REGISTERED REFURBISHER: How to find COA for Win8/8.1/10 machines

JohnDize

JohnDize

New Member
Reaction score
1
Location
Crisfield, MD
I can not figure out how to get the COA that is embedded in the bios, I am not talking product key but the actual COA that is embedded that is required to register a refurb key to a machine. I have been told there is a way but not told how. Microsoft isnt helpful.
 
I think you are confusing terms. A COA is a sticker. The product key is what is printed on the COA sticker on Windows 7 and embedded into the bios with Windows 8. There is a hologram sticker on Windows 8 and 10 machines that is the official proof of purchase.
 
Why would you need a refurb key for Windows 8 or 10? It is perfectly legal to reinstall and resell the OS it shipped with. Windows 10 can still be a free upgrade for Windows 8 for the next few days. And why would you refurb a system that shipped with 10? Is that not NEW????
 
So I am a little late in my reply as it didnt notify me someone responded... It is NOT legal to install windows on a pre-owned or refurbished machine with anything other than a Microsoft Refurbished COA which comes with a refurbished product key for the end user. Using the OEM media is NOT a legal method per microsoft. However to create a product key using a refurbisher COA, you need the OEM COA serial number. There are not stickers present and microsoft says this means you can't refurbish a Windows 8/8.1/10 PC legally... This is why I came here to find out what refurbishers who follow the rules have found.

Using a OEM disc is not legal. If you dont believe me, ask Microsoft.

EDIT: The August Guidelines tell you that you cant use OEM Reinstallation media however the FAQ still says you can. So we will go with "you can" use oem reinstallation media.
 
Last edited:
I also am NOT confusing the term COA. Since 8 COA stickers have disappeared but there still has to be a COA serial associated with the machine.
 
JohnDize said:
I also am NOT confusing the term COA. Since 8 COA stickers have disappeared but there still has to be a COA serial associated with the machine.
Click to expand...

Actually it's the "product key" which is important here.

On pre-Win8 machines, the product key was printed on a Certificate Of Authenticity (COA), which is simply a piece of paper that had the product key printed on it. With desktops/towers, the COA paper was affixed to the side of the case; with laptops, it was affixed either on the underside of the case or within the battery enclosure.

Starting with Win8 PCs, the product key was imbedded in the BIOS and often read by PC Techs using RWEverthing (http://rweverything.com/) or lately with ProduKey from NirSoft (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html). Since the product key is in the BIOS, there's no need to print a paper COA.

Bottom line, it's not the COA paper that matters, it's the product key itself.
 
JohnDize said:
So I am a little late in my reply as it didnt notify me someone responded... It is NOT legal to install windows on a pre-owned or refurbished machine with anything other than a Microsoft Refurbished COA which comes with a refurbished product key for the end user. Using the OEM media is NOT a legal method per microsoft. However to create a product key using a refurbisher COA, you need the OEM COA serial number. There are not stickers present and microsoft says this means you can't refurbish a Windows 8/8.1/10 PC legally... This is why I came here to find out what refurbishers who follow the rules have found.

Using a OEM disc is not legal. If you dont believe me, ask Microsoft.
Click to expand...

You could not be more wrong. If the OEM media or hard disk partition is present a refurbisher licence IS NOT REQUIRED to re-install the original OS.

https://www.microsoft.com/refurbishedpcs/RRPFAQ.aspx Windows 8\10 is not yet available on the refurbisher program.

I find reading Microsoft's published information helpful in these situations.
 
Are you certain?

20160814_080340_zpsctdflcve.jpg
 
Wow. They're not even listed in my refurbisher portal. Maybe not available over here yet?

EDIT: How long have you guys had access to them?
 
The computer with the sticker attached to it, over the Windows 7 HE sticker. I had to iron out some Lenovo quirks, but it runs very well.
 
glricht said:
Starting with Win8 PCs, the product key was embedded in the BIOS and often read by PC Techs using RWEverthing (http://rweverything.com/) or lately with ProduKey from NirSoft (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html). Since the product key is in the BIOS, there's no need to print a paper COA.
Click to expand...
This RWEverything program, is it a bootable disc or USB stick? I've used ProduKey but that retrieves the key that is on the hard drive, doesn't look at the Bios (as far as I know). What if the hard drive is bad to the extent that you can't access it and a new hard drive has to be installed?

I've gone to the RWEverything website and there appears to be no instructions on how to use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RocklandCompRepair
MS Cancelling Registered Refurbisher Program?
Replies
10
Views
2K
Sky-Knight
Sky-Knight
britechguy
MS-Office (not 365) Licensing & linkage to MS-Account Questions
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
nlinecomputers
nlinecomputers
Porthos
Microsoft 365 apps say farewell to Internet Explorer 11 and Windows 10 sunsets Microsoft Edge Legacy
Replies
5
Views
4K
HankArnold
HankArnold
S
Refurb question... Registered Refurbisher Program
Replies
19
Views
4K
Markverhyden
Markverhyden
Appletax
[SOLVED] Windows 10 Not Activating
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
Your PCMD
Your PCMD
Back
Top