Discussion on:

Find a lost Windows product key

have you been able to avoid it? Or have you had a smooth experience whenever you've had to deal with WPA issues?

Belarc Advisor from www.Belarc.com lists them all.
Free for personal use!

HI IF GOT THE DISK BUT CANT FIND MY PRODUCT KEY CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE

Do you have windows installed on your computer?

no ,the windows is not installed

I purchassed A Microsoft XP3 opereating system CD.Now the keys was erased .Pls help me to find out the original keys.

how does one erase a reg key from a cd

are you trying to tell us the label that has the key file printed on it came off of the case, or you lost the genuine reg key label.
or that you erased it from the cd, which mind you is an imposibility, as the reg key is not on the cd

If you only have the CD, and WinXP is not installed on the PC, there is no way to recover the key 'cuz the key is not imbedded in the CD. The CD only contains an algorithim to check the key that's entered during installation to see if it's valid.

I have lost my product key and i do not have CD
so can you please guide me what i have to do further to get my product key. Hope you have understand my problem

I have some software that might help if you cannt find the key

I am interested in having the said software

Magic Jellybean programs lists all microsoft products codes and it's freeware

Thank you for the information. I'll get it.

I need the I d number to install a program

Personally I will never install any OS or other product that I know requires Product activation on any computer of mine. I have had enough bad experiences from getting ordinary licenses from Microsoft already. Their licensing delivery system sucks and so do PA.

That means no Symantec Products and no major Microsoft Products. As a computer technician, I see thousands of computers. You wouldn't believe the amount of bootleg software around. I can understand why MS and others do it. That doesn't mean that I like it however. Especially the fact that in order to preload windows, I must now activate the product before i get updates. Also, if the OS damands to be activated but will only boot in safe mode, what can you do?

I purchased a used computer from Computer Renessance preloaded with Windows.Installation of upgrades proved it was bootleg. The OS still works, but will not play videos. Can a Product Key be found for this situation? dickschulz@charter.net

I've never had a problem with it, personally. I am curious though if MS keeps statistics on the calls/connections they get for product activation. The reason I say that is this: just because a system _shipped_ with XP, doesn't mean it _runs_ XP. I found it interesting that at the local university all the new Dell computers in the computer lab that have XP Product ID stickers on them are actually running 2000 Pro!

My guess is that for compatibility or other reasons, there are lots of people who prefer something else. This of course skews statistics about XP use, because they are removing XP and installing a different operating system.

They may already have an open license for W2K with a standardized desktop image. In that case they would purchase the machines with XP home edition then roll out the standard image.

I booted up my computer and it informed me that I was running an illegal version or something of that nature and needed to call MS. I had made no changes in my system for several months at that point. Fortunately this did not occur during a critical business time. I called MS and got response very quickly without the usual VMS b-s all companies use now that prevents you from reaching a person. Not only that the person on the other end of the line spoke english very well.

We resolved the problem with only 4 telephone calls and in less than 2 hours I was back up and running OK. Note that this was after 10 PM EST.

I'm glad it happened when it did and without iuncident to business, otherwise I'd be running to convert the company to Linux. Considering that anyway due to the exclusive nature of MS products and the registration requirements.

So what was the problem and how was it corrected?

A number of universities also participate in the Microsoft Academic Alliance which provides licenses and software to the universities and students. Participating universities may offer students copies of WinXP, Visual Studio and a host of other software free of charge (to the student). The tendency of slow reacting academia to use older (somehow perceived as more stable) OS's like Win2K or compatibility issues with particular software used by/at a university may also cause them to switch out the OEM installed OS in favor of something else.

One of the things that volume licensing allows it to downgrade a product. This means they can use Windows 2000 (or NT for that matter). The same thing is available to products like office.

MS Offers the ability to downgrade a license (under some circumstances). read the EULA that comes with your OS to see if you can downgrade.

"I will never" use a Microsoft product that requires either re-activation or re-licensing. It's a ridiculous little MS-Scam and I refuse to go along. I now use XP PRO because it doesn't require Activation, if the day ever comes when nothing else is available without this re-activation,re-licensing rip-off, I will go back to my Win/ME or 98/Sec Ed rather than give in to what I consider nothing short of GREED on the part of Microsoft.Not to mention that I deeply resent the level of depth of thier questions and how personal they get when they delve into your personal history.Most of the stuff they ask is "NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS", I'm buying a Microsoft product,not filling out a Police Report form.I deeply resent the way they have inflicted themselves into our lives and the methods used the get what they want.The MS Product is excellent, but MS the way of doing busisness leaves a lot to be desired.
I consider it corrupt.
Thank You
Aaron A Baker

Be careful what you swear to. You state that you are using XP Pro because it doesn't require activation. I beg to differ. XP Pro actually does require activation and also "re-activation" if you need to reinstall it. If you have not been through the activation process yourself with XP Pro, I would venture to guess that it came pre-installed on your machine. Most OEMs pre-activate the OS at the factory so the retail customer will not have to do it themselves.

I would suggeest you try to reinstall XP Pro and if you can do so without activation, then your comment is valid.

It would be a really big pain for even a medium sized company line mine, much less a large company like HP, General Motors, or Lockheed Martin (just naming random large companies) to activate the tens of thousands of software licenses they buy indvidually. There are certain keys that Microsoft issues for corporate licenses that do not require the product to be activated at all, or "reactivated" as far as I know...

copies of XP Pro were distributed, by the hundreds of thousands, that have a key code that does not require activation of any kind, other than to be input upon original/clean installation of the OS.. these disks were distributed to educational facilities, large corporations, MS technical staff, OEM companies, NGOs, and other not for profits. There was a day when - if you couldn't find a "Legitimate FREE copy of Windows XP Pro" you were living under a rock!!!.

