Converting Windows registration number back into CD key

[Jack]

Hello,
Browsing the Internet I have found commercial, 3rd party software
allowing converting the registration number created by Windows during the
installation back into CD registration key.
Until now I thought it was a deeply kept secret by Microsoft, but apparently
it is not.
Where I can find a formula how that number is created?
I would like to develop such utility myself.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[Malke]

Hello,
Browsing the Internet I have found commercial, 3rd party
software
allowing converting the registration number created by Windows during the
installation back into CD registration key.
Until now I thought it was a deeply kept secret by Microsoft, but
apparently it is not.
Where I can find a formula how that number is created?
I would like to develop such utility myself.
Thanks,
Jack

I don't have the faintest idea what you are talking about. The Product Key
(which is your license to install/run a Microsoft operating system) is
different from the Product ID (which is what I assume you mean by "CD
registration key").

There are free third-party programs that can view the Product Key for
Windows and some Office suites - obviously Windows must already be
installed for this.

If you really think you're on to something, provide the url of the software
you found. Otherwise, understand that you should own the operating system
you want to run. If you don't want to pay for an operating system, there
are free alternatives such as Linux or FreeBSD.

http://freeos.com/
http://www.linux.org/
http://www.distrowatch.com
http://www.freebsd.org

Malke

 

[Jack]

Product ID = CD Key
Even Microsoft recognize that.
Jack

 

[Mike Scirocco]

Hello,
Browsing the Internet I have found commercial, 3rd party software
allowing converting the registration number created by Windows during the
installation back into CD registration key.
Until now I thought it was a deeply kept secret by Microsoft, but apparently
it is not.
Where I can find a formula how that number is created?
I would like to develop such utility myself.
Thanks,
Jack

Are you simply trying to read back the cd key? I believe you can do what
you want by reading it from the registry.

http://planetsourcecode.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=57164&lngWId=1
http://planetsourcecode.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=64182&lngWId=1

Mike

 

[Michael C]

Are you simply trying to read back the cd key? I believe you can do what
you want by reading it from the registry.

http://planetsourcecode.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=57164&lngWId=1
http://planetsourcecode.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=64182&lngWId=1

Yikes! Whoever wrote the first one was obviously fairly experienced yet
still wrote these 24 lines like a beginner

Dim bKeyChars(0 To 24) As Byte
'Possible characters in the CD Key:
bKeyChars(0) = Asc("B")
bKeyChars(1) = Asc("C")
bKeyChars(2) = Asc("D")
bKeyChars(3) = Asc("F")
bKeyChars(4) = Asc("G")
bKeyChars(5) = Asc("H")
bKeyChars(6) = Asc("J")
bKeyChars(7) = Asc("K")
bKeyChars(8) = Asc("M")
bKeyChars(9) = Asc("P")
bKeyChars(10) = Asc("Q")
bKeyChars(11) = Asc("R")
bKeyChars(12) = Asc("T")
bKeyChars(13) = Asc("V")
bKeyChars(14) = Asc("W")
bKeyChars(15) = Asc("X")
bKeyChars(16) = Asc("Y")
bKeyChars(17) = Asc("2")
bKeyChars(18) = Asc("3")
bKeyChars(19) = Asc("4")
bKeyChars(20) = Asc("6")
bKeyChars(21) = Asc("7")
bKeyChars(22) = Asc("8")
bKeyChars(23) = Asc("9")

 

[expvb]

Hello,
Browsing the Internet I have found commercial, 3rd party
software allowing converting the registration number created by Windows
during the installation back into CD registration key.
Until now I thought it was a deeply kept secret by Microsoft, but
apparently it is not.
Where I can find a formula how that number is created?
I would like to develop such utility myself.
Thanks,
Jack

In Windows 9x, it's saved in the registry in clear text format. In Windows
2000+, I think it's encrypted, but some find out how to de-encrypt it,
including XP apparently. I think those who may want to use these utilities
legitimately are those who bought a new/used computer and lost the CD case
or key and want to reinstall the OS. Obviously there are others who would
use it for illegitimate use.

 

[Malke]

In Windows 9x, it's saved in the registry in clear text format. In
Windows 2000+, I think it's encrypted, but some find out how to
de-encrypt it, including XP apparently. I think those who may want to
use these utilities legitimately are those who bought a new/used
computer and lost the CD case or key and want to reinstall the OS.
Obviously there are others who would use it for illegitimate use.

