Possible to obtain Windows 7 product key from Lenovo for downgrade from Windows 8.1?

Hi all. I have searched all over these forums and haven't found the answer to my question, so I figured I'd just ask it.
I purchased an Ideapad Y580 with Windows 8 pre-installed. Hated it from the get go. Upgraded to Windows 8.1, and still don't like. But, now, I am having a ton of bug-y issues. Although I've managed to fix most, they have become increasingly annoying. The latest is that upon upgrading to Windows 8.1, my USB ports stopped working...except they sometimes work, some of the time, but never all of the time. Drivers are up to date, and every diagnostic test I have run passes. Surfing the net, it sounds like this is a common issue with windows 8.1.
I was speaking with my firm's IT company and was told that they have had the exact same issues with numerous clients. (As an aside, they universally place lenovo products in their client's hands). It has gotten so bad that they do not provide windows 8/8.1 on any of the machines they prepare for their clients.
Last week, I was speaking to the IT company's local rep who was performing some server maintenance for us, and he indicated that if you purchased a laptop pre-installed with windows 8 and didn't like it, you could obtain a windows 7 product key from the manufacturer and downgrade to windows 7. Is that accurate? if so, how do I make that happen?

Too be honest I suggest you do not downgrade unless you have to use software in your company that does not work on Windows 7.
Get started reading Windows 8 guides, and you will notice Windows 8 is a lot better after you have read all the guides:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=windows+8+get+started+guide
Jonas
Microsoft MVP: Windows Consumer Expert
Yoga Tablet 2 10 || ThinkPad X1 Carbon (20A7007MPH) || ThinkPad Helix (3698-6EU) || IdeaCentre B540
Twitter: @jonashendrickx

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WINDOWS PRODUCT KEY - for reinstalling WINDOWS

What if your computer comes with NO Windows Product Key sticker -- computer came new with Windows 7 preinstalled but, included Windows 8 installation discs - never needed a key & should've (in hindsight) made a boot repair disc - but, recently computer would NOT boot up - tried to repair it but, no luck -- SO, now if I want to reinstall Windows 7 will have to use an OEM but, need a Product Key for HP computers --- any time else you install Windows you are REQUIRED to enter your own Product Key # which is about 25 digits including letters, numbers & dashes ---------- I do have Windows 10 on another drive but, love Windows 7 -- Windows 10 is far better than 8 BUT, not as good as 7 I have looked all over my case for any WINDOWS sticker & inside too -- I have heard that laptops are usually under the battery but, for DESKTOPS will be stuck somewhere on the case & this does NOT have one -------------- it is just STUPID for HP to ship computers without a PRODUCT KEY as every other manufacturer does for this reason..THANKS

Hi, Goodmorning! Uhm as far as I know Operating System of these unit didnt came with product keys, because operating system of this unit is from the manufacturer, And it was never been installed using standalone discs by hp. You might need to order recovery discs online on its support website. as far as I know. Hope you dont mind.

Miix2 8 Windows Product Key not accepted

Hello,
I got a brand new Miix2 8 which asks me to activate Windows.
I got a sticker with the Windows product key inside the product box. However Microsft tells me that there is something wrong with it. In the UEFI I can find the entry for the windows key. There it says "Std" only.
Where can I get a working product key. My device should be activated by the factory already?
Thanks and Best Regards
Marco

That raises flags. I would contact Lenovo to have the machine re-imaged.
Also, can you clarify when you said you received a product key in the box? Again, it seems very unusual. With other series, the key is either affixed to the unit, or embedded into the BIOS.
Did you purchase this unit through a retailer, or direct from Lenovo?
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Tap that kudos button if I helped ^^
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Wrong Windows product key during SP2 installation

Hi all, i have reinstalled the windows XP.
When i try to update the SP2 for the system, mircrosoft told me i am not using a right product key.
Then i follow the instructoin to download a KeyUpdate Tool and i put in the product key which under my notebook, it saids it is not the correct key for the windows that i am using.
At the compare product key site, it shows:
OS Version: Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
Model: Satellite M60
Product Key: *****-*****-*****-*****-P6R2Y
It shows correctly the manufacture and the model.
However, i am using a Windows Xp Home Edition and the key from that CD is end with *****-*****-*****-*****-Q6JWG.
And the product key from my notebook is end up with *****-*****-*****-*****-GCFKM.
Then I download the Windows Product Key Update Tool and put in both the product key from the CD and notebook.
Both of them dosen't work. I want to know how can I update the Service Pack for my windows. Can anyone help? Thx!
What can i do for that? Thx!!!!!