My Apologies;
I should have stated that I HAD the 2003 version and got rid of it for the exact same reasons that we are discussing right now. I crashed twice and then had to call MS to get a new number. I was informed that I would have to do this forever now, but it was no problem for them as they just give them out randomly. Man I was Blue in the face. This thing cost $250.00 Ca and I had "was forced" to buy RAM in order to be allowed to buy it.Yet Another Microsoft Maneuver.
All told, over $300.00 is what I spent on the 2003 version and what did I get, the same as my 2001 except the the SPPack 2 was embedded. WOW!! I was furious.
Not with the Tech, he was great and was actually English. Rather with the Hubris and arrogance that Microsoft is now displaying. Once I pay for a product"And I can prove it? That Should be Enough". So I dumped the 2003 and went back to my 2001 version.
With 2001, you can re-install Auld Nauseum and not have to account to anyone for doing so.
Found there is almost no difference between them except that now I can go to the Bathroom without Microsoft's Kind Permission. Actually with the 2003 I had far more problems than with the 2001.
And YES, I Will hang on to my 2001 XPPro for as long as I possibly can and try with all I've got, to avoid this disaster called VISTA.
Sorry about the omission, thanks for understanding.
Regards
Aaron

Aaron, I'm sure that in my comment above I am referring to the 2001 version of XP Pro and had in fact seen some people begin to have problems after "upgrading" to 2003 service packs.

I don't know where you aquired your XP, but XP does indeed require activation. As member Canderra states, you probably got a pre-activated version or you may have a multi-license version that does not require a first time activation. However, if you change one-too-many hardware components on your system, you WILL have to reactivate!

Don't forget to look into options other than MS products when you decide to stop using XP (since somewhere along the way you'll end up having to reactivate XP or activate it for the first time installing it on new hardware). Don't forget about other options, like MacOS X and Linux.

I, for one, avoid a great many Windows worries by using Linux almost exclusively. I do have a Windows 2000 (SP2, as the license issues for SP3 are just too restrictive for my taste) system, but that's only a necessity because of my line of work (I consult for clients that use Windows).

Among Windows products, you might look into Windows 2000 instead of Windows 95 or 98, too. Win2k is, without a doubt, Microsoft's best operating system to date. It still falls short of Debian GNU/Linux, but there was a time when it was my primary OS.

Unless you are using a Corporate or Volume License All versions of XP require product activation. You may have received a version that was shipped "pre-activated". btw: there are only volume license upgrades to Operating systems.

There is no greed about activation. If you have a retail version of a MS Operating system, you
do not have to pay any fee to run it on a new computer or activate it. You just have to destory the installation on the old computer.

OEM operating systems are licensed for that hardware only and can never be activated on another computer.

There is never any personal information sent to MS during product activation.

If you register, then of course you will be sending personal information to MS, but registration is optional.

I agree 100% - you are right on Mr. Baker.
This 77 year old thinks Microsoft marketing is rotten to the core.

Sir, having utilized a computer of some sort since 1966, I feel confortable saying that the problem is not greed, but is trust. the swiss cheese Gates sold back then is still swiss cheese today, but the ms team is trying to make it better. Black Hatters screw this up. Remember, it started out swiss cheese and people bought it. So why get upset because Black hatters cause the updates and changes, and society requires bigger and better products at a rate so fast that a perfect program is impossible. Chill -- go with the flow and keep you stuff updated. Of course there is always free or share ware. Good luck.

You say that Windows XP Pro does not need activation? I'm afraid you are wrong there. The only XP that does not need activation is the OEM, or Corporate versions, and the Corporate versions have volume licensing

What if your hard drive crashes and you have lost the number and can't retrieve for the hard drive. Is there no way to retrieve it from the cd.

All the CD uses for the activation-key control is an algorithm which verifys that the key you have entered is valid. The key itself is on a piece of paper with a hologram from Microsoft.

If the drive crashed from a 'soft error' like corruption of the kernel or something, you could try using a Knoppix or other LiveCD bootup to extract the key from the (hopefully still useable) registry on the hard drive. If you can get the WinXP CD 'Repair Console' to boot, you may be able to use that.

Otherwise you are better off finding the CD case with your key, buying a copy of XP, or using free Linux.

Hint: If your hard drive quit mechanically, try tapping it against the heel of your hand and remounting or positioning it inverted (or at least in a different position from what it was). Reboot, and if the drive works and you can boot, extract the key with Belarc Advisor and recover your data before wiping and tossing the dying drive.

I use a small program called "magic jellybean"
to extract the product id on a running windows
PC. It works pretty good, if you are just reloading
windows and can't find your key any where.

I do hope everyone knows that the product key is in the registry for all versions of windows even the new Vista and it is not encrypted just sort of hidden Lol another words it is not listed as product key if you do a search. Why bother to download 3d party programs to find it. This is one of the ways MS can tell if your windows is pirated or not since most pirated versions do not place the key in the real place it is suppose to be. This is sort of a double check to validate your windows as real. Just do a start-run-then type regedit-then enter. Then look around but remember do not change anything in the registry. Also this will get you to be familiar with the registry. Also, why you are at it do a back up of the registry

In Win9x/Me, the PK is indeed in the registry, easy to find, and plain as day. In all versions of Windows from 2000 up, the PK is in the registry, encrypted as 'Digital Product ID'. It's also in the file C:\windows\system32\config\software as an encrypted number (WinXP, maybe W2k also). That's why we use 3rd party apps to get key. As far as Vista is concerned, I don't know 'cuz I haven't messed with it that much.

No WPA problems. We have a site license edition of Microsoft Windows. When I accidently lose my product key, I used Insane Keyfinder to retrieve it: http://www.insaneware.com/keyfinder.htm

I tried the insane keyfinder. Does not work for Office 2000 like the ad states. This product costs money. Belarc Advisor and jellybean keyfinder are always free.

Jellybean keyfinder new version does REMOTE kefinding.

What's the big deal. Use Sisoft Sandra (the free version is sufficienct) and the option "Windows Information" gives product ID and Product Key.

It is not listed anymore on download.com or on their website.
Looks like it is a fully commercial product now.

Download a free copy of BELARC ADVISOR, (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html) install, print it as hard copy and PDF. You will have ALL your software licenses, plus a wealth of other info. Usually do a PDF update every couple of weeks if I've added software...and always before I reformat a computer. That hard copy is mighty nice when installing software! And, if for some reason I do have to take my computer in for repair, BELARC is always run before the unplug and the first thing on return. You can verify everything concerning your computer

my laptop hard drive failed recently with XP pro runing on it. I had to reload everything but i had the licence sticker still!!! Tried installing several differant XP OS but get the same result, licence key is not valid. Is there a database or something to tell me which version my licence validates?...

The key sticker should read whether the key is for Home or Pro edition. If you have trouble loading the key. Remember that the font used may be difficult to distinguish between '8' and 'B', 'I' and '1', or other similar characters.

Call Microsoft and describe the trouble to them, they may condescend to issue you a replacement key (since it's obvious you bought a license with your laptop).

Otherwise, use Linux or buy a new key...

XP keys will NEVER contain any vowels. There will
never be a zero or one or five in the key. There will never be the letter 'S' or the letter 'Z' in
a product key. Anyway, just a little XP key trivia.....
I was told this info by an MS licensing agent over the phone while trying to activate once about 8 months ago....

If your laptop is like mine (Acer), then y ou do not have to activate at all. I tried that too and got the same result. Talked to their support and was told that their OEM version that ships with the system, does not require activation.

Of course nobody has answered the implied question How do I discover the Registration Key when I do not have access to it? I don't have the answer for this either, but what I do is to keep a copy of the installation CD online and I title it WINXP- or WIN2K- followed by the registration code. So, it is always available if you can get to a directory. Not of much value if you can't open OS in first place, but if you are in system and error occurs, then has value. Has more value in using this naming scheme for the Office and application products.

There is a really nice stand alone free program that fits on a floppy that not only give you all your keys but also gives you your complete system information, including your system log on passward. just let me know if your interested. It's great for find out what your ram, mother board or video card is.

Sounds good. How can i get a copy.

Sure whats your email?

Thanks for the reply, maybe I can return the favor sometime.
gbdres84@comast.net

Sounds good. please let me know about the program - my email id is yegna1234@hotmail.com
yegna

How can we get the program?

Sure, whats your email?

gbdres84@comcast.net
Thanks for the reply maybe I can return the favor sometime.

gbdres84@comcast.net
Thanks for the reply maybe I can return the favor sometime.

Thanks for the reply, maybe I can return the favor sometime.
gbdres84@comast.net

I would sure like that program too. Thanks.

ang2006@charter.net

Perhaps you could post the name and source of the program for all.

I know it was a while ago that you posted it, but if youcan, I would like it also.
hollis21228@yahoo.com
Thank you.

I'd like to get a copy of that, if you can.
My email address is j1shalack@gmail.com
Thanks...

AZson -
Can you also send me a copy? email address: rcrainman1@yahoo.com
Thanks!

I would like a copy also. Thanks
ghalesan@yahoo.com

I would appreciate a copy also.
My email is sdjvincent@yahoo.com.
Thanks!

Thx!

sys_min@yahoo.com

Would greatly appreciate your sharing that program with me. gwiggins01@InsightBB.com Really appreciate it. Thanks.

Can I get a copy of the program also?
lharper@indy.rr.com
Thanks!

There is a site that, after downloading its software, it gives you all the info about your system, your board, RAM, what devices you have, including the Product Key for Windows, Office Suites, and even lists all updates which were installed. Go to - www.belarc.com -- follow instructions for download, it works great!!

I am very interested. Please email a copy of the program to pjdn@juno.com. Thanks

It sounds like it could save me hours or research on some machine coming it for work. Where do I get this one.

There is another good one out there called Adidas but it has to nbe installed

Sounds like a usefull tool.
If you would please send it to me.
stevenddickey@yahoo.com

Thanks

Can I get a copy of the program? My email is mcstout@verizon.net

Thanks!

I would like a copy of the program also.

Thanks George ghalesan@yahoo.com

How can I get info on this program?

I would love a copy if it's still available.
jwlindsey@earthlink.net

Azon I would be very interested in knowing where to get the program you reference.

I thought there would be tips and such for recovering a lost key.

I use a keyfinder program that I found linked from http://petri.co.il/ (Magic Jellybean Keyfinder - their website is http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml )

I want my 30 seconds back.

