Can you get the Windows key from a nonbootable disk?
Can you get the Windows key from a nonbootable disk?
Hi,
I found an old PC that won't boot due to a problem with the boot drive. It has Windows 10 installed, and I've connected it via a SATA-to-USB dongle—files appear and browsing works, so the drive isn't completely dead. My concern is whether I can get the Windows serial key from this unit to use on a new PC I'm building.
Thanks!
Was Windows mit einem Microsoft-Konto verknüpft? Dann ja
Installiere Windows und melde dich mit deinem Microsoft-Konto an, um das System neu zu registrieren.
Altes PC kann nicht starten: meistens liegt das an der BIOS-Batterie, dem RAM oder einer falschen Bootreihenfolge.
If the previous PC had a serial number you could use, activating another machine with that serial is possible as long as you stop using the old one.
For an OEM license without a serial, it shouldn't work on other hardware; obtaining a license key would be equivalent to searching for a generic OEM key online.
If you have an account, it can serve as assistance as mentioned.
I'm not entirely sure about now, but a few years ago MS was pretty flexible with OEM licenses. I bought a couple of OEM Win8 keys from a local SI and transferred them to new builds twice. They're tied to my MS account. If they can get the key back or access their MS details on another machine, they should be able to try and transfer it—nothing lost, nothing gained. Back then you could even call them and persuade them!
The OEM license with a unique serial is distinct from the standard license without a serial, which is what I was discussing.
A volume license consists of a single key that activates on any system with the corresponding OEM bios. This key is identical across all devices, so you can find it online and it will function properly if you have the matching bios.
My old PC still posts and all parts are visible in the BIOS with normal settings, but it fails to locate any Windows installation. It won’t boot into safe mode either. I recall earlier disk errors where a repair would start and then launch Windows—though it’s been sitting unused for years, making it hard to recall specifics. I used another mini PC until now. My PC is around 10 to 15 years old, likely received a student license, which might mean it no longer functions properly. Despite being logged into my Microsoft account, the license shouldn’t appear there. There are some generic "PC" entries in the device list, but no details about Windows version or activation status.
If Windows 10 is installed on the machine without activation, it's an OEM copy, and even after retrieving the key, you cannot use it to activate another PC. Consider purchasing a low-cost OEM key.