Retrieve activation key from UEFI?
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KFantomas
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KFantomas Posted messages 725 Status Membre -
KFantomas Posted messages 725 Status Membre -
Hello,
I have a laptop that originally came with Windows 8 in UEFI mode, but a month ago, I deleted Windows 8 to install Ubuntu, and I don't regret it, I'm very happy with Ubuntu. However, I need Windows now, and I would like to know if it's possible to retrieve the Windows 8 activation key from Ubuntu so that I can install it in VirtualBox.
PS: For those who don't know, new PCs provided with Windows 8 and UEFI do not have a sticker with the activation key; the key is embedded in the UEFI by the manufacturer, and when installing Windows 8 (by the user) in UEFI mode, the key is not requested because Windows 8 "finds" the activation key in the UEFI and inserts it automatically. I doubt that this works with VirtualBox, so the only way I’ve seen would be to install Windows on the hard drive, which is simply out of the question.
So, can I retrieve the Windows 8 activation key in order to install it in VirtualBox?
Thank you. :)
For those who might need it, my PC is an Acer Aspire V3-771G-32344G75Makk (with an i3).
I have a laptop that originally came with Windows 8 in UEFI mode, but a month ago, I deleted Windows 8 to install Ubuntu, and I don't regret it, I'm very happy with Ubuntu. However, I need Windows now, and I would like to know if it's possible to retrieve the Windows 8 activation key from Ubuntu so that I can install it in VirtualBox.
PS: For those who don't know, new PCs provided with Windows 8 and UEFI do not have a sticker with the activation key; the key is embedded in the UEFI by the manufacturer, and when installing Windows 8 (by the user) in UEFI mode, the key is not requested because Windows 8 "finds" the activation key in the UEFI and inserts it automatically. I doubt that this works with VirtualBox, so the only way I’ve seen would be to install Windows on the hard drive, which is simply out of the question.
So, can I retrieve the Windows 8 activation key in order to install it in VirtualBox?
Thank you. :)
For those who might need it, my PC is an Acer Aspire V3-771G-32344G75Makk (with an i3).
3 réponses
Hello,
The key is encrypted in the BIOS/UEFI and therefore, it cannot be retrieved. Moreover, it is linked to the manufacturer's motherboard and is only adaptable to the machine on which W8 was integrated, which cannot be transferred to VirtualBox.
So the answer is clearly: "no, we cannot."
Now, why didn't you just set up a dual-boot? W8 could have been content with 50 to 100 GB and you could have dedicated the rest to Ubuntu, and your problems would have been solved in one go.
The key is encrypted in the BIOS/UEFI and therefore, it cannot be retrieved. Moreover, it is linked to the manufacturer's motherboard and is only adaptable to the machine on which W8 was integrated, which cannot be transferred to VirtualBox.
So the answer is clearly: "no, we cannot."
Now, why didn't you just set up a dual-boot? W8 could have been content with 50 to 100 GB and you could have dedicated the rest to Ubuntu, and your problems would have been solved in one go.
'lut, unlike what ikewdu says, the key is not encrypted but rather embedded in the firmware, specifically the ACPI.
Install
--
from human import idiocy
del idiocy
Install
acpidumpvia the package manager and run
sudo acpidump -n MSDM, and there, magic, the key:
MSDM @ 0x00000000CA61DE18However, as he says, it is an OEM key and will only work on your PC, nowhere else, including VMs.
0000: 4D 53 44 4D 55 00 00 00 03 22 5F 41 53 55 53 5F
MSDMU...."_ASUS_
0010: 4E 6F 74 65 62 6F 6F 6B 00 00 00 00 41 53 55 53
Notebook....ASUS
0020: 01 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00
................
0030: 00 00 00 00 1D 00 00 00 58 58 58 58 58 2D 58 58
........XXXXX-XX
0040: 58 58 58 2D 58 58 58 58 58 2D 58 58 58 58 58 2D
XXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-
0050: 58 58 58 58 58
XXXXX
--
from human import idiocy
del idiocy
This key works both in UEFI and Legacy BIOS, but only on my PC, that's it
It deserves to be checked. A priori, one could say yes... In this case, the conversion to GPT would not be necessary.
Free up space for W8 (do it to the left, just in case). Make sure your Ubuntu is still working. Try installing W8 in legacy mode. We'll see if it gives you the message "key already used" or not.
Then we'll repair grub.
It deserves to be checked. A priori, one could say yes... In this case, the conversion to GPT would not be necessary.
Free up space for W8 (do it to the left, just in case). Make sure your Ubuntu is still working. Try installing W8 in legacy mode. We'll see if it gives you the message "key already used" or not.
Then we'll repair grub.
Hello,
Labeling other participants as ignorant and ignoring that the first precaution to take with a PC (especially on W8 - UEFI) is to create the recovery media or back up the system, I find you a bit cheeky...
Judex
--
No one is irreplaceable. But some are left unreplaceable.
Labeling other participants as ignorant and ignoring that the first precaution to take with a PC (especially on W8 - UEFI) is to create the recovery media or back up the system, I find you a bit cheeky...
Judex
--
No one is irreplaceable. But some are left unreplaceable.
OK, understood, it happens to all of us. And I want to make it clear that you are welcome on CCM. I acknowledge that the new UEFIs, even if they have their qualities, aren't always easy to manage, especially if you want to set up dual boot. Honestly, if I did it on my 32-bit PCs, I gave it up on my Acer tower running Windows 8.1 - 64-bit. I find it too risky on recent systems.
And then, let's suppose I could install Windows alongside Ubuntu, how would I find the installation media? Because downloading it is illegal.
It's also true for the installation under Virtualbox. At the same time, Microsoft offers the official download of W8.1.
And personally, I can't understand how you can "sacrifice" a prepaid license by destroying the recovery... In any case, I think I've answered your question.
I'm just pointing out that it's you who wants to install W8... I'm not forcing you to do anything... especially since I'm also on Linux.
I looked at the page, unfortunately, it requires a Windows PC, and the only Windows PC at my place belongs to my sister, who will be back in May, so I will have to wait. And I don't want to spend €120 for a W8.1 license. Plus, since Microsoft has removed the W7 ISOs from the MSDN server, I'm left with no choice but to buy a Windows license, and I would only download Windows via torrent as a last resort, even though I'm against piracy.