The OP still hasn't given an url for the software he's talking about nor
made it clear what he means.

As I said, there are free utilities that can view the Product Key used
to install Windows XP:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

There is nothing secret or illegal about this. There is also nothing
commercial about this since these key finders are free.

Malke

 

[mayayana]

Product ID = CD Key

Even Microsoft recognize that.

Product ID is like a SKU number. It may or
may not be used for anything meaningful
in WinNT, but it's not in Win9x. I think, though,
that ProductID was used in Win95 as the
code required at setup. Then MS came up
with the ProductKey in Win98.
(Then of course they cooked up Product Activation...
And Vista will probably require an iris scan along
with an "anti-commie" background check to ensure
that you've never talked to a terrrorist organization,
downloaded corporately-licensed music, or
installed open source software.

ProductKey is what's on the CD that you have
to enter at install. On my Win98 system both
codes are in the HKLM\Software\.....\CurrentVersion
key.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Product Key is not the registration key.

Product ID = CD Key
Even Microsoft recognize that.
Jack

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Product ID = CD Key
Even Microsoft recognize that.

Not really, as you're quite wrong.

The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is
prominently displayed on the General Properties tab of the My Computer
icon. It is used to obtain/qualify for technical support (limited
though that may be) from Microsoft.

The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate
license and is required to perform the installation, and is either
stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker that says "Do not
lose this number," or is on a label affixed to an OEM computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Jack]

People!!!!
Please tell that to:
Malke

 

[Phil Weldon]

'Jack' wrote:
| People!!!!
| Please tell that to:
| Malke
| --
| MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
|
| He is the person who does not understand what CD key is !!!!
| Jack

_____

You have a lot to learn.

Phil Weldon

| People!!!!
| Please tell that to:
| Malke
| --
| MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
|
| He is the person who does not understand what CD key is !!!!
| Jack
|
| | > Jack wrote:
| >> Product ID = CD Key
| >> Even Microsoft recognize that.
| >
| >
| > Not really, as you're quite wrong.
| >
| > The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is
| > prominently displayed on the General Properties tab of the My Computer
| > icon. It is used to obtain/qualify for technical support (limited
though
| > that may be) from Microsoft.
| >
| > The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate
license
| > and is required to perform the installation, and is either stored on the
| > CD packaging on a bright orange sticker that says "Do not lose this
| > number," or is on a label affixed to an OEM computer.
| >
| >
| > --
| >
| > Bruce Chambers
| >
| > Help us help you:
| >
| >
| >
| > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
| > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
| >
| > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand
| > Russell
|
|

 

[ginger]

People!!!!
Please tell that to:
Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

He is the person who does not understand what CD key is !!!!
Jack

You truly are a moron.

 

[Mike Scirocco]

Yikes! Whoever wrote the first one was obviously fairly experienced yet
still wrote these 24 lines like a beginner

Dim bKeyChars(0 To 24) As Byte
'Possible characters in the CD Key:
bKeyChars(0) = Asc("B")
bKeyChars(1) = Asc("C")

<snip>

Agreed, but at least we now have some code to discuss, instead of
posturing and "no value added" posts.

Mike

 

[Michael C]

Agreed, but at least we now have some code to discuss, instead of
posturing and "no value added" posts.

It's actually quite a "value added" point. So many experienced programmers
still write slabs of copy/paste code like that shown in the example.

Michael

 

[Guest]

Registered to: Tanking about another registration subject.
I had my computer set up by a third party and they entered Registered to :
User this is really annoying because whenever I open a program it defaults to
User as the Name so I have to type in my name.
Can this be changer.
I have already changed it in all the obvious places but User is still the
registered owner of the XP softwear.
Dingo

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Registered to: Tanking about another registration subject.
I had my computer set up by a third party and they entered Registered to :
User this is really annoying because whenever I open a program it defaults to
User as the Name so I have to type in my name.
Can this be changer.
I have already changed it in all the obvious places but User is still the
registered owner of the XP softwear.
Dingo

To fix the "Registered to" information for WinNT/2K/XP, you can use
Start > Run > Regedit.exe to edit:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\RegisteredOwner

and:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\RegisteredOrganization

How this will affect the name displayed in previously installed
applications will vary depending upon each individual program; some read
the registered owner information dynamically, while others read it only
during their installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell