Where is the Windows 8 Consumer Preview product key?

Are you planning to test the Windows 8 Consumer Preview? Make sure you pick up a product key. Unlike Windows 7, you can’t skip this box and fill in a key later.

If you use the web installer, a key is generated and filled in automatically for you. If you download an ISO disk image and create your own installation media, on the other hand, you’ll need to type in a 25-character key.

Where do you get a Windows 8 Consumer Preview product key?

Microsoft has published two keys that anyone can use.

The ISO download page includes this public key:

DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview FAQ has a different key:

NF32V-Q9P3W-7DR7Y-JGWRW-JFCK8

If you’re eager to get started, go to this page: Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

I’ve got lots and lots of information to help you with your evaluation here:

Getting started with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview (ZDNet)

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11 Thoughts on “Where is the Windows 8 Consumer Preview product key?”

  1. Digant on March 7, 2012 at 11:03 pm said:

    Both keys are not working.
    pls help

  2. Ed Bott on March 8, 2012 at 5:04 am said:

    I’m sorry, Digant, I can’t help. You should post a report at Microsoft’s support forums.

  3. Mike F on March 9, 2012 at 10:44 am said:

    I had a question for you Ed. When installing Win 8 CP there is a picture of a betta fish. The betta fish looks like a paper origami… could the be a subtle reference to the old UMPC code name origami? It seems to make sense being that Windows 8 will hopefully fulfill the original goals of origami.

  4. Ed Bott on March 9, 2012 at 7:38 pm said:

    Mike, nice catch! I hadn’t thought of the origami angle but I think you are right. FWIW I see color blocks a la Metro in that fish.

  5. saumil shah on March 12, 2012 at 8:50 am said:

    thank u bro this key has worked

  6. Vikas on March 13, 2012 at 10:38 am said:

    Thanks a lot for the key…

  7. Brian on March 15, 2012 at 6:49 pm said:

    Tried nf32v key tonight with win 8 consumer installs no prob

    Thanks for your help Ed

  8. izogfif on March 18, 2012 at 9:05 am said:

    DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J worked with Windows8-ConsumerPreview-32bit-English.iso-image.

  9. Jack on March 21, 2012 at 5:27 am said:

    Thank you so so much. First Key worked like magic!!!

  10. SwinginNinja on March 24, 2012 at 6:09 pm said:

    #Digant (March 7, 2012 at 11:03 pm)

    Come off it bro… Those keys work for everyone, nobody has had trouble… The problem lies with you my friend… Try hitting the right keys when you type the code in, I’m no expert but I’m guessing that may do you right… lol. If you can’t do it propperly 1st time (it really is simple), then maybe you’re just not ready for windows 8, sry bro!

  11. HappyNow on March 26, 2012 at 5:13 pm said:

    Ok, I can sympathise with some people above. I tried MANY product keys with no joy. And yes, I checked the sha1 hash of the iso I downloaded, which was fine. I even burned two different DVDs with it, but that didn’t help.

    Out of curiosity I downloaded the iso again today at work (yey bandwidth) and burned another disk. Hey presto, the DNJXJ… key worked. Whether there was a gremlin in my DVD writer or something changed with the iso, I have no idea. But if you have this problem try downloading and burning again, tedious as this is.

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