Hi guys. I have a bit of a problem regarding Windows 8. I got a laptop recently that came with windows 8 on it. At the time I didn't have the patience for windows 8 (It was my first laptop, and pretty much the first computer I solely owned), so I downgraded to windows 7. This worked out all fine and dandy except for accidentally removing the recovery partitions from the hard drive. Now that I am settled down, I would like to add windows 8 to my multiboot system. I am currently booting Ubuntu 12.04 and Windows 7.
The main problem I am having is the Product Key. There is no OEM sticker with the CD key on it, so I am unable to install Windows 8. From what I have read, they started putting the keys into the motherboards so Windows 8 will automatically find it, but the Windows 8 installation program asks me for a Product key anyways, so I am stuck.
I have attempted to use a few programs that claim to locate the key, but most only pick up my windows 7 key, as that is the operating system I am currently using. One program called Recover Keys was able to locate a Windows 8 MSDN key and product ID + user name (Noted as "Windows MSDN 8.0), but the program only shows the first little bit of the key because it's a demo. This means the key was not deleted when I downgraded, but I cannot access the full key because the program wants me to pay for it. The program says it searches more than just what is on the operating system, so I guess it checks the bios. I tried the program on my windows 7 desktop to see if it was bluffing with the Windows 8 stuff, and it was not. It only showed the windows 7 key.
Here is my request. Is there a way to locate this key without paying for a program like recover keys? If not, is there a way to make it so the windows 8 installation program will locate my key?
My computer brand is Lenovo btw.
The main problem I am having is the Product Key. There is no OEM sticker with the CD key on it, so I am unable to install Windows 8. From what I have read, they started putting the keys into the motherboards so Windows 8 will automatically find it, but the Windows 8 installation program asks me for a Product key anyways, so I am stuck.
I have attempted to use a few programs that claim to locate the key, but most only pick up my windows 7 key, as that is the operating system I am currently using. One program called Recover Keys was able to locate a Windows 8 MSDN key and product ID + user name (Noted as "Windows MSDN 8.0), but the program only shows the first little bit of the key because it's a demo. This means the key was not deleted when I downgraded, but I cannot access the full key because the program wants me to pay for it. The program says it searches more than just what is on the operating system, so I guess it checks the bios. I tried the program on my windows 7 desktop to see if it was bluffing with the Windows 8 stuff, and it was not. It only showed the windows 7 key.
Here is my request. Is there a way to locate this key without paying for a program like recover keys? If not, is there a way to make it so the windows 8 installation program will locate my key?
My computer brand is Lenovo btw.