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Lost Windows Key

D34ThL0cK
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Go to solution Solved by D34ThL0cK,

Thank you all for the help. Since I am a kid, and my father is already angry at me for this, he says that we will just give them the key from his laptop and see what they can do.

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Hello LTT community,

I got a bunch of viruses on my PC, so I had to send it to a repair shop. The only issue is that they asked for the windows key, and I can't seem to find it. I know the answer will  probably be that it is impossible, but I figured that asking would be worth a try. Is their any way to get a hold of the key? I was running windows 7 home premium, but it was upgraded to windows 10 home.

Thanks :-)

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Posted

Since you upgraded it will be a generic key number but the key will be connected to your mobo.

Why do they want you key? Did you explain that you upgraded?

 

*edit

Just in case you ask your Win7 key is no longer valid.

The repair shop should be able to pull your key from your computer easily using any number of software key finders.

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Posted

what ? they can'T find the key themselves ? what a shitty repair shop

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Posted

Hello LTT community,

I got a bunch of viruses on my PC, so I had to send it to a repair shop. The only issue is that they asked for the windows key, and I can't seem to find it. I know the answer will  probably be that it is impossible, but I figured that asking would be worth a try. Is their any way to get a hold of the key? I was running windows 7 home premium, but it was upgraded to windows 10 home.

Thanks :-)

 

The key is generally on a sticker on the system. If you didnt paste the key on the system, it may be retrievable using a program such as Magical Jelly bean Keyfinder. However, with the win10 update... you may be out of luck unless you are able to do a downgrade back to 7. 

 

Are they planning on taking the Sledgehammer approach to fixing your system? Aka wipe it all and start over? Otherwise they shouldn't need your key. Also, if they are a "flat-rate" "we fix it all for $99", they likely didnt even try to fix your computer, and are resorting to the sledgehammer approach. 

 

Any shop worth their salt will likely charge you more, but, will also try everything under the sun to not have to wipe it and start over. 

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The only reason I see them needing the key is if they're completely reinstalling the OS. Since you have Windows 10, your Windows 10 key is stored on Microsoft servers. When you go through the process of installing, you can choose to skip entering the key. After, the OS will check to see if your motherboard is registered to a key on their servers.

 

TL;DR They shouldn't need the key to reinstall Windows 10.

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Well you dont need to window key if not of your spec changed. 

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Well you dont need to window key if not of your spec changed. 

that's only in the case of windows 10

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that's only in the case of windows 10

", but it was upgraded to windows 10 home." so it shouldn't be a problem...

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