Magic Jelly Bean from CA download found with virus by Trend Micro s/w running here

,

SIW - System Information for Windows. This program perform computer configuration analysis and diagnostics. It gives detailed information about your computer properties and settings, detailed specs for CPU, motherboard, chipset, BIOS, CPU, PCI/AGP, USB and ISA/PnP devices, memory, monitor, video card, disk drives, CD/DVD devices, SCSI devices, S.M.A.R.T., ports, network cards, printers, operating system, installed programs and hotfixes, processes, services, serial numbers (CD keys), users, open files, system uptime, network, network shares, as well as real-time monitors for CPU, memory, page file usage and network traffic. It displays currently active network connections, passwords hidden behind asterisks, installed codecs, and more.
This program also creates a report file, and is able to run in batch mode.
A standalone tool that does not require installation - one less installed program on your PC as well the fact that you can run the program directly from a USB flash drive.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html

1. Windows product activation is not Windows Product REGISTRATION. Activation simply takes the key and matches it with Microsofts database to indicate the key is in use. This is not registration. Registration is what asks all the personal information.

2. When I lost my key at one point, I called in and spoke to a technician. They played twenty questions with me (took maybe 5 minutes) and gave me a new license number. Now this was a commercial WinXP Pro CD that I had misplaced the book and the hard drive was crashed. But 5, maybe 10 minutes max. I came away from the call bewildered, and just saved the new key. Its NOT that hard folks.

3. When I work with customers that have WORKING hard drives and don't know the key to Windows or anything else I use this keyfinder from:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

Its called "software spawned from sheer boredom" but boy is it worth it's weight in gold. Takes 2 minutes to run and gives me ever MS key on the system. Print it out, reformat, reinstall and use each key as appropriate.

Buy volume licensed product. Volume licensed software does not need to be activated.

As long as you can boot the OS, the Magic Jellybean will get any Win2k, XP, 2003 product key for you.

I have used it at least 100 times over the years to find lost keys. It is the end-all solution. I tried it on a Vista beta and it did not work but I notified the developer. I am sure it will be added soon.

kinda difficult but it works.
load the hive from the non bootable pc.
export the key where the digital ID is stored.
edit the exported file to remove the hive key that you imported under.
make a system restore point in your current OS (of the same type pro or home).
install jellybean keyfinder.
merge the edited export.
run jellybean and save the output.
do a system restore back to earlier save point.

First, locate and download a nifty little app called 'ProduKey' (majorgeeks is where I got my copy). You'll now slave the drive with the trashed non-booting XP to a PC with a booting, healthy XP installed. Now, on the 'Run' line, type a:\produkey.exe /regfile "e:\windows\
system32\config\software" with the quotes. Of course, your drive letters may be different: a:\ is to be used if ProduKey is on a floppy and e:\ is the drive letter of the slaved drive with the non booting XP. Now wait a couple seconds and there it is! If you don't have a 2nd PC with a booting XP install, you can use the app and the same run line command to run from the floppy if you boot to ERD Commander or UBCD4Win or BartsPE CD or something similar. Produkey will NOT run from the recovery console. Which brings up a good point: when will someone develop a key reader that WILL run from the recovery console?

Here is a link for Produkey with some how-to info..
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

I have never had an issue using this product.

Does Win 98 require a product KEY to reinstal??

I have read on other sites that some say yes and others said no !!

I bought two same model computers in 1999 and got two OEM WIN 98 CD's. One conputer is dead and I have the CD for it, The other is acting up but I can't find its CD but I do have its key code. Nothing on the computers mention a key code.

Can I reinstall win 98 using the other CD with the key code from the other one?

I never heard of Key codes until WIN XP came out.

windows 98 SE does have a key and you will need it to reinstall if you have a local college and know a student I'd recommend seeing if the y can get you a students copy it'll have the key and you'll still have the os to install most colleges also use openended license like corp.

Great tool that displays most if not all of your product keys.

See: http://belarc.com/free_download.html

My PC was taken in to get reformated, the original XP CD was forgotten,so the fellow that reformatted the PC put a cracked version of Windows in my PC. Now Windows knows and is saying I have an illegal version of windows. I don't know what to do. I have the original XP CD, didn't write the keycode down, don't have the box, So what should I do? mail the original XP-CD to Microsoft to verify I have a legal copy of Windows? How am I going to find my key code? Is it on the XP CD somewhere? I have looked and couldn't find it. My PC is really screwing up and I need it cause I want to start my home-based business soon.I wish I never gave my PC into the hands of a private-wanna-be-cracked-version tech for repair.
Thank you so much
Kim

Usually you can repair windows xp and windows 2k without reformatting. However, ANY professional repair outfit that is worth their weight will extract the key and the version before reformatting. Your key code is in one of two places: OEM has a sticker on the side of the machine. The Retail version comes in a folder with the keycode on it.
If you have registered your software with Microsoft, they will be able to help you.

Catastrophic hard drive crash, have Win XP Home 2002 Edition CD but have lost the key. Can anyone advise how I can get the key off of the CD so that I can install my Windows XP Home on the new hard drive?

Thanks in advance

JT

Unfortuneately, the key to unlock the CD is not stored anywhere on the CD. When you enter your key while installing, it's checked against an algorithm to verify that the key is valid. The product key is usually on the label which is on the package containing the CD. If you did have a working hard drive, you could use a program like "KeyFinder" that shows you your key or actually would change it for you. This program, or another like it(ViewKeyXP,Rock XP4 Key Finder, etc.) should be part of your tool kit once you get things fixed anyhow, if you would need your key in the future. However, regarding your problem, I have not tried this myself, but it might help you. Go on to Windows cd that you are going to use. Go to folder I386 and then look for the file unattend.txt. At the bottom of this file will say "Product Key". That number should bypass the activation screen. Also, if you have a Genuine MS Install CD of any type you can read the product number off the inner ring and call MS Technical Support to get them to reissue the Product Key. If all else fails, you could buy a new XP Home Edition for as little as $83 at WinBuyer. Hope this info helps a little.

