Backing up Windows 8 activation key

[Pommy192]

I want to install OSX Yosemite on a Toshiba laptop with Windows 8 on it thus formatting it, Trouble is, I want to back up the CD key so when I want to install Windows back on, I can use the key that it was given in the first place.

Mark

[Vitalius]

Install Speccy and it will tell you the Product Key for your current installation. 

[TristanK]

As far as I know windows 8 stores it s licence key on your MB, so even if you format your HDD or replace it you still have the key. As soon as you reinstall Windows 8 it will find the key and activate it by itself. You will have a problem if your MB dies though. But nothing that can't be solved with a call to MS

 

Also you can do what @Vitalius said above if you need the key

[TetraSky]

Install Speccy and it will tell you the Product Key for your current installation. 

Aren't the keys used for factory installation generally "generics" that cannot be used when re-installing windows? Like, in the days before Windows 8, the key on the back of the laptop wasn't the same as the key used by the factory installation.

So honestly, I'd say it would be better to just backup the drive with Acronis (or similar software), that way he can go back right to what he had before, without going through the extra hassle of re-installing windows and possibly see his key may not actually work.

[ionbasa]

Aren't the keys used for factory installation generally "generics" that cannot be used when re-installing windows? Like, in the days before Windows 8, the key on the back of the laptop wasn't the same as the key used by the factory installation.

So honestly, I'd say it would be better to just backup the drive with Acronis (or similar software), that way he can go back right to what he had before, without going through the extra hassle of re-installing windows and possibly see his key may not actually work.

With Windows 8, it doesn't matter anymore.

 

So long as you use the same product version (ie core or professional), Windows wont even ask for the key during the install. Instead it is automatically read from the motherboard's UEFI ACPI table.

[TristanK]

Aren't the keys used for factory installation generally "generics" that cannot be used when re-installing windows? Like, in the days before Windows 8, the key on the back of the laptop wasn't the same as the key used by the factory installation.

So honestly, I'd say it would be better to just backup the drive with Acronis (or similar software), that way he can go back right to what he had before, without going through the extra hassle of re-installing windows and possibly see his key may not actually work.

Belive me that isn't the case. I used a licence from my laptop with Windows 7  that I didnt use anymore on my mother's laptop. It just has to be on 1 device at the time. That s all. If you have any problems you just call MS and they help you . Speaking from my own experience 

[ionbasa]

Just wanted to add, if you really are paranoid check out: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

and

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/27341-Advanced-Tokens-Manager-The-Activation-Backup-Solution