BIOS-embedded Windows 8 product keys - reinstall troubles?

Those purchasing Windows 8 PCs are noticing that the small "Certificate of Authenticity" that is normally home to the product key is missing, and instead a "Genuine Microsoft" label has replaced it.

This seems to be a cause of concern, and is prompting a number of questions.

Rather than using a sticker, PC manufacturers are instead embedding the product key -- associated with a fingerprint of the hardware -- into the BIOS/UEFI firmware on the motherboard. This is part of Microsoft new OEM Activation 3.0 (OA 3.0) mechanism and has been designed to combat piracy and, according to my OEM contacts, makes it easier for OEMs to order new keys from Microsoft, and even return unused keys back to Microsoft.

But what does it mean to the end user?

Read more at source:
Will BIOS-embedded Windows 8 product keys cause reinstall troubles? | ZDNet

 

[alphanumeric]

Is there any charge on ordering the Recovery disk if my Dell is only 4 months' new?

There likely will be, as it was you that messed it up. I'm not trying to be a smart @ss, but its definitely not their fault. They won't consider it a defect that's for sure.

 

[MrBill]

I have one of these machines. I have replaced the hard drive with an SSD, and even used a clean version of Windows 8.1 instead of the OEM reimage. I have had zero problems, and in fact love it. It automatically associates the OEM license with my new version of Windows. So I still have my other license, and don't have to worry about the license locking on me at some point for multiple reinstalls. Personally, I love the design.

 

[popeye]

I have one of these machines. I have replaced the hard drive with an SSD, and even used a clean version of Windows 8.1 instead of the OEM reimage. I have had zero problems, and in fact love it. It automatically associates the OEM license with my new version of Windows. So I still have my other license, and don't have to worry about the license locking on me at some point for multiple reinstalls. Personally, I love the design.

Yea, if you have retail disc or an ISO it is great. But many people fail to to make any image or backup media of their OEM install then something like this happens and they have nothing to recover with.
Live and learn as they say.

 

[ccpyue]

I have one of these machines. I have replaced the hard drive with an SSD, and even used a clean version of Windows 8.1 instead of the OEM reimage. I have had zero problems, and in fact love it. It automatically associates the OEM license with my new version of Windows. So I still have my other license, and don't have to worry about the license locking on me at some point for multiple reinstalls. Personally, I love the design.

Yea, if you have retail disc or an ISO it is great. But many people fail to to make any image or backup media of their OEM install then something like this happens and they have nothing to recover with.
Live and learn as they say.

yes Popeye, you 100% correct. But it is too late for someone like me. Till now, I still confused on the function of "Factory Default Recovery". If I created this "Factory Default Recovery" disks, in future, when my laptop down or crashed, can I use these "Factory Default Recovery" disks to re-install my Windows OS? if yes, is that means these Disks have containing the Window ISO file inside?

 

[popeye]

I have one of these machines. I have replaced the hard drive with an SSD, and even used a clean version of Windows 8.1 instead of the OEM reimage. I have had zero problems, and in fact love it. It automatically associates the OEM license with my new version of Windows. So I still have my other license, and don't have to worry about the license locking on me at some point for multiple reinstalls. Personally, I love the design.

Yea, if you have retail disc or an ISO it is great. But many people fail to to make any image or backup media of their OEM install then something like this happens and they have nothing to recover with.
Live and learn as they say.

yes Popeye, you 100% correct. But it is too late for someone like me. Till now, I still confused on the function of "Factory Default Recovery". If I created this "Factory Default Recovery" disks, in future, when my laptop down or crashed, can I use these "Factory Default Recovery" disks to re-install my Windows OS? if yes, is that means these Disks have containing the Window ISO file inside?

Yes, basically, but normally they are wim files versus ISO and some manufacturers allow creation of discs while others flash drives and some both. Acer has a utility that only creates a USB recovery stick, no disc(s).

 

[alphanumeric]

I have one of these machines. I have replaced the hard drive with an SSD, and even used a clean version of Windows 8.1 instead of the OEM reimage. I have had zero problems, and in fact love it. It automatically associates the OEM license with my new version of Windows. So I still have my other license, and don't have to worry about the license locking on me at some point for multiple reinstalls. Personally, I love the design.

My ASUS laptop came with Windows 8.0. If I use my 8.0 TechNet ISO the embedded product code is used automatically and 8.0 Core is installed. Activates automatically online too. As far as I know my TechNet ISO's are identical to Retail Disks. If I use an 8.1 ISO the embedded code is ignored and I get prompted to enter one. I could install with a generic code and activate with my 8.0 code but its just easier to enter one of my TechNet keys. That way I can skip the extra step to upgrade to Pro, which I would do anyway.

 

[adamf]

What was the question here? I think I missed it.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yea, if you have retail disc or an ISO it is great. But many people fail to to make any image or backup media of their OEM install then something like this happens and they have nothing to recover with.
Live and learn as they say.

yes Popeye, you 100% correct. But it is too late for someone like me. Till now, I still confused on the function of "Factory Default Recovery". If I created this "Factory Default Recovery" disks, in future, when my laptop down or crashed, can I use these "Factory Default Recovery" disks to re-install my Windows OS? if yes, is that means these Disks have containing the Window ISO file inside?

Yes, basically, but normally they are wim files versus ISO and some manufacturers allow creation of discs while others flash drives and some both. Acer has a utility that only creates a USB recovery stick, no disc(s).