Your reply was very helpful and much appreciated.

First I will try the program(s) before going to the Windows cd. Thank you for the valued information.

JT,
I have dealt with this many times, I upgrade/rebuild PCs for a living....
First, to clarify, Your saying your HD is dead so you cannot use any programs to read the drive and get the Key as previously installed.

This is an easy fix, IF you have a sticker on the side of the PC with a License Key on it for the operating system you want to install.
Every store bought PC will have this, Every PC I build, I put the sticker on the side.

When you pay for a Windows OS, you are realy paying for that number. If you have that number, you can use most any Windows CD to install the OS. After you install the OS, you will have to activate the product, if it does not activate, you will be given a Phone number to call Bill Gates. Call, tell them you repalced the HD and used a CD laying around the house to install Windows. They will ask you if the OS is on any other PCs (that really means, is the key activated on any other PCs?). Tell them no and the will give you a looooong serious of numbers to enter in the blocks and BINGO, your done...

I have done this MANY times and they NEVER give me any crap. Sorry MS bashers out there!!!

Now, sometimes you have a bit of a problem getting the install to take your numbers from the side. That is because there are 2 types of OS CDs out there and you need to use the correct one that was used on your PC.

-There is OEM CD, this is what is used by the PC manufactures; HP etc. They are stamped "Not to be resold or used on any other product yada yada yada"
-There is a store purchased CD

I keep both, guess which to use and then use the other if I run into problems...

This Activation thing really is not a problem...

ps MS bashers....MS is so nice, if your running a bootleg Win OS, and know what your doing, you will still get all the IMPORTANT security updates needed, you just won't get any free fun stuff from Windows..

BA

I went back and looked at the the old PC tower and sure enough there on the side was the small Microsoft sticker on the side with the License Key for the XP Home system. Everything worked out just as you outlined.

Many thank;

JT,

Glad you had the sticker, glad to here it worked out. As many times that I have called MS, they have never refused to provide the info to reactivate (or whatever that does) my OS system.

I do wonder what would happen if the key was being used on 2 machines. I guess eventually one would kick out as a non valid install during an automatic update.

BA

JT,
I have dealt with this many times, I upgrade/rebuild PCs for a living....
First, to clarify, Your saying your HD is dead so you cannot use any programs to read the drive and get the Key as previously installed.

This is an easy fix, IF you have a sticker on the side of the PC with a License Key on it for the operating system you want to install.
Every store bought PC will have this, Every PC I build, I put the sticker on the side.

When you pay for a Windows OS, you are realy paying for that number. If you have that number, you can use most any Windows CD to install the OS. After you install the OS, you will have to activate the product, if it does not activate, you will be given a Phone number to call Bill Gates. Call, tell them you repalced the HD and used a CD laying around the house to install Windows. They will ask you if the OS is on any other PCs (that really means, is the key activated on any other PCs?). Tell them no and the will give you a looooong serious of numbers to enter in the blocks and BINGO, your done...

I have done this MANY times and they NEVER give me any crap. Sorry MS bashers out there!!!

Now, sometimes you have a bit of a problem getting the install to take your numbers from the side. That is because there are 2 types of OS CDs out there and you need to use the correct one that was used on your PC.

-There is OEM CD, this is what is used by the PC manufactures; HP etc. They are stamped "Not to be resold or used on any other product yada yada yada"
-There is a store purchased CD

I keep both, guess which to use and then use the other if I run into problems...

This Activation thing really is not a problem...

ps MS bashers....MS is so nice, if your running a bootleg Win OS, and know what your doing, you will still get all the IMPORTANT security updates needed, you just won't get any free fun stuff from Windows..

BA

I ALWAYS write in permanent ink any serial numbers, activation codes, CD Keys, etc. directly on the CD before ever doing anything further that way if I have the media, I have the numbers. If I copy it onto other media (such as a network drive for installation - I create a text file on the root portion and name it the number. Such as SN-ABC12345.txt or KEY-1a2b3 c4d5e....txt
I also keep a spreadsheet with CD description and code listing.

Never had to worry about lost keys and such after starting this process.

No problem with PA issues.

I regularly reformat or swap parts on my machine and rather than reactivate every time i find it easier to either 1) use the same hard drive image with minimal excess (OS, Updates, Office) getting rid of the need to reactivate or 2) use the backup WPA obtained with RockXP, which is quite possibly the best software I've found yet for dealing with WinXP product hassles. Freeware avaiilable at http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/9/13-9-195.shtml or at least that's the URL as of this posting.

WPA is only the start. Now Norton is doing it, with the antivirus software and partition magic is requiring it. I'm sure there are others so the problem now comes in contacting all the software makers explaining why you are activating the product again. I will avoid PA products as much as possible.

Thanks to Microcrap, now we're all treated like criminals. Here's my take on this BS.

First, I do not pirate, copy or give copies of my software to anyone. However, why do I have to buy individual copies of software for each machine I own in my home? Greed, that's why. Have you ever bought a book you could read only once? Did you ever buy a CD that only could be played in one stereo? Ever buy a hammer at the hardware store and get told that it was only good for remodling a kitchen. If you want to remodel your bathroom, you need to but another hammer. I will admit some of the analogies are a bit of a stretch, but you get the point. Why is it that Apple will allow you to install more than one copy of it's OS on machines you own? Again, the greed factor.

