Where do I find the product key for windows 8 preinstalled on new acer V3 571.

Actually, this is the exact question I have. And it does seem to require a product key. I was having trouble with the diagnostic host service and so it seemed like the only option was to reset the computer (similar acer laptop) and since doing the reset I cannot activate windows. There is an unknown error and when I called microsoft for support they said I would need to find the product key, which no longer comes printed on a sticker on the bottom of the computer. Acer Techs - Help??

Thanks for responding Tommy, but I'm still stuck. 

 

I did a factory reset on the computer, but windows will still not activate. I can still use my computer for the internet, etc,, but ever time I turn it on it takes me to PC Settings and says window needs to be activated. When I click on the activate button, it doesn't work and says "Error code unknown".  It isn't able to install critical updates or Microsoft Office, and I'm sure this is all connected. 

 

I called Microsoft for help and they said they could walk me through activation if I had a product code - which I don't because it is built into the BIOS.

 

What can I do? I have all my receipts, barcodes from the box etc. Will Acer be able to help me? If not, i'm going to have to recycle the computer and buy a new one. And I have to tell you, it won't be replaced with another acer after this experience. 

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Acer-Tommy wrote:

The product key is hidden in the BIOS and is not retrievable. 

Use the Recovery articles above to recover the system to the factory load.

 

Systems that we ship with Windows 8 will not ask you for the product key with the factory load.

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Above quoted by you in a separate post.

Acer-Tommy, my nearly new Acer Aspire is continually asking me for the product key!

What is the Product Key that I have extracted from the BIOS by downloading a particular site, & whose last set of digits coincides with the figures shown on the PC Settings-Activation window. However, this product key will not activate but is blocked by the activation server? I have read on this site that a recovery disk did not work. Why do I need to activate if everything else is working ok?

 

[edited to use quote, not copy paste.  You can just link to the thread also.]

@ Tommy,

What do you mean by what model of Acer? Seems like none of your laptops come with windows product key. I have v3-551G-x419 and prior I had another V3, both didn't come with product key.

 

Seems like most users are needing product key for updating to 8 or 8.1 mine is a different case. I have 8.1 and it is working just fine but I need to repair the windows because when I change bios mode to Legacy Bios instead of EUFI, it crashes. How ever with UEFI bios mode windows 8.1 loads just fine.

 

After people having to deal with product key after Refresh or Setting to factory default, now I am even more hesitant to opt for Refresh of Windows or Setting back to factory default.

 

What does Acer have to say? Where is our product key! If we paid for windows and everytime we have problem with windows, Microsoft ask for the 'Receipt', hey you are the guy we paid our money to.

This is far from an Acer specific issue, nor is a common problem. It happens time to time on unit's regardless of the Windows version, brand or model. And Tommy is right, Windows loads the product key from the system and is not required by any Microsoft OEM installation software or update software. Microsoft uses hardware ID based key systems to tie your copy of Windows to a particular unit and registers these id's on their systems as you connect to the internet. If you're having issues you are most certainly looking at an issue on Microsofts end, and not Acers. This is obvious considering the Windows OS (owned by Microsoft) is asking you for a validation number (so that Microsoft may validate your copy of Windows). Acer has no affiliation with the product key, nor do they keep them on file. These are regulated exclusively by Microsoft, meaning that Padgett is correct in assuming that the key number is not provided at Microsoft's request.

 

As a matter of fact, the only reason that key codes were originally included is due to the terms of the licensing agreement set by Microsoft, saying that the code needed to be affixed to the unit for the copy to be valid, despite the fact that the system has no way of knowing if the sticker is attached or not. If Microsoft doesn't want the code affixed to the unit and they don't give you any real way of pulling the code from the system it would stand to reason that they also wouldn't want manufacturers passing the codes around. As Padgett mentioned, there are ways to pull a copy of your code from the registry. A quick google search will show you a number of tools that can do this.