submitted 11 months ago by LoganNineFingers@lemmy.ca to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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I bought a computer off Kijiji that was from someone who builds them for cheap. I bought it for a plex server.

I recently did a hard drive check, and the hd is getting spotty.

I did a check for windows license and it says it's "retail" with a partial key. I was thinking of buying a new SSD to put in but how do I get a windows key now?

I'm somewhat computer minded but this one I've never dealt with. (I also have no interest in installing Linux right now)

Thanks!

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[-] cm0002@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

If you can boot and don't already have it activated via a MS account like others have said, you can use some powershell scripts to obtain the key: https://cloudinfra.net/retrieve-windows-os-license-details-using-powershell/

Also assuming this computer doesn't have an OEM motherboard which will likely have a BIOS/UEFI key and automatically reactivated windows during install