Solved Will I need a Product key if I have to replace HDD

I am trying to do some work on a laptop (Win 8). HDD is completely dead so I can't read the product key from it. I am going to replace the HDD and reinstall Win 8 on it. How ever I know from experience I can't install 8 unless I have a product key.
I have read that Win 8 stores the key on the motherboard, and that when installing Win 8 it will pull the key from the motherboard.
Is this true? and will it work?

Thanks

WAX

Hello WAX,

If your laptop originally came with Windows 8/8.1 installed by the OEM, then it'll have its product key embedded in the UEFI firmware chip of the motherboard.

When you install Windows 8.1, it'll automatically detect the product key if it's the same edition the key is for.

Thanks I got this resolved. I tried a few different Win 8.1 iso media's. Finally found one that worked and detected the key.

Thanks

WAX

Great news.