How to Retrieve Windows Product Key from Windows.old folder : As we know that in order to Upgrade earlier version of Windows to newer version it requires an active Internet connection so as to download the required windows files from Microsoft server which is quite frustrating unless you are having a very high speed Internet connection. Therefore in order to avoid this frustration it is best preferred to download the Windows ISO file and use that ISO file for up-gradation which not only offers easy up-gradation but also allows you to upgrade as many times as you wish to upgrade without having to download again and again. The only problem that users face in this case is the Windows activation process because here users are upgrading via the Windows ISO File so you need to have the Windows Product Key to get your Windows copy licensed after Up-gradation. Here below I have shared my recent experience of upgrading Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 by using Windows ISO. Check below on how to find Windows product key in Windows.old. This methods works perfectly for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 installations.
My Personal Experience :
Recently I tried to Upgrade Windows 8 laptop to Windows 8.1 using the ISO file and I proceeded with installation process by using the Windows Generic key during installation and before the process I forgot to note down my old Windows 8 product key. Later I thought Windows will automatically catch the Windows key via BIOS but that didn’t happened and I didn’t have any Windows Product Key sticker or label on my laptop therefore I finally recovered my Windows 8 product key from the Windows.old directory for which here below I have shared detailed instructions. Read below on how to find Windows product key in Windows.old folder.
How to Find Windows Product Key in Windows.Old : Steps to Follow
In all the Windows 8 based laptops the laptops are shipped with the product key embedded in the BIOS which can be used for direct activation with active Internet connection and here also we are going to retrieve that product key from BIOS and use it for the Windows Activation process.
I used the ProduKey Tool for Retrieving my Windows Product key. Basically ProduKey is a small utility that displays the ProductID and the CD-Key of Microsoft Office (Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2007), Windows (Including Windows 7 and Windows Vista), Exchange Server, and SQL Server installed on your computer.
- Download ProduKey Tool – Click here to Download
After you download, install and run the program and from there you can note down your Windows (BIOS OEM Key) and use this key for your upgraded windows activation process.