This game of 'Where's Waldo' that Microsoft and the PC manufacturers have set up with the product key is just one more insidious way to get more money (milk) out of their customers (cattle). I had to reset my Windows and this blew away the product key. It's not in BIOS, it's not hidden anywhere on the disk.. Neither MS nor HP are willing to help me without my forking over more $$. I've been a devout Windows user for decades having changed camps when the Apple 2 was out, but I'm ready to go back. My hate for MS has finally turned to rage.