Yeah, with the recovery media its not so much installing as it is restoring an image. After the recovery its back to the OOBE, Out Of the Box Experience. It's just like it was the first time you turned it on. The recovery media contains an image of the original factory install.

 

[popeye]

What was the question here? I think I missed it.

Yea, all over the place.

 

[alphanumeric]

What was the question here? I think I missed it.

The bump to this old thread was to ask how to find out what the embedded BIOS key was. And to state the it being hidden was a potential issue for that user.

 

[tupham]

HI,

You need the "Retail OEM" install media to utilise your embedded windows license. Technet versions are never Retail either so I'm pretty sure it was never using you embedded license. The Technet version you installed maybe was volume licensed? Did you ever verify which edition it was and the license key?

Unfortunately for you, Retail OEM Install media are only distributed to OEMs so you're only chance is to download it illegally.

So anyway, a factory recovery disk would usually restore your machine to "Out-Of-Box" state. The recovery disk usually contains a custom windows image but nowadays, the vendors keep the windows image on a recovery boot partition hidden on your hard disk.

Seeing that your hardware is still under warranty, Dell should offer to restore your machine to factory. If you've voided the warranty by swapping the hard drive, then I'm sure our wouldn't be too difficult to find the Windows OEM Media... Or maybe even go to your nearest Dell reseller and ask them.

 

[tupham]

By the way, if you think your technet Win 8.0 install is retail, you should be able to upgrade to Win 8.1 for free via the Microsoft Store (rhe one on the Metro screen). Make sure your Windows Updates are up too date, otherwise the Windows 8.1 free upgrade won't appear in the store.

 

[alphanumeric]

HI,

You need the "Retail OEM" install media to utilise your embedded windows license. Technet versions are never Retail either so I'm pretty sure it was never using you embedded license. The Technet version you installed maybe was volume licensed? Did you ever verify which edition it was and the license key?

Unfortunately for you, Retail OEM Install media are only distributed to OEMs so you're only chance is to download it illegally.

So anyway, a factory recovery disk would usually restore your machine to "Out-Of-Box" state. The recovery disk usually contains a custom windows image but nowadays, the vendors keep the windows image on a recovery boot partition hidden on your hard disk.

Seeing that your hardware is still under warranty, Dell should offer to restore your machine to factory. If you've voided the warranty by swapping the hard drive, then I'm sure our wouldn't be too difficult to find the Windows OEM Media... Or maybe even go to your nearest Dell reseller and ask them.

I verified that my TechNet ISO did in fact use my embedded key. 8.0 Core was installed automatically. And no it was not volume license, it was Windows 8 (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English) which can install Core or Pro. My TechNet and MSDN keys are listed as being Retail Keys.

 

[alphanumeric]

By the way, if you think your technet Win 8.0 install is retail, you should be able to upgrade to Win 8.1 for free via the Microsoft Store (rhe one on the Metro screen). Make sure your Windows Updates are up too date, otherwise the Windows 8.1 free upgrade won't appear in the store.

I did upgrade to 8.1 on my laptop as a test and had issues so I have no desire to go down that road again. I can do a clean install of 8.1 and avoid the whole update download etc. I could have saved using one of my TechNet keys but I have more than I need so I used them. It's a lot quicker and easier to just clean install 8.1 Pro and be done with it.

 

[genet]

is that means these Disks have containing the Window ISO file inside?

If you have created a Windows 8 recovery USB flash drive by selecting the option "Copy the recovery partition from the PC to the recovery drive", then the sources folder contains the install.wim image file or the split image files: Install.swm, Install2.swm, Install3.swm, etc

Here is more info: http://www.eightforums.com/installa...reinstalling-windonws-8-usb-2.html#post368623

 

[tupham]

Totally agree. . the factory images are always full of bloatware. Plus you get extra disk space if you blow away the recovery partition and compile a USB recovery disk or burn it to dvds.

 

[theog]

Totally disagree, you have options to buy OEM manufacturer's PC's with clean install DVD's Windows 7 & 8 (8.1)

It is all about doing your homework.

Some OEM manufacturer's are now install Windows 7.

My OEM test rig,Windows 8 specs:

OS Provided Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Edition Microsoft Office Preloaded Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC. Software Drivers & Utilities, Nero Essentials S, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), Recovery, Windows 7 / Windows 8 Pro Twin-Pack recovery DVD

My OEM test rig,Windows 8.1 specs:

Compatible operating systems

Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Windows 7 Home Basic (EM) 32-bit,\r\nWindows Vista, Windows XP, \r\nopenSUSE Linux

Windows 8.1 specs:

Windows 7 Professional Load with Windows 8.1 Pro license + Office 2013 trial,

Both rig's came with OEM manufacturer's clean install DVD's Windows 7 & 8 (8.1)

 

[vrosa]

Stop buying big box OEM PC's and support your local PC Guy

 

[alphanumeric]

Sure you have that option, but how many OEM's actually let you do that, and at what price? I also bet it's not every system they sell. The average Joe is still (for the most part) stuck with the bloated factory OEM install and no real install media.

 

[alphanumeric]

Stop buying big box OEM PC's and support your local PC Guy

Sort of. I build my own desktop PC's so I installed the OS of my choice and skiped all the unneeded bloat. Not so easy to do if you buy a laptop or tablet though. I'm lucky and have an MSDN subscription so I wiped both our laptops and did clean installs on SSD's. Not everybody can do that. Getting your hands on the ISO's can be a pain for a lot of people.

I don't see myself ever buying a premade OEM desktop PC, and even if I did It wouldn't be long before I reinstalled the OS my way.