I have this laptop that I got about 7 years ago, and I'm planning to use it for university after doing a factory reset. I mainly want to use it for everyday tasks while I build a new PC. The problem is, when I received the laptop, it was activated with an organizational license, but after a hard drive issue, Windows got deactivated. I've tried using the command prompt to find the original key, but I keep getting an error saying the key is invalid. What do you guys recommend I do? Should I buy a new Windows 11 key, or look for a Windows 10 key instead? Would a Microsoft activation script be a good idea?
2 Answers
Most laptops have an OEM key stored in their BIOS, usually meant for Windows Home, which matches the sticker under the laptop. If you install the same version of Windows, it should auto-activate when it connects to Microsoft. If you try to install a different version, like Pro, the OEM key won't work, and you'd need to purchase a Pro license or reinstall the correct version. Just keep in mind that Windows 10 is phasing out support, so you might want to consider upgrading to Windows 11 if your laptop can handle it.
You can actually use the default key that comes with your laptop's hardware. Microsoft should be able to activate it since it's tied to your hardware hash. This is usually the easiest solution if you're reinstalling within the same version.
Got it! But where can I find the default key?