Desktop under Rs. 50,000 (2024)

[Sushubh]

slmgr might have been helpful before updating bios and formatting windows I assume they are to be run on activated windows

 

[Lolita_Magnum]

Yes. It doesn't work once the key is in broken state after bios update.

 

[Jonas]

Sad story. Retail licenses come with transferability, so why wouldn't microsoft help in this case?

When I reinstalled windows it created a user directory with my full first name. It wasn't something I wanted, but I just rolled with it. My installation was done using the hotmail account and I created a local account later with which I can login now. But then it was on the same computer and Windows got activated on its own upon connecting to the internet.

 

[Sushubh]

Problem is bios update or disabling tpu in my case probably after activating. Should have done all that before activation. It would likely have suffered the same fate without reinstall. Many threads on bios update related mess on their support community.

 

[Jonas]

If I happen to upgrade my system or get a new desktop, I am going through this thread as a first step. Lol

 

[Sushubh]

i guess as per @Lolita_Magnum. run the three commands on existing activated windows and only then wipe out your windows or change your hardware. i mean i have zero trust if that would have helped in my case. but still good to know

 

[Navjot Singh]

Another useful command one can bookmark is this. This will display your Windows key. However, it will work only if your PC comes with Windows pre-installed i.e. laptops.

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

For desktops, the following works better.

ProduKey - Recover lost product key (CD-Key) of Windows/MS-Office/SQL Server

Recover lost product key (CD-Key) of Microsoft Office 2003, Office 2007, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003/2008, Windows 7, and more.

www.nirsoft.net

 

[Sushubh]

What's the use if Microsoft doesn't accept key that has been used .

It rejected my key that was converted into digital licence

 

[sloj]

Haven't used desktop in a while but updated BIOS for the laptop last night. BIOS updates usually have an option to disable Bitlocker for the update process. TPM, secure boot could be an issue but should be mentioned in the BIOS update release info.

 

[Sushubh]

Anyways if anyone active here works at Ms and has access to employee discount for licenses, please ping me. I need to get a backup license considering the mess Microsoft has made. I had buy retail but if they are going to kill keys just like this... I really don't want to do that.