Windows 10 - Wiped Bios, Need Key

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop that came with Windows 10 Home installed. Unfortunately I had to reset Windows and long story short, there was a problem resetting Windows so I went into the Dell troubleshooting options and tried to factory reset using my internet but for some reason this wasn't available on my laptop which left me in limbo without a working PC. I then stupidly ended up completely wiping the Dell PC including the Bios. I've now managed to get a hold of Linux OS and installed that on my PC so I can use it, however, I want to reinstall windows. The only problem is if I've completely wiped my Bios, will that mean I've also completely wiped the Windows Home Key that came with the laptop? If this is the case, is there a way to recover the Windows Key? Or could I provide my laptops service number or serial number that Dell could use to find my Key in their database? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

JOcean · Answer

The following articles should help. Windows 10 keys are tied to your Microsoft Account. Remember when you first activated the system when you got it and it asked you to log into your MS account? You should be able to reinstall Windows 10 and have it auto activate.

https://www.techspot.com/guides/1760-find-your-windows-product-key/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/12440/windows-10-activation

Saltgrass · Answer

Could you explain a little more about how you wiped the Bios? A License Key would not be something you could erase by resetting your Bios. Changing components on the system could keep the install from activating.

If you are referring to a Win 10 License key, as mentioned you should be able to re-activate while online and it may take a little while. I don't believe you actually need to be on a Microsoft account, but this may have changed recently.

I am wondering, when you speak of keys, there are keys associated with the Secure Boot operation in the Bios which most folks do not need to touch. If you are referring to those keys, they should reset with a new install.

If the system came with Win 10 home, you may be able to download a Win 10 factory image from Dell. That would allow you to reset the system to factory condition.

jphughan · Answer

What do you mean you even wiped the BIOS? If you don’t simply mean that you reset the settings to default, then what exactly did you do to wipe the BIOS? I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.

In any case, typically on Windows 10 systems the key is either tied to your Microsoft account if you linked your Windows account to one previously, or else you have a digital license associated with your hardware “fingerprint” that was registered with Microsoft when your system was manufactured. Keys are no longer embedded into the BIOS for Windows 10 like they were for 8/8.1, to my knowledge. Either way, that means that as long as you install the correct edition (Home/Pro), it will reactivate either when you use that Microsoft account again or simply when you connect to the Internet and Microsoft’s activation servers recognize your hardware fingerprint and see that you have a digital license.

But no, Dell cannot look up product keys for systems and give them out. That was true even when systems were simply shipped with a product key printed on a sticker or piece of paper, without any embedding or digital registration.

Philip_Yip · Answer

If you mean the Dell Data Wipe it only wipes the Drives. The Product Key is embedded in the MSDM Tab of the ACPI Tables embedded in the UEFI BIOS. Windows 10 Installation Media will automatically input this product key during installation, selecting the correct Edition of Windows 10 for you to install. To make Windows 10 Installation Media using Ubuntu, follow my guide here:

https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/creating-a-windows-10-bootable-usb-for-a-uefi-bios-on-ubuntu/

Inspiron

Windows 10 - Wiped Bios, Need Key

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