_Scott

I heartily agree that if I have a desktop at my office and one at home as well as a laptop for travel, and I am the only user on each of these machines, there is absolutely no valid reason that I should not be able to use a tool, {software} which I legally bought for my own use, on each of these machines. Your analogies are not that much of a stretch.

Just as you state, neither do I give copies of my software to friends or family, but no one should be able to limit me from using what I legally own on machines that I also legally own and exclusively use.

Taking a stand and vowing to never use MS products again is admirable, however, in the real world it is simply not practical. So we all find the best way to deal with the situation and move forward. However, I did recently have a "battle" with MS over this subject where I decided that they had stepped over the line.

I was in the process of building a new machine and transitioning from old to new. As I installed XP Pro on the new box, of course it asked for activation. The internet connection was made and the activation failed. As is the next step, I called MS and the rep proceeded to inform me that I was only allowed to have XP on a single machine.

I replied that a single machine was all I intended and I was in the process of moving from an old machine to a new one. The rep then told me that I had to uninstall XP from the old machine FIRST, then they would allow me to activate it on the new one, or else I would have to buy another license.

I let them know in no uncertain terms that I obtained this software legally and was using it legally, and that I was not going to uninstall until I had transferred all of my programs & data from the old machine to the new one. I was not going to back up everything to countless CDs or DVDs or even an external HDD just so that I could uninstall first.

Long story short, after about an hour and 3 supervisors, I was finally able to activate the new machine, make my transition and then delete the old machine.

However, it should never have gone that far. I am very happy with the value of MS products, but their tactics do simply go too far at times.

You can't reason with these people, and there's no reason to go through an hour on the phone. Just tell them it is only on one computer and they will give you the code. They will give it to you either way, it's not like you are winning anything when you finally get your way anyway. Believe me, I've done it both ways and it's much quicker just to tell them it's on one computer, whether that is currently true or will be true in an hour or so.

I don't know if they add it to an evil global database each time you activate it but it's not really my problem. If they ever want to fight about it over the phone I'm up for it.

I agree with you, they wanted to charge me an extra 184.00 for an extra activation. I hung up on them, I install the product on my second PC did not enter the PRODUCT and click change key and boom, was able to install successfully.

What do you mean changing is impractical? I've finally got sick and tired of the MS crap with WPA and their attitude ingeneral. It gave me the incentive to learn Linux and I've switched my personal system over with little pain. Tip: If you are being held back due to needing MS Office then take a look at Crossover Office from Codeweavers at http://www.codeweavers.com

I'm no genius, and the fact that I've managed to change to Linux prooves that most anyone can do it. The main problem is that it's so different that you have to actually learn something about it. And people don't want to take that time. But trust me, it's time well spent.

Good books on linux: Running Linux from Oreilly press, and A Practical Guide to Linux by Mark Sobel.

Brian

I went to the web site you listed. Almost NO Windows products can be run on Linux. Am I missing something?

Not trying to be a wiseguy here. It just seems to me that there are native apps for Linux that do the same or better than Windows ones. It looks like that MS did something intentionally to ensure that no MS product could work with Linux after Office 2000.

There are equivalent, generally better products available on Linux. Rather than using CrossoverOffice for MS Office, I'd recommend simply using OpenOffice.org, which is in my honest opinion a far better product (and the price is right, at $0).

As someone who is relatively new to computer technical work I'm going to run the risk of looking stupid. What do I do if I want to try switching to Linux but I am subscribed to an ISP long term contract and they don't have a Linux version availible? What do you do with all that other software sitting on the shelf? Throw it out? Or is there any way to run Windows software reliably or at all in Linux?

There are Windows emulation environments available on Linux. They won't run everything, but a fair number of Windows programs will run stably in some of those Windows emulation environments. Look up information on CrossoverOffice and Wine, for starters.

I disagree with your statement that it's simply not practical to avoid MS products entirely. I can't in my current line of work, but that's only because I support clients with MS products. If I were running a business that wasn't an IT consultancy, chances are very good that I could run the entire business on open source products, including a Linux OS for all computers. In fact, the computer I'm using to post this is running Debian GNU/Linux, and it's my primary workstation.

Of four computers currently at my desk (two servers and two workstations), one of them has Windows on it. The other three run Linux. I never use the Windows machine except when I have to for tasks involving Windows systems that my clients use.

It's not just possible to avoid MS products: it's easy. I find that it's considerably less stressful as well.

I would've just transferred the old HD over to the new machine as slave and told M$ I was upgrading and needed a new activation, with the old hard drive as 'hardware continuity' for the OS license.If they continued to quibble, I'd thank them for helping me move to Linux and sign off.

when I imaged my failing old hard drive (now totally defunct) onto a new hard drive and made the latter my boot drive. However, after the receiving the message about re-activation, it was a single-click business to send information and have my Windows and Office softwares activated. This was quite painless, compared to the troubles of reinstallation that I had to go through for many different programs including Adobe programs.

And.....when you purchase a Dell PC you no longer have access to the operating system. What happens if the PC dies and you want to install what you've already paid for (OS) on another PC?

My understanding is that the Windows XP you receive when you purchase a PC is usually an OEM version. The OEM license states that its for use only on the original PC you bought the OS with. You can upgrade the PC, but if you change the PC (whether it dies, becomes obsolete or whatever) you cannot transfer the license to the new PC. This goes for when you buy a Dell, HP, or even a noname or home made PC with an OEM version of Windows. Its just that Dell have customised their install CD so you can't install it on another PC.

If you buy the full retail version of Windows XP Pro, you can install it on any PC you like, but only one at a time.

So, its not Dells fault at all. In effect all they are doing is making it harder for you to break Microsofts licensing rules.

