How to find product key from cd

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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G

Guest

Hello there

I have misplaced my book and I need to reisntall xp pro on my computer and
its asking for my product key which cant find where i have put it. can some
one help me to find the product key from the cd please or other means so i
can reinstall the wondows thanks
 
wilson said:
Hello there

I have misplaced my book and I need to reisntall xp pro on my
computer and its asking for my product key which cant find where i
have put it. can some one help me to find the product key from the cd
please or other means so i can reinstall the wondows thanks
Click to expand...

If, as I assume from your post you have got to the stage in the re-install
where it's asking for the key, you REALLY REALLY have to find it, especially
if you formatted the HDD. The CD does NOT contain the key.
 
Hi Wilson,

There is no product key on the CD, it's either on the CD jewel case, a
sticker on the pc, or possibly on a user manual. If you cannot find it, you
will need to contact the manufacturer for a replacement, or Microsoft
Product Support if it's a retail version.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hello there

I have misplaced my book and I need to reisntall xp pro on my computer and
its asking for my product key which cant find where i have put it. can some
one help me to find the product key from the cd please or other means so i
can reinstall the wondows thanks
Click to expand...



I ran into a similar situation a few years back where I
needed the key, and didn't have it.

I called Microsoft and explained the situation to them. You
may get a gentle scolding, but if you get the right tech,
he'll gladly generate you a new REAL key.



In the future, KEEP TRACK OF YOUR KEY.


I have clients all the time who-- when I ask them for the
key or their install disks -- they "don't know where they
put it."

I am BETTING when you need to go to work or the grocery
store, you know where your house and car keys are!

Why is your computer stuff less important?

tsk tsk


Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
Hi

If you've still got XP installed, try this program to find the PK:
Click to expand...

If you had paid attention to the poster's dilemma, he has
evidently FORMATTED his computer (without bothering to
locate his CDs and keys ahead of time), and NOW he's to his
screen where he's supposed to type in his XP key, and "he
can't find it."


The ONLY legal solution to this is to call Microsoft and ask
for a new key.


Tallahassee
 
wilson said:
Hello there

I have misplaced my book and I need to reisntall xp pro on my computer and
its asking for my product key which cant find where i have put it. can some
one help me to find the product key from the cd please or other means so i
can reinstall the wondows thanks
Click to expand...


The Product Key is not stored on the installation CD in any way,
shape, or form. The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to
perform the installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright
orange sticker that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM
(factory installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC
manufacturer affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of
a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc Advisor
from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html to find the Product Key.
(If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive
image used at the factory and not your specific Product Key; therefore,
it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not be -- used for a
re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of
the Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a
new license.


--

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
 
Talahasee said:
If you had paid attention to the poster's dilemma, he has
evidently FORMATTED his computer (without bothering to
locate his CDs and keys ahead of time),
Click to expand...


And precisely where did the OP mention that little detail?


--

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
 
Not always true -- having been bitten by that, I have
started writing the keys on the CD's with a sharpie -
saved me a couple of times (although I do make sure
I have the CD and KEY handy before deleting/reformatting
stuff).

mikey
 
I lost my computer papers when I moved. And have been looking for them
everywhere and can't find them. I reinstalled windows 98 second and don't
have my product key. My last program was not any good. Could someone help me
please? I have my CD.
 
barbara said:
I lost my computer papers when I moved. And have been looking for them
everywhere and can't find them. I reinstalled windows 98 second and don't
have my product key. My last program was not any good. Could someone help me
please? I have my CD.
Click to expand...


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a brightly colored
sticker that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer
affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.
The Product Key is not stored on the installation CD in any way, shape,
or form.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of
the Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a
new license.


--

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
 
The CD does not contain the CD key, normally. It is on the CD case or on a
stick stuck on your PC. If you do not have this, then your need to buy a new
version.
 

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