Same key all over
oywino opened this issue · comments
Showkey v1.0.6371 shows the same key on all my Windows 10 Pro computers!
Of course this is not the case, and I know that each computer has been installed with a unique key.
The only possible explanation I can think of, is the fact that I chose to store the ShowKey EXE file on a NAS server, and I run the same exe files from all my computers.
Could that be the reason?
WINDOWS 10 COA are the same?
Default Windows 10 Home product key: YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
Default Windows 10 Pro product key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
If you see those product keys above, that's the same for every Windows 10 PC in the world that was upgraded during the Microsoft offer. If there is a way finding the Windows 7 Product key , you can use that when re-installing windows 10.
Additional: However, I believe you would need to have an internet connection and Microsoft account, as the computers keys will be digitally stored on their servers.
Thank you very much for the answer, and Yes - it is the key ending on 3V66T
The Windows 7 key is found on the Microsoft label on every Laptop I have, but most of them are OEM keys and I could not use that key successfully during upgrade to Windows 10 after the free upgrade period had expired.
So I bought new Windows licenses for the notebooks and they were activated with the new license keys after clean installation of Windows 10 Pro. Still only the 3V66T key shows up using "ShowKey".
If you purchase Windows 10 via Store, you will get a digital licence which uses the generic key you have (like using the Windows 7 key)
If you did use retail Windows 10 keys and clean installed subsequently electing not to enter a key, it will get the digital licence from the previous key install.
Thanks for your support @Superfly-Inc, but I find this difficult to understand. The reason I wish to use ShowKey is because I bought 4 new Win 10 Pro Licenses at once and installed 4 machines using them. However - I made one big mistake; I never noted which license I used with which machine.
What is the difference between a Retail key and a digital Store Key (as you call it) ?
I never elected not to enter a Key (as far as i recall)...
However, I clean installed Win 10 today on a PC which previously had Windows 7 Enterprise on it - and I had prepared myself with a new key (bought from the store), but curiously enough, the installation program never asked for the key. And after successful installation, Windows 10 Pro came up activated (I never did that), and when I ran ShowKey it came back with the 3V66T key again... ?? Beats me! It feels like I wasted my money.
oywino , here a little work around that may help, not to do with showkey though. If you created a Microsoft account for windows 10 and used the same account on all machines, login to the https://account.microsoft.com/account . On the main page you will see devices. That might help in identifying what licence went with what machine. I guess you might be like me and have a laptop, desktop , may be 4G on one 8G on the other, intel , AMD etc.
Again, thanks for answering. I did (and have done before) log on to my account at MS. All devices are listed, but there is no info anywhere as to the Key used. They are all Win 10 Pro (That's what I use).
I, unfortunately do not have first-hand experience with the store "keys". From what I gather they are 1-time activation keys to get digital licences - I assume therefore, they (as in Windows 7 and Windows 8 keys used with a clean Windows 10 install) are not retained after they get digital activation and only the generic key is thus available) but I could be wrong, others that have purchased store licences may be of more help.
PS: From the Store T's & C's
13. Codes for Software and Content Downloads. Certain software and content are delivered to you by making a download link available in your Microsoft account associated with your purchase. Subject to the paragraph below, we usually store the download link and related digital key for these purchases in your Microsoft account for 3 years following the purchase date, but do not promise to store them for any particular length of time. For subscription products that are delivered by providing a download link, different terms and storage rights may apply, which you will be able to review and agree to at the time of your subscription.
From that I gather it's not product key driven (other than the generic required for edition recognition during installation) They will need to gather the hardware ID, however, during this process, much like the Activation Transfer Wizard does, and add it to your MSA.
I'd be interested to hear others experiences with this.
- Windows 10 Activation works this way
--> If you have upgraded from Windows 7/8.1 to 10 --> Digital licence based on hardware ID, And the previous product key. (Previous version product key can be used to activate windows 10 but was feature was removed after Jan 2017).
--> If you have a OEM product key 5x5 code includes oem dm/ coa non spl/dwgrd , uses the product key + digital licence based on the hardware ID.
--> If you purchase a Windows 10 product key from retail store (Physical copy of the product key or DPK) 5x5 code, uses the product key + digital licence based on the hardware ID.
(In above cases you can actually remove the product key and do a clean install and still activate on the same hardware with out the key--> Digital linked to the hardware. )
--> If you buy it directly from the store, then the license is linked to your MSA (Microsoft account) and your hardware ID.
In all the cases the licenses can be linked to your MSA
There is no Product key in the store purchase as a digital license (Nothing as such as its stored on sever as a 5x5 or can be retrieved to a 5x5 code) .
The devices listed on your Microsoft account (https://account.microsoft.com/devices) are just the devices linked to your account (Logged in with your account regardless of activation, type of product key used (VL-MAK GVLK MSDN OEM Retail )Its the devices logged in with your account
Also people who purchase keys from online website for really cheap (OEM keys) Most don't activate after reinstall as the sellers sell it multiple people, so reactivating depends on you MSA.
Note some keys sold online are MSDN keys unless you upgrade from older version you cannot link it to your account.
Any questions or thoughts, or any mistakes please let me know!!
Ohoo... "oem dm/ coa non spl/dwgrd" - ?!?
@oywino OEM DM -->
/ Original equipment Manufacturer Digital marker
/ OEM Certificate of Authenticity
/ OEM COA NON System pre-locked
/ OEM Downgrade Rights.
First one is where only a Window 10 sticker on the computer (Product key is digitally injected in the computer (WMIC command will retrieve the key or the showkeyplus :p)
Second is where a Windows product key is printed on the a sticker and usually stuck to the tower , you 90% of the time will have to enter the product key to activate (System builder will do this most often like CyberPC UK or NCIX in US,, etc).
Third is the same , OEM SPL is disconnected except the in rare sever scenarios so its always (NON SPL)
Forth being when you order a computer with Windows 10 Home and you want to upgarde you add a Windows 10 pro during a purchase then you will get a machine with a Windows 10 Home and sticker of the Windows 10 Pro key, you will need to enter the key to upgrade.
Hope this clears everything :)
:) Thanks.