Recovering ProductID Number

[Thomas F. Ewald]

Is there a way to get a misplaced ProductID for a
Microsoft product? I can't find the number for my Windows
XP Home Edition. I thought maybe it would be listed in the
Registry, but didn't find it, or at least didn't recognize
it. Is it there? If not, does Microsoft make allowances
for this, and provide help in some way? It's a legitimate
XP disk, and I've registered on line. I want to do a dual-
boot with Linux and may have to reinstall Windows, so I
want to be prepared.

TIA.

 

[Norm]

You can find your product key with aida32 from:
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32
It will be listed under Operating System.

 

[Guest]

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Is there a way to get a misplaced ProductID for a
Microsoft product? I can't find the number for my Windows
XP Home Edition. I thought maybe it would be listed in the
Registry, but didn't find it, or at least didn't recognize
it. Is it there?

Yes, but it's not readily accessible. You can find the Product
key with any of these:

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe

http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32

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

 

[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 holographic label that the PC
manufacturer is supposed to affix to the exterior of the PC case, or
on the bottom of a laptop. The Product Key is _not_ stored on, nor is
it in any way extractable from, the installation CD.

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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having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Gary Tait]

Is there a way to get a misplaced ProductID for a
Microsoft product? I can't find the number for my Windows
XP Home Edition. I thought maybe it would be listed in the
Registry, but didn't find it, or at least didn't recognize
it. Is it there? If not, does Microsoft make allowances
for this, and provide help in some way? It's a legitimate
XP disk, and I've registered on line. I want to do a dual-
boot with Linux and may have to reinstall Windows, so I
want to be prepared.

TIA.

Just found out Belarc Advisor finds your product key too.