Product key

Hi, we have the windows disc and a pink piece of tape on the envelope that says scratch for product key but no amount of scratching is showing a product key. What are we doing wrong?
 

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
Did you purchase the PC from here with Windows? You generally don't need a key that said, it should be available on your order page if you do need it.

Not really sure about the pink tape myself, I've never seen it with any of my recent orders :( Could it be the thing you're meant to scratch is 'below' the pink tape?
 
Yes purchased with windows from pc specialist. Have updated windows but it says to personalise windows an activation key is needed. I’ve looked under pink bit and nothing
 

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
I guess it could still be on a sticker round the back of the case (maybe... I've not seen a sticker there on the last few machines I purchased...) - I'd also check your account on the main PCS website - if you go into 'my orders' and click on the PC you're setting up it should be there in the list.

EDIT: I just checked my online account and its definitely there. Obviously I've removed mine but its there in the order page.

Operating SystemWindows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00027]
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[Redacted]
 

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
I'm at a bit of a loss then unfortunately, my next port of call would be to contact PCS to ask them about it, appreciate that doesn't help you today though :(
 

Bhuna50

Author Level
Can I suggest you take a picture of that sticker or some sort of permanent way of recording the code you needed (not just on notepad on the PC like some do LOL), just in case you need it again and it has faded / rubbed off.
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Apparently not entirely? There are still product keys attached to your orders on your order page and the OP here seems to have had a sticker on the rear of the PC?
Something doesn't sound quite right here. The OP bought a build with Windows installed, so it should have activated (using the BIOS code) on first use. I don't understand why the OP was messing with the installation disk at all?

@bevleighton is this a brand new PC build, or is it one from some time ago? I see that you have Windows 10, which makes me think that it's an older build? Why did you feel the need to use the Windows installation disk? If you were planning to reinstall then the original disk is not the best option, you should instead download the latest build via the Media Creation Tool.

In addition, if this is an older system and has already been activated, then you can reinstall Windows as often as you like and you won't need the product key, it will automatically activate - as long as you have not replaced the CPU and/or the motherboard.

@bevleighton I would really like to understand what you were trying to do here, because product keys for OEM installs are typically no longer used.
 

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
I see that you have Windows 10, which makes me think that it's an older build?
You can still choose Win10 when you spec a PC, although I think on the face of it I'd agree that this should be less likely in general (W11 is the default on the configurator).

Doesn't change the rest of your enquiry, although the OP did seem to find the key they were looking for...
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Doesn't change the rest of your enquiry, although the OP did seem to find the key they were looking for...
Indeed and that's good news, but the circumstances are curious and, in order that we can understand why the product key was needed, and so that we can better help others, I really would like to know the details of what transpired here.
 
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