Lost Product Key

[Tim Murphy]

I am running on Windows XP Pro and have lost my
Installation Disk with the Certificate of Authority
(Product Key). How can I find my COA? I know it must be
in the Registry somewehere, but I have searched without
success so far.

 

[Herb Fritatta]

I am running on Windows XP Pro and have lost my
Installation Disk with the Certificate of Authority
(Product Key). How can I find my COA? I know it must be
in the Registry somewehere, but I have searched without
success so far.

Go here and download Everest:

http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

It's free, and it will tell you more than you want to know about your
hardware and software, including your XP product key. And it's free.

Also, be ready for a deluge of spam, as you've posted your real e-mail
address. not a good idea.

 

[John Ski]

Subject: Lost Product Key

From: "Tim Murphy" (e-mail address removed)
Date: 9/12/2004 10:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

I am running on Windows XP Pro and have lost my
Installation Disk with the Certificate of Authority
(Product Key). How can I find my COA? I know it must be
in the Registry somewehere, but I have searched without
success so far.

Get KeyFinder, free, from www.magicaljellybean.com .

HTH,
John
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
***Arthur C. Clarke***

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am running on Windows XP Pro and have lost my
Installation Disk with the Certificate of Authority
(Product Key). How can I find my COA? I know it must be
in the Registry somewehere, but I have searched without
success so far.

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

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