"The OEM license states that its for use only on the original PC you bought the OS with. You can upgrade the PC, but if you change the PC (whether it dies, becomes obsolete or whatever) you cannot transfer the license to the new PC."

It's worse than that. According to Micro$oft, (and I am a Micro$oft Partner and have spoken to them directly on this issue) you are NOT allowed to significantly upgrade or alter your machine. New hard drives or new motherboards require (according to Micro$oft) a new XP OEM license.

This has come up in the context of repairing machines with defective motherboards (I have a little computer shop). The replacement motherboard has to be the same part, from the same manufacturer, or WPA will fail, and the Phone Activation Service will cut you off without recourse. If you use the exact same part, Windows will require reauthorization on reboot, but will proceed automatically through it.

I'm looking at this right now. I have an eMachines computer in the shop and I cannot find the exact replacement motherboard, not even from eMachines at twice the price. I anticipate another long conversation with the Partner Rep to get them to reauthorize, including the lecture on why they're not required to do so.

This completely and utterly sucks. I am getting to the point where I cannot provide motherboard repairs to customers when the exact replacement part is unavailable.

All so Micro$oft can squeeze a few more shekels out of us peasant.

I am a system builder and have replaced numerous motherboards. I haven't had a problem. It's true
that you can not activate over the internet, but I have not had a problem activating by phone.

You can set off product activation by adding or changing a hard drive, but not always. I have even set it off by installing a new driver for the IDE controllers.

I explain that I have added new hardware or drivers and am always able to get reactivated once I agree that the operating system is only installed on a single PC.

Insane Keyfinder
This is the best product I have found

I have a Dell Laptop, D800.
I copied the CD Key from the license to a file in my private network folder in case I need to rebuild this machine (the sticker is on the bottom; hard to see in the dock).

I've tried Rock XP, Magic Jelly Bean, registry searches, etc. I skipped the install programs; it's useless to wait to install something that I won't use more than once on a machine.

Why are these programs so popular if I have a 100% failure rate on my machine?

I think the whole Microsoft setup is just a rip- off and I do like their products but eventually this silly way of doing business (i.e.;activate, reactivate) will be their undoing. There is no reason on this earth to support the idea that I can have three computers in my own home but a separate copy of XP on each machine. They are costly enough to buy one copy. I guess God help us if Bill should lose a $200 dollar sale to pirates---it is his own fault but I doubt he or the corporation will go hungry.......Could understand a little better if their business were even close to being in jeopardy......Oh well, it will catch up to them--Just look at how Firefox is closing the gap rapidly on IE. HA

Here is an issue for discussion:
The guy in my position before me was rather lax about keeping track of which disks belonged to wich computers, so now I have 100 XP disks (r1 through SP2) and 100 computers with the COA stickers. EVERY time I have re-installed, I have to call MS and go through their useless telephone activation process, have it fail, and explain the situation to the rep..
AAARRRGGGGGGG

If you use the Belarc Advisor on the machines it will let you know what liciences you have on the machines for the software and also the licience keys, including the XP Licience Key. this can be got from http://www.belarc.com/.

I have found this to be extremely useful in a similar situation.

Run Belarc Advisor on each machine to figure out exactly what is running on each machine. With this information, you can make a printout to start the historical records for each machine.

Where I work, there is an annual audit of all software that is on every computer. Having this printout is a good place to start this process. (Just as an aside, knowing that every computer will be checked every year keeps junk programs like AOL (the full version, not AIM), Kazaa, and unauthorized instant messagers off corporate computers because no one wants to get caught!)

Read the restrictions on the use of Belarc Advisor. It is specificly for home computers only and is NOT licensed for use on corporate computers.

The SELL a version for corporations.

I have tested Belarc with brand new systems that I personally built and have installed Windows XP on. It does not come back with the correct key.

However, I have found one that does. ProduKey from http://www.nirsoft.net is free. It works accurately. One caviat though. With brand name computers such as Dell, the key it returns does not necessarily match the one on the box. It does, however, return the correct key for any WinXP install that I have done, and I have done at least 200 different installs, OEM and RETAIL, so apparently Dell is using a single key, for which they have worked out a deal with Microsoft for proper validation.

What Dell does is:
Create an install with a single KEY that is preactivated. The Key is provided in the winnt.sif file in the sysprep directory so the end user is not even prompted for it.

The end user never sees a prompt to enter a CD Key. Nor does the user need to activate.

The Dell XP CD's have the following characteristics:
1. No CD Key is needed to install
2. They do a BIOS Check so that they can only be installed on a DELL Computer.
3. If you reinstall from the CD, you will need to activate. If you try, it will fail and prompt you to re-enter a valid Key. Simply enter the Key from the COA sticker and you can activate.

The implications are profound. This means that as long as you do not reinstall windows on your original Dell hardware, your OEM key will activate on any new motherboard you might install.

Sorry to say, but I tried a Dell reinstallation CD last night on a different make of computer and it installed!

Ok, you need to change the CD key to your own after installation, but again no problem.

CD used was Win XP Home with SP2 dated 2004.

Must admit I was suprised as I thought it wouldn't work, but then you never know until you try.

I have taken a Dell XPCD and installed it on another brand computer, not Dell and used the Dell Key. I bought a newer Gateway laptop (used, no operating system) and installed the Dell XP on it. Everything worked, during activation I used the Dell Product Key, no problem. The only way you can tell it is a Dell version is by some of the Dell branded folders that were installed. The only thing I have found about the Dell XPCD is if it is for a laptop it will only install on a laptop. If it is for a desktop it will only install on a desktop. So I don't doubt what your saying, I just haven't found that to be true for me.

