Product Key

[Barret]

Hi,

My Granny's Product key was half lost. The corner was
torn so I only have half of it. I wiped the computer and
was reinstalling windows when it asked for a product key.
I look down and saw that it was gone. Is there anyway to
retrieve your product key? I have the full serial number
from the sticker if that helps.

Thanks for the help in advance,
Barret

 

[SteveL]

Had you posted this prior to formating the pc, there would
have been a way to retrieve the product key, but now you
are out of luck, as far as I know there is no way to
recover this, you will have to purchase a new copy.

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

Replacement of CD or Product Keys

To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the
appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web
site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS


| Hi,
|
| My Granny's Product key was half lost. The corner was
| torn so I only have half of it. I wiped the computer and
| was reinstalling windows when it asked for a product key.
| I look down and saw that it was gone. Is there anyway to
| retrieve your product key? I have the full serial number
| from the sticker if that helps.
|
| Thanks for the help in advance,
| Barret

 

[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 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, and someone has removed/destroyed the
label, you should contact you 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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