product key

[jesseok]

Where can i find the product key in the registry in windowsxp? Thank you in
advance, jeff

 

[purplehaz]

You can't. It's not stored in any readable form in the registry. You have to
use this tool to view it:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

 

[Sheldon]

I don't think it is as easy as earlier versions of
Windows...

However, I did recently find out that it is on the inside
ring of your installation cd... very faint numbers. Hope
this helps.

 

[justme]

You better take a closer look on the inside ring because the product key is
not marked on individual cd's but rather on a label attached to the package
that holds that cd.

 

[sheldon]

Are you sure, because I recently had a Microsoft employee
tell me that this was the product key. I don't have my
package (it is in storage) but I will compare the two when
I get a chance.

You may be right. But then why would the service agt tell
me otherwise?

 

[Guest]

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I don't think it is as easy as earlier versions of
Windows...

However, I did recently find out that it is on the inside
ring of your installation cd... very faint numbers. Hope
this helps.

No, this isn't correct. The product key appears nowhere on the
CD. In fact any CD of the same type (Home or Professional; Full,
Upgrade, or generic OEM) will work with any product key of the
same type; they are not matched.

To manufacture them the way you suggest would mean that each
would have to be individually made; this would increase the
manufacturing cost dramatically.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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 AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php 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 whomever sold you the
OS; 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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