then format the USB drive (make sure you don't have any important data on it because it will be deleted)...
...and begin writing the information on the drive. On a USB 2.0 drive, it shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.
After the disk is ready...
...we make sure to remove it safely, to avoid the chance of any data corruption.
Then we setup the BIOS/UEFI or the boot menu of the laptop from which we want to get the Window 8.1 product key.
We boot from the Lazesoft recovery media and select the Lazesoft Live CD or USB option.
At the recovery environment, we select the 'Find Windows Product Key' option.
We confirm that we are using the free version for non-commercial reasons...
...and this is it. We get the Windows 8.1 product key, either through Windows or from the BIOS / UEFI.
Can I use the Windows 8.1 product key to activate Windows on another PC?
The OEM product keys are tied to the particular motherboard of the first PC they are activated on, and won't automatically activate through the Internet on another PC.
There is, however, a workaround for this: we can activate by phone.
After the installation, we press the Windows Key + Pause/Break to open the system properties and click on 'Activate Windows
Then, we select 'Activate by phone'. Don't bother with the 'Activate Windows online' option, it won't work.
Don't worry, you won't need to talk to anyone at Microsoft. The Phone Activation system is automated.
We just enter the unique nine groups of numbers for our system through the phone keypad...
...and then the automated system will provide with eight groups of numbers for the activation.
Should this fail for any reason, stay on the line and you will be connected to a Microsoft support representative.
What will happen if two PCs have the same product key?
To transfer Windows 8.1, we need to remove it completely from the old PC after we get the product key e.g. by installing a Linux distribution.
If we have two Windows installations on two separate PCs simultaneously, with the same product key, we violate Microsoft's license agreement.
It's a matter of time before Microsoft blacklists the product key, and we won't be able to use it to activate Windows anymore.
Did you have any trouble finding the Windows 8.1 product key?
If anything in the above guide didn't work as described, and you weren't able to find the Windows 8.1 product key, leave us a comment.
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When we download Windows 7 ISOs, we can install Windows without a product key. The installation will go through, and we will get a 30-day trial of the operating system. With the official Windows 8.1 ISOs, though, we can't skip entering the product key during the installation. Let's see how to bypass this restriction and install Windows 8.1 without a product key.
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The Magic 'ei.cfg' file![]()
We can somewhat understand Microsoft's point of view when they made the product key mandatory for a Windows 8.1 installation. It sort-of makes sense as an anti-piracy measure.
With the Windows 7 30-day trial, one could install Windows and have them for free. Then, once every new moon, they could format and reinstall Windows, and no one would be the wiser.
Also, one would need to have Windows installed if they wanted to run an activator, should they swing that way. So, Microsoft decided to cut the problem off at the root. Mandatory product key equals no trial, equals no activator. Makes sense, doesn't it?
And then, they made it easy to bypass this system. And, when we say 'easy,' we mean 'child's play' easy. That's Microsoft for you.
The only thing we need is to create a notepad file, on any version of Windows.
Inside, we copy and paste the following:
The only 'hard' part is that when we save the file, we don't leave the default 'Text documents' on 'Save as type.'
We select 'All Files' and type the name 'ei.cfg.'
The result is a file ei.cfg that has a type 'CFG File.'
We 're halfway there. With this ei.cfg file, we can Install Windows 8.1 without a product key.
We just need to get it in the Windows 8.1 installation medium. There is the easy way and the hard way to do so.
How to Install Windows 8.1 without a product key from USB
The fastest and easiest way to install Windows 8.1 without a product key is by creating a Windows installation USB drive.
We need to download a Windows 8.1 ISO from Microsoft if we haven't already. Then, we can use a 4GB or larger USB flash drive and an app, such as Rufus, to create a Windows 8.1 installation USB.
After that, it's just a matter of dragging our ei.cfg file and dropping it in the 'sources' folder in the USB.
That's it. Once ei.cfg is within the 'sources' folder...
...we can install Windows 8.1 without a product key. The Windows installer won't even ask for one; it will straight-up begin the installation.
The installation will ask for a product key after the first automatic reboot, but there will be a handy 'Skip' button.
Of course, Windows are not activated. We will need a valid product key for that.
How to Install Windows 8.1 without a product key from DVD
Sometimes, using a Windows installation USB isn't an option. Maybe we don't have a USB flash drive, or an old motherboard might not support boot from USB.
In this case, we need to edit the ISO file so we can add ei.cfg before we burn it on a disc.
For this, we will use the 30-day trial version of gBurner. It's one of the few free apps that can edit a 2GB+ ISO, no questions asked.
We will find the latest version at http://www.gburner.com/download.htm
Earlier versions of Gburner came with multiple unwanted third-party apps, such as Ad-Aware Web Companion
However, the current version as of this writing, gBurner 4.3, seems to be free of such shenanigans.
In any case, we should never blindingly click Next->Next->Next on any installer. Also, apps such as Unchecky can help to ensure a safe installation.
Windows 8 Pro Serial Key
Finally, on the last screen after the installation, it's a good idea to uncheck the option to associate .iso files with gBurner, especially if we will only use it for the 30-day trial.
After gBurner starts, we select 'Continue Unregistered.'
We click the 'open' icon and select the Windows 8.1 ISO.
Once loaded, we select the 'sources' folder, click on 'Add' and choose the ei.cfg file.
Where Is My Windows 8.1 Start Screen
After we make sure ei.cfg was added correctly in sources, we select File -> Save As...
It's a good idea to choose a different name for the ISO, so we will have the clean ISO as a backup, in case something went wrong.
Where Can I Find My Windows 8.1 License Key
And that's it. We can right-click on the new ISO, select 'Burn disk image' to burn it to a DVD, and we 're good to go.
Where Is My Windows 8.1 Serial Key Free
You might have noticed that the new ISO is a bit smaller than the original, even though we added a file. Apparently, gBurner does some slight data compression during the ISO creation process.
Is My Windows 8.1 32-bit Or 64-bit
This won't matter for the Windows Installation, though. Either if we burn this ISO to a disk or use it to install a Windows virtual machine, it will work just as well.
Did you have any trouble installing Windows 8.1 without a product key?
Did you have any problem with the above and couldn't install Windows 8.1 without a product key? Leave us a comment.
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Windows 8 1 Activation Key List
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December 2020
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