Effect of Embedded Product Key on OEM Win8's--New License

znod

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This recent thread (Way of Performing Clean Install of Windows 8 OEM) (which also spawned this one--Marketplace Vote Win8 OEM Machine) identifies a number problems arising because of the way OEM’s (particularly Dell) are installing Win8. The first thread, at its most fundamental level, deals with this issue.

The point I am having issues with is to obtain Windows 8 media to clean install Windows 8 on a machine with Windows 8 OEM preinstalled without buying a second license.

This issue remains unresolved. And, it raises other important issues.

What happens if an OEM Win8 machine owner wants to reinstall Win8 using a purchased second license? Let's say he purchases Win8 system builder software to reinstall under the personal use license. In this regard, the product key provided by an OEM is somewhere embedded in the OEM Win8 machine (some say baked into the mobo, while others say embedded in the BIOS (what about UEFI?)).

Anyway, could/would the "embedded-ness" of this key cause any problems in reinstalling, as mentioned, using system builder software under the personal use license?

And, let's relax the system builder assumption--assuming instead that the owner purchases retail Win8 upgrade software. Here, could/would the "embedded-ness" of this key cause any problems in reinstalling cleanly as our tutorials show can be done (but maybe not in this case)?

Finally, for sure, where is the OEM provided product key embedded on the OEM Win8 machines?

Edit: It now is clear that embedded-ness is not an issue in regard to obliterating an OEM preinstalled installation of Windows 8 and clean reinstalling Windows 8. The embedded product key is used automatically by the "machine."
 
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In this regard, the product key provided by an OEM is somewhere embedded in the OEM Win8 machine (some say baked into the mobo, while others say embedded in the BIOS (what about UEFI?)).

Finally, for sure, where is the OEM provided product key embedded on the OEM Win8 machines?

I will relate my experience installing Win 8 Pro with Media Center.
I have a Gateway that had Win 8 OEM.
I went to the store & bought Win 8 Pro with Media Center.
I followed the instructions & got it installed without any problems.

Just to make sure everything was OK, I called--

Microsoft Product Support Customer Phone Number | Shortest Wait | Best Support | GetHuman.com

And talked to a Tech guy about it & he did a RPC & changed a few things free.
That was nice.

The point here is the new Windows had its own Product Key.
Different from the OEM Key.

There was a post here a while back about finding the Product Key.
The attached VBS script was posted.
It works good.

It showed my new Product Key.
And Product ID.
The ID being what you give to Microsoft when you ask for help.
You can find it in Control Panel under System.

I wrote down my ID & Key so I would have a hard copy to refer to before I used the VBS.

The VBS showed the exact same info I had written down, so I know it works.
Right click it & choose to Open with Command Prompt.

I hope this information is useful to somebody.
Added a picture-


 

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If you reinstall the same version, you won't need to input a key or activate as the burned in Oem key well get used.

If you install a different version, you would have to provide a key and then it would have to activate.

Don't think it makes a difference if you use system builder, retail,.MSDN or TechNet version of the disc.
 

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Well my question Is can you use that build in reset function on oem computer's, say if hp has put a laptop full of crapware will that reset function clean my c:/ drive so that laptop has clean crapwarefree windows 8 or would it just put that computer back to the state where it was when it was in store.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro mce
Factory restores well put you back just as it was from the store the day you got it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
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    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Hi Gang. Sorry to get back to you so late today. Spent a bunch of time on ESD-TO-ISO Won't Work in Win8 Pro: Try It 4 Me?, and I had too many other things going on to get back earlier.

In this regard, the product key provided by an OEM is somewhere embedded in the OEM Win8 machine (some say baked into the mobo, while others say embedded in the BIOS (what about UEFI?)).

Finally, for sure, where is the OEM provided product key embedded on the OEM Win8 machines?

I will relate my experience installing Win 8 Pro with Media Center.
I have a Gateway that had Win 8 OEM.
I went to the store & bought Win 8 Pro with Media Center.
I followed the instructions & got it installed without any problems.

Just to make sure everything was OK, I called--

Microsoft Product Support Customer Phone Number | Shortest Wait | Best Support | GetHuman.com

And talked to a Tech guy about it & he did a RPC & changed a few things free.
That was nice.

The point here is the new Windows had its own Product Key.
Different from the OEM Key.

There was a post here a while back about finding the Product Key.
The attached VBS script was posted.
It works good.

It showed my new Product Key.
And Product ID.
The ID being what you give to Microsoft when you ask for help.
You can find it in Control Panel under System.

I wrote down my ID & Key so I would have a hard copy to refer to before I used the VBS.

The VBS showed the exact same info I had written down, so I know it works.
Right click it & choose to Open with Command Prompt.

I hope this information is useful to somebody.
Added a picture-
Thank you. So, the bottom line is that you did an upgrade clean reinstall (or was it an upgrade reinstall?), and the old product key did not hold you back in any way, right? Did you obliterate all OEM input when you did what you did? Please see my next two replies.

