[sf-lug] seeking advice re running Windows (on a Linux OS)

[Ian Sidle]

Short Version: If it's windows 10, then you should link it to your microsoft account.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-link-your-windows-10-product-key-microsoft-account

Then when you install Windows10 in a VM, you sign-in with that account and it will become legally license.
For that matter, this would also work if you need to install Windows 10 on an entirely different computer.

Saving *just* the product key hasn't been helpful since Windows ME (unless you have retail, in which case you already have a card/sticker thing with the number) and it's not worth the trouble of finding the value. 

Long Version: 
Regarding SLIC/Manufacturer branded installations (not to be confused with "OEM" editions, even though these are often called OEM)

With XP, you need a special installation media, a SLICv1 memory segment in the BIOS and a unique Product Key that matches that SLIC firmware value.

With Vista/7/8, you could use any installation media, a SLICv2 firmware/certificate segment in BIOS and a matching SLICv2 certificate file. A generic SLP "Product" key is used to identify the edition and triggers SLIC activation, which is done offline via comparing the certificates. 

Using the OEM (e.g. Dell) branding installation media, the certificate file and Key are stamped onto the DVD (same key & certificate used for all dell laptops running Win7Pro).

With  Vanilla installation media, you enter that generic SLP "product" key  (at one point Microsoft had a site listing all of them)  after linking the appropriate certificate files. 

Technically you could retrieve a "Product Key" value, but that isn't very helpful since that is public info and you still need the certificate file 

Windows 10 doesn't have a  "Product Key" in a conventional sense anymore.
-If you have an activation on your Microsoft account, your done then it will just use that. 
-If it's an "OEM" installation, then there is no key to enter - it will automatically activate, even with vanilla (although sometimes you have to leave it blank during install and then it will activate upon booting)
-Even then, it will legally run for 6 months in "trial mode" and will run forever after that with minimal inconvenience in unlicensed mode (still get security updates,etc).  

Ugh, I've worked on a lot of personal windows laptops in my day...

-Ian