Hi
I have read some threads about similar problems with the OS key and the key changing has always helped
Sometimes Microsoft rates the image keys as incorrect or invalid. Why? I don't know... it's Microsoft you know ;)
Fact is that the key on the CD cover can be used only to activate the installed Microsoft Works or OneNote software on the notebook. The key is not responsible for the Windows OS!
The key which could be used with Win OS is placed at the bottom of the unit.
Well, according to your message you used this key and now Im a little bit confused
I think you should make a call to the Toshiba authorized service provider in your country for clearing this problem

Prompted for Windows product key after FBReseal.exe

Greetings,
With the EOL of Windows XP fast approaching, we are planning to deploy POSReady 2009 to several cash registers. My plan is to install the POSReady 2009 Ghost image provided by our vender/OEM, make our site specific modifications, then run fbreseal
and create a new image for deployment. My problem is that after I run fbreseal (and then simply reboot the register as a test) the setup wizard asks me for a Windows product key (which I don't have and can't get because OEMs can not give it to customers).
I thought that the entire purpose of fbreseal was for cases like this when you do not have a Windows product key? What am I missing? Is there a hidden switch I should be using with FBReseal?
Thanks,
Dasani

I had found/read the document... I guess the fourth paragraph had led me to believe that FBReseal would not ask for the product key:
"Sysprep is useful in scenarios when you have access to your POSReady product key, and also provides additional customizing functionality over FBReseal. FBReseal does not require a product key, but it does not have as many features as Sysprep, and it can
only be run one time. If you do not have access to your POSReady product key, you must use FBReseal."
When I apply the Ghost image from the vender and start the register I get the following prompts:
- Welcome Screen
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When I FBReseal it and then restart, I get the exact same prompts EXCEPT after I define my name and organization it asks for the Windows product key.
I suspect the vender did not prepare our Ghost image properly, it appears that they may have ran FBReseal. Based on the POSReady 2009 deployment guide, this should not be done:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd936220(v=winembedded.0).aspx
"The product ID (PID) that is required to license the OS is only available to an OEM. End users receive a fully installed OS that can be customized. It is important to understand the state of the POSReady OS that you receive from your OEM. The original installation
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Anyway, since the vender I'm working with is slow.... it appears I may have no choice but use their Ghost image and then apply all of our customizations to each and every register.
Thanks,
Dasani

What is my originial windows product key that shipped with my laptop

I want to upgrade my laptop to Windows 10. Originally it had shpped with windows 7, but I have since upgraded to windows 8. I want to retrieve my original Windows 7 Product Key to upgrade to Windows 10. Can sony send me this information?

ryanschaefer23,
"I want to upgrade my laptop to Windows 10. Originally it had shpped with windows 7, but I have since upgraded to windows 8. I want to retrieve my original Windows 7 Product Key to upgrade to Windows 10. Can sony send me this information?"
[Peter] : The product key licence sticker should be located on the bottom of your VAIO PC. User is not required to input their Product key in order to upgrade to Windows 10
[Peter] : In your specific situation, your original OS was Windows 7 then you upgraded to Windows 8. You will be required to install / Update to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store. Microsoft server will then proceed to check your key programatically and identify that this PC can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free therefore the user does not have to input any type of previous product key

Where can i find my windows product key ? am I not allowed to know this these days ?

Where can i find my windows product key ? am I not allowed to know this these days ?

If you bought a notebook with Windows 8, there are no product key stickers anymore.
The key is now digitally encoded in the BIOS.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-8-to-have-oem-activation-3-0/
I don't have a notebook that came with windows 8, so I don't know if you can see it in the BIOS or not but that would the place to look.
Paul

I Need the Windows Product Key for my Laptop

I had to use my recovery disks and Microsoft was not able to validate the software online. When I called Microsoft support, I was told I needed the Product Key. When I looked under the bottom of my laptop, one of the numbers/letters is worn and hard to read. I was told to contact HP. When I attempted to do this on the website, I got a message that HP no longer services this laptop. I don't need service. I just need information. All of the HP product information was nicely sealed and secured. I don't understand why the same was not done for the Windows product key. Thanks.