If you reinstall the same version, you won't need to input a key or activate as the burned in Oem key well get used.

If you install a different version, you would have to provide a key and then it would have to activate.

Don't think it makes a difference if you use system builder, retail,.MSDN or TechNet version of the disc.
Thank you for your help. Let me make sure we are together here. What I would want to do is take things to the point of having only unallocated space on my HDD before reinstalling-whether or not changing version (wouldn't be changing version though). I don't think I made that clear above. Agree on no "difference if you use system builder, retail,.MSDN or TechNet version of the disc."

Well my question Is can you use that build in reset function on oem computer's, say if hp has put a laptop full of crapware will that reset function clean my c:/ drive so that laptop has clean crapwarefree windows 8 or would it just put that computer back to the state where it was when it was in store.
Wanting to obliterate all OEM input into my reinstall is what I am up to. Not made clear originally, I think. So, part of what I would want to do is rid myself of OEM crapware. I don't think the reset function from available via HP would do what you want. I don't think HP would let you off that easy. I am not sure what would happen if you tried reset from, say, the system builder software I mentioned.

To all, I am trying to make sure that if I obliterated all OEM installation input (except product key), then I would have no battles with my OEM-embedded product key when reinstalling starting with a drive having had zeros written to it--having all unallocated space prior to partitioning and whatever.
 
Last edited:

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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
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    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
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    Gateway
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    Dual Boot:
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    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
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Thank you. So, the bottom line is that you did an upgrade clean re-install (or was it an upgrade re-install?), and the old product key did not hold you back in any way, right? Did you obliterate all OEM input when you did what you did?

No upgrade version.
It was a FULL VERSION INSTALL

The OEM key did not affect the installation.

I bought the FULL version because in the past I had lots of troubles fixing things with simple UPGRADE versions.
I did a recovery backup on a thumb drive.
This will re-install the Full version.
After re-installing, I can use the product key that came with it to Activate it.

I also have a thumb drive with the OEM version.
I'll never use it, but I'll keep it just in case.

Also, my computer has a factory default recovery option.
I hope I never have to use IT.

Full versions are much better.
I got it when it was $40.
Now it costs much more.

EDIT- I removed crap I didn't want after it was installed & activated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Thank you. So, the bottom line is that you did an upgrade clean re-install (or was it an upgrade re-install?), and the old product key did not hold you back in any way, right? Did you obliterate all OEM input when you did what you did?

No upgrade version.
It was a FULL VERSION INSTALL

I'm not understanding. Full install, as in system builder, has always cost more that $40. Did you get the $39.99 version available through Jan 31--the one that increased drastically in price afterwards? If so, then all it provides is for is an upgrade install--which can be done cleanly with DVD or USB or "uncleanly" using various media.

The OEM key did not affect the installation.

That is good to know. Did you ever have to use the OEM product key in any way in doing your reinstallation?

I bought the FULL version because in the past I had lots of troubles fixing things with simple UPGRADE versions.

Full???


I did a recovery backup on a thumb drive.
This will re-install the Full version.
After re-installing, I can use the product key that came with it to Activate it.

How did you use the new product key? Did you use the change product key feature?

I also have a thumb drive with the OEM version.
I'll never use it, but I'll keep it just in case.

Good idea

Also, my computer has a factory default recovery option.
I hope I never have to use IT.

Full versions are much better. ???
I got it when it was $40. ???
Now it costs much more.

EDIT- I removed crap I didn't want after it was installed & activated.

What did you remove--given clean install from non-OEM source?
Thanks very much for your reply. Please see inserts above.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Thank you. So, the bottom line is that you did an upgrade clean re-install (or was it an upgrade re-install?), and the old product key did not hold you back in any way, right? Did you obliterate all OEM input when you did what you did?

No upgrade version.
It was a FULL VERSION INSTALL

I'm not understanding. Full install, as in system builder, has always cost more that $40. Did you get the $39.99 version available through Jan 31? If so, then all it provides is for is an upgrade install--which can be done cleanly with DVD or USB or "uncleanly" using various media.

I went to Staples.
I picked out what I thought was the Full version.
I asked the clerk & he said no,that was the Upgrade from OEM version.
He picked out the Full version for me.
I asked if it was $40 too.
He said yes.I bought it.My computer had Windows 8 oem. I replaced it with Windows 8 Pro with Media center.

The OEM key did not affect the installation.

That is good to know. Did you ever have to use the OEM product key in any way in doing your reinstallation?

NO.

I bought the FULL version because in the past I had lots of troubles fixing things with simple UPGRADE versions.

Full???

Years ago I had XP oem.There was an upgrade for $200 & full for $300.I got the $300 one.It replaced the oem entirely.Same with the win 8 pro I bought.

I did a recovery backup on a thumb drive.
This will re-install the Full version.
After re-installing, I can use the product key that came with it to Activate it.

