Windows XP Program Key.. How To Locate?

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  • Start date Start date
R

Ryan

Hi,

I think I am out of luck, but just wanted to check.

I have a PC at home that is giving me trouble. I bought and loaded
Windows XP Home on it when XP came out. I also bought a XP Pro for my
other PC which I have long ago replaced.

I have decided to reformat my hard drive and re-install XP, but I have
a major issue.

I have both XP CD's that are originals from Microsoft I purchased at
CompUSA but I can't find the boxes or Program Keys! Of course, I can't
load Windows XP without a key and I have searched everywhere. It's
frustrating because I bought these two copies of XP, paid full price
for them, am the legal owner and wanted to install one on this machine
that is not being used anywhere else. BUT, it seems these CD's are
useless to me without a key.

Can I get a new key? How? I would hate to think I have to throw out
these Windows XP CDs and buy a whole new copy just because I lost the
sleeve with the key on it.

Help!
 
Hi

If XP is still installed, try here:

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

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| Hi,
|
| I think I am out of luck, but just wanted to check.
|
| I have a PC at home that is giving me trouble. I bought and loaded
| Windows XP Home on it when XP came out. I also bought a XP Pro for my
| other PC which I have long ago replaced.
|
| I have decided to reformat my hard drive and re-install XP, but I have
| a major issue.
|
| I have both XP CD's that are originals from Microsoft I purchased at
| CompUSA but I can't find the boxes or Program Keys! Of course, I can't
| load Windows XP without a key and I have searched everywhere. It's
| frustrating because I bought these two copies of XP, paid full price
| for them, am the legal owner and wanted to install one on this machine
| that is not being used anywhere else. BUT, it seems these CD's are
| useless to me without a key.
|
| Can I get a new key? How? I would hate to think I have to throw out
| these Windows XP CDs and buy a whole new copy just because I lost the
| sleeve with the key on it.
|
| Help!
 
Hi

Does anyone know of a way to get a product key from just
the cd....that's my problem right now.
 
Hi

The PK is always separate from the CD.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| Hi
|
| Does anyone know of a way to get a product key from just
| the cd....that's my problem right now.
|
|
| >-----Original Message-----
| >Hi
| >
| >If XP is still installed, try here:
| >
| >http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
| >
| >--
| >
| >Will Denny
| >MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
| >Please reply to the News Groups
| >
| >
| >| >| Hi,
| >|
| >| I think I am out of luck, but just wanted to check.
| >|
| >| I have a PC at home that is giving me trouble. I
| bought and loaded
| >| Windows XP Home on it when XP came out. I also bought
| a XP Pro for my
| >| other PC which I have long ago replaced.
| >|
| >| I have decided to reformat my hard drive and re-
| install XP, but I have
| >| a major issue.
| >|
| >| I have both XP CD's that are originals from Microsoft
| I purchased at
| >| CompUSA but I can't find the boxes or Program Keys! Of
| course, I can't
| >| load Windows XP without a key and I have searched
| everywhere. It's
| >| frustrating because I bought these two copies of XP,
| paid full price
| >| for them, am the legal owner and wanted to install one
| on this machine
| >| that is not being used anywhere else. BUT, it seems
| these CD's are
| >| useless to me without a key.
| >|
| >| Can I get a new key? How? I would hate to think I
| have to throw out
| >| these Windows XP CDs and buy a whole new copy just
| because I lost the
| >| sleeve with the key on it.
| >|
| >| Help!
| >
| >.
| >
 
I don't know if this number will work for WinXP, but it is worth a
try. 1-800-642-7676

hawk
 
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, you should contact whomever sold you the
PC; 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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Greetings --

The Product Key is no where on the CD. That would be the
equivalent of locking your car and then storing the keys in the
truck's keyhole.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Hi,

I think I am out of luck, but just wanted to check.

I have a PC at home that is giving me trouble. I bought and loaded
Windows XP Home on it when XP came out. I also bought a XP Pro for my
other PC which I have long ago replaced.

I have decided to reformat my hard drive and re-install XP, but I have
a major issue.

I have both XP CD's that are originals from Microsoft I purchased at
CompUSA but I can't find the boxes or Program Keys! Of course, I can't
load Windows XP without a key and I have searched everywhere. It's
frustrating because I bought these two copies of XP, paid full price
for them, am the legal owner and wanted to install one on this machine
that is not being used anywhere else. BUT, it seems these CD's are
useless to me without a key.

Can I get a new key? How? I would hate to think I have to throw out
these Windows XP CDs and buy a whole new copy just because I lost the
sleeve with the key on it.
Click to expand...

The license is the part that you pay for (the key), the CD is worth
pennies
 

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