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

 

[fragment137]

I would imagine that there shouldn't be any issues with re-installations as long as the user is using recovery media that came with the unit. Embedding the product key into the BIOS shouldn't have any issues as long as any firmware upgrades from the manufacturer take into account that the key needs to be migrated some how.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I would imagine that there shouldn't be any issues with re-installations as long as the user is using recovery media that came with the unit. Embedding the product key into the BIOS shouldn't have any issues as long as any firmware upgrades from the manufacturer take into account that the key needs to be migrated some how.

1. What if you want to do a clean install?

2. Is it really possible for a bad firmware upgrade to wipe the key?

 

[Tepid]

1. What if you want to do a clean install?

Should not be an issue since Win8 can do a clean install on itself.

2. Is it really possible for a bad firmware upgrade to wipe the key?

Yes, which is why I would check that the mobo has Dual Bios for a backup.
imo, that should be standard by now.

 

[fragment137]

1. What if you want to do a clean install?

Should not be an issue since Win8 can do a clean install on itself.

2. Is it really possible for a bad firmware upgrade to wipe the key?

Yes, which is why I would check that the mobo has Dual Bios for a backup.
imo, that should be standard by now.

Is there a way to visually read the key if it's embedded in the BIOS? Usually if I want to do a fresh install on a machine and I can't see the key on the machine, I'll just use ProduKey or something along those lines to pull the key out of the OS

 

[FuturDreamz]

1. What if you want to do a clean install?

Should not be an issue since Win8 can do a clean install on itself.

2. Is it really possible for a bad firmware upgrade to wipe the key?

Yes, which is why I would check that the mobo has Dual Bios for a backup.
imo, that should be standard by now.

Is there a way to visually read the key if it's embedded in the BIOS? Usually if I want to do a fresh install on a machine and I can't see the key on the machine, I'll just use ProduKey or something along those lines to pull the key out of the OS

Can ProduKey reflash the BIOS with the key?

If a manufacturer ****s up your key, they will be obligated to fix it for you and will not provide a reflashing tool for the few people that copied their key.

 

[fragment137]

Should not be an issue since Win8 can do a clean install on itself.



Yes, which is why I would check that the mobo has Dual Bios for a backup.
imo, that should be standard by now.

Is there a way to visually read the key if it's embedded in the BIOS? Usually if I want to do a fresh install on a machine and I can't see the key on the machine, I'll just use ProduKey or something along those lines to pull the key out of the OS

Can ProduKey reflash the BIOS with the key?

If a manufacturer ****s up your key, they will be obligated to fix it for you and will not provide a reflashing tool for the few people that copied their key.

I don't pretend to completely understand the Windows authentication process, but if the key is embedded in the BIOS and not stored anywhere in the OS it definitely does pose a problem in terms of retrieval in those types of situations. It might ebb the controversy of there being no warranty on software.

 

[theog]

I'll just use ProduKey or something along those lines to pull the key out of the OS

Only works for non- manufacturer OEM keys.

You can not use the factory OEM-SLP activation method Product Key that Belarc, may/may not find to reinstall Windows.
System Locked Pre-installation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Kat]

I don't like the idea at all, and can foresee major issues being had with it.

And I see no benefit whatsoever for the end-user.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Wouldn't that mean that replacement motherboards would have to ship with their own keys?

 

[ionbasa]

Wouldn't that mean that replacement motherboards would have to ship with their own keys?

I don't believe so, I thought each OEM has a specific key, which was then activated by Microsoft, and a unique check scum of the hardware/OS/UEFI was stored in the OS when being activated online or through the phone.

 

[Tepid]

if that is the case then there will be no more finding a clean OEM disk and trying to reinstall without all the factory garbage the OEM's throw in. You will either have to use the disk provided by the OEM, or the clean install method from within Win8 recovery.

However, Buy Barebones and a System Builder OEM Disk. That is the solution.
Or from small shops that won't install garbage.

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

 

[alphanumeric]

Wouldn't that mean that replacement motherboards would have to ship with their own keys?