How did you use the new product key? Did you use the change product key feature?

I activated it online.The old key had nothing to do with it.

I also have a thumb drive with the OEM version.
I'll never use it, but I'll keep it just in case.

Good idea

Also, my computer has a factory default recovery option.
I hope I never have to use IT.

Full versions are much better. ???--- If something goes wrong they are easier to fix.
I got it when it was $40. ???--- That's what they charged me.
Now it costs much more.

EDIT- I removed crap I didn't want after it was installed & activated.

What did you remove--given clean install from non-OEM source?--- Bing,& other stuff I can't remember.Stuff that I would never use.I Un-installed the stuff.I never just Delete.Bad practice.
Thanks very much for your careful reply. Please see inserts above.

​All I have now is Windows 8 Pro with Media Center.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
If you are going to upgrade you can use the vbs script to find your present ID & Key.
Write them down.
Then if you need them, you'll have them.
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I see. What apparently you got is the Pro Pack. I think it is classified as an upgrade (i.e., providing an upgrade from Win8 to Win8 Pro), but it doesn't really matter. Note that the link says "to install Windows 8 Pro Pack, you must be running Windows 8." That statement may or may not be true as MS makes similar statements in regard to the Win8 retail upgrade DVD. Not that it matters, but was Win 8 on your machine when you installed.

If you are going to upgrade you can use the vbs script to find your present ID & Key.
Write them down.
Then if you need them, you'll have them.
:)
Yes.


Thanks again for all the info.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Yes, it is ProPack.
I had win 8 oem on computer.

I just related what the Staples guy said.

Maybe I got ripped off ?

Here are 2 pictures saying I have Windows 8 Pro with Media Center -


 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Yes, it is ProPack.
I had win 8 oem on computer.

I just related what the Staples guy said.

Maybe I got ripped off ?

Here are 2 pictures saying I have Windows 8 Pro with Media Center -


No you did fine. WMC is part of the Pro Pack. Upgrade or not your disc can be used to do clean install/reinstall of Win8. Worst possible case should be that you'd have to do a refresh after reinstalling to activate. See posts #9 and #16 (especially this one) of this thread: Will the disk burnt with Win 8 ISO install full Windows 8? Note that I am not running UEFI--to be clear on the circumstances under which I reinstalled. Same sort of thing can be done under UEFI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
What I mean was if I have say pre installed norton 30 day trial and office 30 day trial and list goes on.
So if I would hit that reset button will it load fresh windows or that same bloadware 30 day trial norton, office and other bloatware shits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro mce
What I mean was if I have say pre installed norton 30 day trial and office 30 day trial and list goes on.
So if I would hit that reset button will it load fresh windows or that same bloadware 30 day trial norton, office and other bloatware poops.

See picture--
 

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So it loads those preinstalled 30 day trials and other bloatware, so if in that situation user wants clean windows reset option is not the way to go.
 

My Computer

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    windows 8 pro mce
What I mean was if I have say pre installed norton 30 day trial and office 30 day trial and list goes on.
So if I would hit that reset button will it load fresh windows or that same bloadware 30 day trial norton, office and other bloatware shits.
I think HP probably has set things up so that the bloatware is reinstalled.
 

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If you reinstall the same version, you won't need to input a key or activate as the burned in Oem key well get used.

If you install a different version, you would have to provide a key and then it would have to activate.

Don't think it makes a difference if you use system builder, retail,.MSDN or TechNet version of the disc.

Hi there
Clarification : -- W8 Enterprise from TechNet -- VL license (or "not exactly" but certainly > 500 activations on same or different computers allowed).

The principle as Pparks1 states is correct in any case -- any copy of Windows after W2000 needs a product key to activate - some versions like the latest OEM license will allow you to transfer the key to a new machine --previously OEM licences were restricted to the original machine W8 was installed on.

Mind you if you need to install / re-activate 500 times then I'd suggest there might be something wrong with your working methods,

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Thanks jimbo45. If not clear, as posted above, my issue is this one:

"To all, I am trying to make sure that if I obliterated all OEM installation input (except product key), then I would have no battles with my OEM-embedded product key when reinstalling starting with a drive having had zeros written to it--having all unallocated space prior to partitioning and whatever."

I would appreciate your input.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Thanks jimbo45. If not clear, as posted above, my issue is this one:

"To all, I am trying to make sure that if I obliterated all OEM installation input (except product key), then I would have no battles with my OEM-embedded product key when reinstalling starting with a drive having had zeros written to it--having all unallocated space prior to partitioning and whatever."

I would appreciate your input.

My understanding is that you could remove the hard drive, place a brand new hard drive in your machine, insert the Windows DVD begin the install, and have an activated product with no prompts whatsoever for a key. (provided you use exactly the same version that you had originally. So, if you had Windows 8 you would need Windows 8, and if you had 8 Pro, you would need 8 pro.
 

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    Windows 7
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