Windows 10 Update Considerations
I haven’t installed Windows 10 (W10) preferring to wait for more stable releases. But whatever you decide I recommend extensive research because W10 may not be what you expect or want. My main conc...
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Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys
Here's an article that explains that Windows 8 pc's do not come with product keys because that information is embedded in the BIOS. I was posting something that I had read in multiple sources. If you disagree with this article please provide your sources.
Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys
To save you time here's the relevant quote:
"One of the improvements Microsoft is making to Activation 3.0 for newly built machines that come preloaded with Windows 8, you won't have a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker attached to the machine anymore. Instead, this will be embedded in the BIOS. This will avoid product keys from being compromised and OEMs will buy what they need."
My Toshiba Satellite purchased last year did not come with a Windows sticker or any other authentication information.
Gdetrailer wrote:
Docj's post is 100% incorrect.
The program Docj linked does not look into the BIOS for the key, it actually looks into WINDOWS that is installed on the PC.
That program is useful ONLY if your COA with the license key is missing or destroyed to the point you can not read it.
That link also states that the COA is not included with new PCs, that is not true either.. That would be a violation of the manufacturers OEM licensing agreement with MS if they do not include the COA sticker on each PC they load Windows..
Here's an article that explains that Windows 8 pc's do not come with product keys because that information is embedded in the BIOS. I was posting something that I had read in multiple sources. If you disagree with this article please provide your sources.
Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys
To save you time here's the relevant quote:
"One of the improvements Microsoft is making to Activation 3.0 for newly built machines that come preloaded with Windows 8, you won't have a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker attached to the machine anymore. Instead, this will be embedded in the BIOS. This will avoid product keys from being compromised and OEMs will buy what they need."
My Toshiba Satellite purchased last year did not come with a Windows sticker or any other authentication information.