I have clients thst have set up security for the wireless network, then forget what it is.

Anyway to revel what the key is so you can add it to another machine. They have several laptops and don't want to reset it on all of them. (some are with out of the area sales guys that know nothing about computers and need access at night when they return)

Use to be a program called revel keys or something like that, but can't find it any.

Thx

You only have to know which machines use Pro and which use Home, and the right key for the individual computer. Then use the latest (SP2) Home and Pro CD for each as appropriate. The CD key algorithm differs between Home and Pro, but not between service packs.

My copy of Win xp isn't genuie, so I need vaild product key and, or how to remove this genuie icon from my tesk-bar (khd350@gmail.com) Thanks 2-all

navigate to windows\system32 folder and locate
2 files beginning with 'wga'... one is a .dll the other is a .exe and simply delete them or re-
name the files to 'xga' or something. run ms config and uncheck the wga box if it's listed.
reboot the pc and don't visit windows update again!

I went to system32 and i couldn't find the files. If you could help me i would appreciate it.

Folks the Product Key and Product Id are two different things. The Product Id does not contain enough alpha's and characters required for the a Product Key (25 to be exact)

Sooo... to paraphrase- if I've lost my product key for win 2k Pro I might as well throw away my software because there is no way to activate it and only the key which came with my particular copy of win 2k is going to activate it... is this correct???
If so- does anyone know where to get the best deals on win 2k or win XP so my daughter can load I-Tunes for her Ipod?

Only if you have lost the key AND do not have the software installed on a computer are you out of luck. If it is installed, run Belarc Advisor to get the key. If it installed but non bootable use prodkey.
Win 2K does not need activation. If the windows 2k came with your computer look at the sticker on the side of the machine.
WIndows 2K pro sells for $110 - $150 for OEM versions. Win XP Pro is $165-175.

Jellybean works a treat - used it many times. Latest McAfee viruscan 8.5 with spyware module treats it as malware. You can manually add it to an exclusion list in the "unwanted Programs" policy.
The prog ViewKeyXP.exe gave me the wrong key with XP Pro - be careful! - John

I have lost my sleeve with my product key for my Offfice Home and Student 2007. Any ideas?
ka.turner@shaw.ca

i have a windowsXP professional, service pack2, and version 2002 but i lost the product key and licence. please help me......

my window is corrupt and i am in mid way of Windows 2003 server installation.

I have no way to move back and forth.

Need Help!

You forgot to add, If you have your cd, you can look at the i386 folder inside the UNATTEND.TXT file and find your Product Key for XP.

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* MSN Hotmail password,
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Hi,
don't worry, there are many people forget their Windows product key
Manually locating the Windows product key from the registry is nearly impossible due to the fact that it's encrypted.Anyway,you can get your windows product key with Password Genius easily.
Check it out: http://www.password-genius.com/how-to/how-to-recover-my-windows-xp-product-key.html
Hope this can help you.

WHERE CAN I FIND MS OFFICE 2007 PRODUCT KEY. PLS I AM LOST

There are plenty of free product key finders on the net. If you want free, search for magical jelly bean. http://www.windows-product-key.com key finder locates almost a thousand or more applications. It will also allow you to scan non-bootable drives for your windows product key.

i have found al lot 2 that are 100% WORKING
http://allmicrosoftpruductkeys.blinkweb.com

Use magic jelly bean key finder

Check out my blog on instructions

http://www.freepctechtips.com/

I'm very lost and I'm hoping this is a quick answer. lol. I'm studying for my A+, however I'm very new to this field and this is one thing that truly baffles me. Anyone help!!!

Just go get a product key from a site like http://windowsxpproductkey.co nice and free and easy!

Both Magical Jelly Bean and Belarc show the key as five sets of five Bs. Got anything else?

Hey i found this great site offering Windows XP Pro, Sp2, Sp3 Keys, here's the link:

http://windowxp.eu.pn/

All keys working - tested!!

You are a:
Home User
What Product Family do you have a question about?
Windows
Can you classify your question?
Info On WGA
What is the subject of your comment or question?
locating a product key in a now defunkt drive.
Enter your comments in the box below.
Hi - I've addressed this to go to techies, not cus-serv.
I accidentilty wiped out my recovery partition. DOH!
In reinstalling windows I chose to put it on D:
I did this so that I might try to desipher my original prodect key from the now defunkt windows installation on C:
You see the product key sticker is now unreadable. I can't afford to buy a copy of windows.
Please can you help me.
Is there a file I should locate on C:
Wherein my original product key is sitting awaiting my discovery of it?
Thanks very much ahead of time!
Tristan

As far as i know in this moment Find my Windows Key just released its app with compatibility with Windows 8, plus the already supported Xp, Vista and Windows 7. It's at http://www.findmywindowskey.com
I love that app because is free for real, no crap installed, just the app itself that is clean and works fine also on 64 bits and is up to date

Darn I have lost or misplaced my edu win7 Pro key code.
Repaired my laptop and everything is gone .... woo, nice job jug-head.
Still have the cd (win7Pro edu) but MS wants verification again.
What's appropriate behavior now ???
I had the old White Paper on XP key code recovery, packed it around for years, but can't find it, darn.

Product Key Explorer recovers all my software serial numbers, including Adobe Photoshop and more... Perfect Software!

Here is a good article to tell you how to find windows key.

Here is a good article to tell you how to find windows key.

http://www.any-data-rescue.com/resource/find-windows-key.html