2021-12-15 I assumed refurbs with XP license would not authenticate but I just did one. Trying a second one now. Second one didn't work but picked up the autopico volume license.
slmgr /xpr
That is the short version. Don't bother waiting for Windows Update to offer it.
I bought a refurbished Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 3 and it had a registered version of 8.1 Pro.
I normally do a clean install of Win 10 but wanted the upgrade experience.
Every site said update your current version and wait for Windows to offer upgrade.
Forget it . . .
Creation Tool will offer upgrade option in place. It worked fine.
You should grab the current Windows key just in case.
Use Nirsoft Keyfinder or look for a sticker on the PC.
If all else fails and you don't want to run your own KMS hack . . .
. . . buy a cheap key here. Many Youtubers offer further discount codes.
***And other ways to read the Original Windows key from BIOS
RWEverything (click ACPI icon from the top toolbar, and MSDM table in ACPI table)
or
Open a Command Prompt window and run the following command:
(wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey)
or
FirmwareTablesView (read MSDM)
Need an earlier version of Windows 10? Use Rufus. It may take a little fiddling but the "Download" button is what you want.
I bought a refurbished Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 3 and it had a registered version of 8.1 Pro.
I normally do a clean install of Win 10 but wanted the upgrade experience.
Every site said update your current version and wait for Windows to offer upgrade.
Forget it . . .
Creation Tool will offer upgrade option in place. It worked fine.
You should grab the current Windows key just in case.
Use Nirsoft Keyfinder or look for a sticker on the PC.
If all else fails and you don't want to run your own KMS hack . . .
. . . buy a cheap key here. Many Youtubers offer further discount codes.
***And other ways to read the Original Windows key from BIOS
RWEverything (click ACPI icon from the top toolbar, and MSDM table in ACPI table)
or
Open a Command Prompt window and run the following command:
(wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey)
or
FirmwareTablesView (read MSDM)
Need an earlier version of Windows 10? Use Rufus. It may take a little fiddling but the "Download" button is what you want.
