Extracting Windows Key from Hard Drive?

[Hex.]

I recently swapped my motherboard on my PC, which was originally prebuilt. On boot, I got this "Activate Windows" overlay. I contacted MS support asking how I could fix it, and they said I had to swap everything back to my old motherboard to get the product key, then replace everything again and input the key..

 

I obviously don't want to do that, so I was wondering if there was any program that could help me find the key on the HDD to reactivate?

[thekeemo]

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

[Hex.]

1 minute ago, thekeemo said:

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

Thanks. Will try it out.

[Guest]

I wonder if changing the motherboard would affect an OEM version of Windows 

[Hex.]

Didn't work. I got this:

 

Unable to open MSDM table!

This PC does not contain an embedded product key - search for a product key sticker or contact your manufacturer for assistance.

[Squish4058]

I thought the way it worked was when you activate windows the windows key and motherboard ID is send to microsoft and binded together, so if you activate another motherboard with another mobo ID already bounded to the key it gets rejected. Also thought it you called them up and say your motherboard broke they would unbind it and block the old mobo ID

[Sintezza]

8 hours ago, IAmLamp said:

I wonder if changing the motherboard would affect an OEM version of Windows 

Yes it will brick activation.

[Sintezza]

Magic Jellybean key finder.

[Guest]

13 hours ago, kris2340k said:

I thought the way it worked was when you activate windows the windows key and motherboard ID is send to microsoft and binded together, so if you activate another motherboard with another mobo ID already bounded to the key it gets rejected. Also thought it you called them up and say your motherboard broke they would unbind it and block the old mobo ID

I'm happy I have a retail version for this reason