These days Windows 10 is the OS that comes preinstalled on most devices by the manufacturer itself. This practice has been started since Windows 8 was released, and now a major chunk of the laptops sold come with either Windows 8.1, which you can upgrade to Windows 10, or some laptops already have Windows 10. But the problem arises when you need to reinstall Windows. You must enter the key to activate Windows, and these days, the manufacturers don’t offer any documentation for that. In specific, we observed that many Lenovo users are having issues activating Windows after a reinstall, so today, we will help them troubleshoot these issues.
How to Find Windows 10 Key on Lenovo Laptops (Different Models)
Upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 & unable to find the key
Since the Windows 8 launch, the OEM’s stores and encrypts the product key of Windows in the UEFI or BIOS firmware chip. The product key is no longer on the COA sticker to help prevent theft. Whenever you need to reset or reinstall the same operating system on your OEM PC, the product key will automatically be applied and activated.
Want to Install Windows on the New SSD You Bought for Lenovo Y50-70??
Follow this link to create installation media for Windows. If your laptop came with Windows 8.1, then create installation media for Windows 8.1 only, or else it won’t work. The key is embedded, so once you install Windows using the installation media you just created, the key will be applied automatically, and Windows will be activated.
Need to Re-install Windows 8 on Lenovo U410 & Activate Windows?
Installed Linux After Deleting all Partitions on Lenovo Ideapad Z500, Now I Want to go back to Windows?
If your laptop came with Windows 8/Windows 8.1/Windows 10, then there should be no issues while getting back to Windows from Linux despite the fact that you have deleted all the partitions. Install the same Windows version that came with the laptop, and the Windows should get activated automatically. However, if you want to retrieve the key, you can use this simple tool.
Lenovo G710 came with Windows 8 but was downgraded to Windows 7. How to Obtain the Key for Windows 8?
Your Windows 8 license key is embedded in your UEFI (BIOS). This is the MS OEM Activation (OA3) process. Should you choose to clean-install Windows 8, it will pick up and use that embedded key as long as the disk matches the same version – Standard or Pro – whichever came on your machine.
Upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 on Lenovo G500, but Unable to Find the Key or Activate Windows?
Microsoft lets users upgrade from Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, but this problem is common for many. It is recommended that you restore the system to the original Windows 8.1 and then upgrade again after running all updates. To restore, please navigate as follows.
<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Go back to Windows 8.1</span>
Once you have gone back to Windows 8.1, install all the updates, and then try to upgrade to Windows 10 again. However, Lenovo doesn’t recommend Windows 10 for G500; keep that in mind because once you have upgraded, you might again face trouble while looking for drives.
Can’t Boot to Onekey Recovery on Lenovo G50-70 Running Windows 8.1
Onekey Recovery is the easiest way to refresh the Windows installation but as the Onekey Recovery itself is the troublemaker, try these steps.
1. Download OKR8 Engineering ISO
and use Rufus
to burn it to a USB stick.
2. Download Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool
to download the ISO and copy it to another system.
3. Change the BIOS to legacy mode to boot from USB.
4. Run the OKR8
to format the HDD.
5. Install Windows 8.1 and restore the recovery partition which you can merge with the newly made recovery partition.
6. Boot into Onekey Recovery now. It should be able to reset the laptop.
How to Retrieve the Product Key from BIOS on Lenovo Y580?
There is a simple guide for that, which you can read by clicking this link. It looks like the guide is being updated as well as the required tools do.
Upgraded Lenovo ThinkCentre E73 to Windows 8.1, and Now I Installed Windows 10. How to activate it?
You can find the Windows 8.1 key by following this guide. However, before you can clean install a copy of Windows 10, you will need to upgrade your current Windows 8.1 installation to Windows 10 then activate it. This step will convert your Windows 8.1 key to a Windows 10 key and syncs your hardware ID and activation license to the Microsoft servers. Once you have an activated copy of Windows 10, you can clean install and activate Windows 10.
These were some of the most asked questions and problems Lenovo users faced with Windows keys. If you have any other queries or know about a better workaround, let us know via the comments below, and we will include it.
I have free laptop, I missing my product key. How to get product key.