Check everything to make sure all is working OK. I do not think it is necessary to reload the OS if everything is working. There are other ways to get it activated.
{---------- Please click the "Thumbs Up" to say thanks for helping.
Please click "Accept As Solution" if my help has solved your problem. ----------}
This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I do not work for HP.

How do I get my OEM windows product key that came with my laptop when I bought it? Lost info/discs

I needed to clean install my laptop with Win8.1 before I upgraded to Win10, i was told that the BIOS held the key so I wouldnt need it and I dont have the OEM windows product key sticker that came with it when I bought it and I cant activate!!? Help

Hi
what if my recovery partition is lost too? I hace an HP15 Notebook with windowa 8.1 and a "friend" deleted the recovery partition. Now I dont know what to do to reformat and recover my laptop to its original condition. Saddly i dont have the recovery dvds either.
Thanks,
Adolfo

T440s Windows product key sticker

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Product Key is invalid for Microsoft 2011

Hi,
I recently purchased Microsoft 2011 (university) and installed it, however it asked me for my product key to start up the program and it keeps coming up invalid?
Any reason why this would be happening if I just purchased it?

Jaydyn wrote:
Hi, I'm having this issue ever since I restored my computer using the HP restore "thingy".
I'm using a HP Pavillon dv9700 and my issue is that my "WIndows Product Key is invalid"
and every couple of days it will say
"You must buy a windows product key" and will change my background to black.
Everytime I restore the computer it will go back to normal but then it will happen again.
Can anyone help me? Here is a screenshot of my PC info (Blurred some stuff out because it's private)
http://i57.tinypic.com/2n8u7mu.jpg
There should be sticker on the bottom side called COA that is your Product Key. If that has worn away or missing there not much anyone here can help you with. You best hope is to contact Microsoft and ask them for help on your Product Key.
I am a Volunteer to help others on here-not a HP employee.
Replies aren't online 24/7 because of Time Zone differences.
Remember in this Day and Age of Computing the Internet is Knowledge at your fingertips if you choose understand it. -2015-

Can anyone help me with obtaining a product key for windows 8???? uummmmmm...I lost mine or something,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

downloaded windows 8 pro pack ISO supposedly with working product key .....surprisingly it doesn't work... can anyone help me with related issues or advice????

Cool Guy Chris,
According to the
Windows 8.1 Activation Errors webpage, if your current activation key doesn’t work, you’ll need to purchase a new one.
In order to get a new activation key, you’ll need to contact a
Microsoft Customer Support Representative.
I hope this helps!
Mike
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro

Using Windows product key

QuestionCan I use the product key on the bottom of my computer to activate Windows?
AnswerAcer’s OEM version of Windows does not require a product key to activate. This means if you are using recovery disks you created on your system, or disks you ordered from Acer, Windows will automatically activate without the need for a product key. The product key on the bottom of the notebook is an OEM product key. This product key does not work for activating retail versions of the operating system.
If you did not make or are no longer able to obtain recovery media, you would need to purchase an operating system of your choice for installation.
For instructions installing a non-OEM operating system, please review this article:
Installing a different Operating System

Mistä voin tilata asennus USB tai tiedoston?

I have WinXP product key. Can I get the Windows CD/iso to install on X31?

Dear all,
I've bought a used X31 with no OS installed, however it has the Windows sticker on the back with product key on it. Is there any way to obtain the distribution that will accept this product key. I tried one windows CD, but it does not accept this product key and does not let me to install.
I don't even imagine any keywords to google this topic -- any info is welcomed. Is that a question I can puzzle Microsoft support or IBM\Lenovo.
Any comments are very much appriciated. I really want to have a legal Windows installed on my X31.

You need a XP Pro OEM install cd. Retail will not work. It is hard to tell the difference. You will know when it accepts the key number you have.
T60 2623-D7U, 3 GB Ram. Dual boot XP and Linux Mint.
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FYI: I am not employed by Lenovo

How to find the product key on a preinstalled version of Windows 8?

This is a similar qustion:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-8-and-8-1-Knowledge-Base/How-to-find-the-product-key-on-a-prein...
But its not actually explaining which part of the BIOS menu contains the windows key.
I see a UUID number -- but that doesmt match the windows 8 5x5 code format. SO!
where can I locate the windows 8 key in the BIOS?

On recent ThinkPad, the Product ID Key sticker has been moved from the bottom of the unit to behind the battery.
You need to contact Lenovo technical support directly to ask about recovery media.

Possible to obtain Windows 7 product key from Lenovo for downgrade from Windows 8.1?

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