Odd return from ShowkeyPlus

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

I have an older Ivy Bridge running Windows11 Pro 22H2 after following some script and registry hacks I found on the net. Now I started off installing a retail copy of Windows 10 Pro which I then upgraded (with hacks) to Windows 11 Pro 21H2. I went on to run a Github script to install the 22H2 version. Now when I run Showkey Plus I get a message that the OS is activated through a generic key but there is no mention of the original installation key I installed the Windows 10 Pro version I did the first install with. Settings are showing the OS is activated though with this generic key and I am getting updates with no issue. My curiosity is why is the original key not being picked up by the Showkey software.

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
I have an older Ivy Bridge running Windows11 Pro 22H2 after following some script and registry hacks I found on the net. Now I started off installing a retail copy of Windows 10 Pro which I then upgraded (with hacks) to Windows 11 Pro 21H2. I went on to run a Github script to install the 22H2 version. Now when I run Showkey Plus I get a message that the OS is activated through a generic key but there is no mention of the original installation key I installed the Windows 10 Pro version I did the first install with. Settings are showing the OS is activated though with this generic key and I am getting updates with no issue. My curiosity is why is the original key not being picked up by the Showkey software.

I haven't run ShowKey in a while... but there is a way to check the original key.
It's just not obvious. Play around with it a bit.

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Thanks Ghot mate I shall do what I can it isn't a real concern because the OS is running perfectly well.

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
Thanks Ghot mate I shall do what I can it isn't a real concern because the OS is running perfectly well.

I seem to remember there was a button near the middle of the show key windows, that said Check... something.
And that led to the original key.

Ok... it's: Check Product Key near the top. Then type in the original key and it will tell you how many activations you have left.

I just checked in AIDA64. It can't even pull up the original key anymore.
Win10/11 improvements. <------ sarcasm

There are other programs to find product keys. Just make sure to scan them at virustotal.com

On a laptop you may be able to pull the key from the BIOS or somewhere similar.
I don't remember the command though.

Might want to try the registry method, here...

How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key Using the Command Prompt

Need to find your Windows 10 product key?

www.howtogeek.com

I just tried the command prompt method. That didn't seem to work.

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Ok mate I'll try that again and see what I get.

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Hmm I checked Showkey once more but is still showing that the key is a default one and needs a digital licence for activation. I tried all the other buttons on the software and checked the original key by typing it into look for key but it came back as invalid yet I installed 10 Pro with the key I have on my retail product packaging. I also tried wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey but it did not return anything.
I suppose I shall have to just leave as is because Settings is showing that the OS is activated.

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

Here... this works... I just created this .vbs file from the How-To-Geek directions (2nd option).
Just unzip and double click the file to run. That's it.
It returns the original key, not the digital license key.

Well... I take that back. It returns a key that isn't the digital license key, but isn't my original Win 7 key either.
Maybe the formula they used is wrong?
I used my Win 7 Home Premium key when I originally installed Windows 10 in May 2020.
I still have the official MS Win 7 DVD with the key on the case.

The key returned by the .vbs file turns out to be an invalid key, when checked with ShowKeyPlus.
The key on the plastic Win 7 DVD case, shows as valid, when checked with ShowKeyPlus.

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Ok mate I downloaded it and got the original key though it doesn't look familiar I suppose it must be the original Windows 10 one so thanks for doig that for me much appreciated

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
Ok mate I downloaded it and got the original key though it doesn't look familiar I suppose it must be the original Windows 10 one so thanks for doig that for me much appreciated

I just tried Nirsoft Produkey (so you don't have to). It only returns the digital license key.

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Thats ok mate at least we gave it a shot eh? Anyway, if push comes to shove, I can always get a cheap key from here Buy MS Windows 11 Pro OEM CD-KEY GLOBAL-Lifetime at cdkeysales.com all legit as a well known YouTuber called Britech gets sponsored by them and he gives one his code for a discount when you buy from that site - BR09

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

I just tried 2-3 other product key finders. None of them work, and one of them required a restore from a backup. LOL
Thank gawd for Macrium Reflect.

Note: ALL Windows 10 and Windows 11 installs are activated with a generic key. That's how MS does it now.
The generic key is called a "digital license".
Even if you "buy" a Win10/11 key... it will still be activated with a generic digital license.

Here, have a look see....

Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions Tutorial

This tutorial will provide you with a list of RTM (retail) and KMS generic keys (default keys) for all editions of Windows 11. Generic keys (aka: "default keys") for Windows 11 from Microsoft will allow you to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 11 edition you want, but will not activate...

www.elevenforum.com

Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

support.microsoft.com

ICIT2LOL · Oct 26, 2022

Thanks mate I have seen the first link before and the second link I think just adds more confusion than anything. Seems to me to be that Microsoft have so many checks and ways of activating Windows - just leaves me no more aware of what is what now.

Ghot · Oct 26, 2022

ICIT2LOL said:
Thanks mate I have seen the first link before and the second link I think just adds more confusion than anything. Seems to me to be that Microsoft have so many checks and ways of activating Windows - just leaves me no more aware of what is what now.

Yep. It's all them thar improvements, they've been doin'. LOL

Ah... I see @NavyLCDR He has a much better explanation than I do.