I don't believe so, I thought each OEM has a specific key, which was then activated by Microsoft, and a unique check scum of the hardware/OS/UEFI was stored in the OS when being activated online or through the phone.

With the old OA2.1 and windows 7 and lower that was the case. Dell had its key HP had its key etc. With the new OA3.0, that Windows 8 uses, each PC has a unique product key all its own. There isn't any real point in trying to find it as you can't use it anyway. From what I've read, if the install media see the BIOS product code it uses it and installs the matching version of Windows 8. It will then activate online the first chance it gets. If you are trying to install 8 Pro and it installed core by default all you do is go to add features and type in your Pro product code. It will then upgrade and activate with the new key. Same deal to add media center. If its an off the shelf non OEM branded motherboard with a normal BIOS, you'll get asked to enter your product code and it will install what ever version your install media is coded for. That's what I've read, haven't tried any of it myself to prove it one way or the other though.

 

[fragment137]

if that is the case then there will be no more finding a clean OEM disk and trying to reinstall without all the factory garbage the OEM's throw in. You will either have to use the disk provided by the OEM, or the clean install method from within Win8 recovery.

However, Buy Barebones and a System Builder OEM Disk. That is the solution.
Or from small shops that won't install garbage.

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

I completely agree! Mind you this doesn't really work with laptops.

 

[joel406]

Ok! Here's what's happening. If you have a laptop with a bios embedded key you CAN use a OEM disk to install and activate. As long as the disk matches the version of the key embedded. Windows 8 (core) or Windows 8 (Pro).

I get new laptops all the time for setup before they are put into service and I use OEM disk to flush all the OEM add in bloat ware. Then install all required software for the final user.

So the short answer is you just don't have to type a product key when installing. But any Windows 8 disk will work.

 

[Hopachi]

1. What if you want to do a clean install?

It can be done with the provided recovery media but depends on manufacturer.
HP, for example, gives you the choice weather you install all their programs or none of them: leaving the system clean.

 

[Tepid]

if that is the case then there will be no more finding a clean OEM disk and trying to reinstall without all the factory garbage the OEM's throw in. You will either have to use the disk provided by the OEM, or the clean install method from within Win8 recovery.

However, Buy Barebones and a System Builder OEM Disk. That is the solution.
Or from small shops that won't install garbage.

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

I completely agree! Mind you this doesn't really work with laptops.

That is not entirely true. It is not as prevalent, but they do exist.
Takes a little more creative hunting, but.....

Amazon.com: MSI Whitebook MS-16F3 - 15.6" - no CPU - no OS - 0: Electronics

Ok, so, I did some searching. And it is unfortunate, but this market has dried up. A few years ago, they really tried very hard to open the path to bare bones laptops. I think there are some still out there, but they are hard to find. so I concede.

 

[theog]

Here can order with or without OS.

The Novatech nFinity N1401

 

[Torrentula81]

I bought a laptop with windows 8 preinstalled. Never again. HP recovery has 3 options. Can't remember exactly but minimal, factory, and another type. There was no installation that did not put something of HP stuff on computer. One of them appeared to look good until went into system 32 folder and saw some HP files in there. Doing clean instal from windows 8 said need to use installation disks ie recovery disks cause installation files werent good enough. Called Microsoft asking how to do a clean instal. Can't even buy windows 8 yet to do that. Not till january 31st will you get a key to freeh instal windows. On the feedback form I told them way to fight piracy. They lost.

 

[theog]

I bought a laptop with windows 8 preinstalled. Never again. HP recovery has 3 options. Can't remember exactly but minimal, factory, and another type. There was no installation that did not put something of HP stuff on computer. One of them appeared to look good until went into system 32 folder and saw some HP files in there. Doing clean instal from windows 8 said need to use installation disks ie recovery disks cause installation files werent good enough. Called Microsoft asking how to do a clean instal. Can't even buy windows 8 yet to do that. Not till january 31st will you get a key to freeh instal windows. On the feedback form I told them way to fight piracy. They lost.

Have a look on the web, you can in the UK.
Cheap Operating Systems from Microsoft