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October 4th, 2022 06:00
Identify the Windows License Key in BIOS?
Is it possible to determine the Windows License Key from the BIOS on a DELL Precision Laptop?
A number of these laptops were ordered with Windows 10/11 on however their configuration was erased and they were re-imaged with a Linux OS. A number of identical laptops were then purchased but with an Linux OS preinstalled. We need to convert one or two of these to Windows and I was wondering if it was possible to use the license from one of the laptops that came with Windows but was re imaged from Linux... I can see there are a number of ways of obtaining the license using the command prompt or PS (which I believe is pulled from the BIOS) if Windows is installed on the laptop but is there a way of capturing this information if Linux is installed?
If anyone knows if this is possible it would be much appreciated.
Tesla1856
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October 4th, 2022 22:00
1. Right. It's very easy.
2. Probably better to ask the Linux guys about this.
Problem is ... you are not allowed to move or re-use a Dell OEM Windows license (or key) to any other machine. You will have to use one of your company's Windows volume license keys or buy a retail key.
Chino de Oro
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October 4th, 2022 22:00
Unlike retail license, manufacturer like Dell uses OEM embedded license which can't be transfer to a different machine. If you want to check a Linux running machine to see if it has Windows embedded license or not, you might want to simulate Windows installation and if the process didn't ask for entering the license key but proceeding to selection of location (drive) to install, you can proceed with the installation as it found a license key in BIOS and will be activated when online. If the installation ask to enter the key, then cancel the installation process because system BIOS doesn't have one.
So, the answer is no, can't use BIOS embedded license on a different machine (that I know of). Since no machine model was mentioned, can't say definitively but there are other methods to use licenses from other machines, just not from BIOS.
IanCook77
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October 10th, 2022 01:00
Thanks to everyone for their feedback... For anyone who is interested one of Unix guys found this solution. If you open a terminal secession in Unix and use the command: sudo strings /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM is will display the stored licence. I'm not sure about the limitations/restrictions around reusing the license but this is a way of recovering it if the Windows OS has been wiped and a Linux OS loaded.