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Identifying Windows based on Product Key

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11 replies

by wcp

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Is there a way to find what Windows version (Upgrade, OEM, or Retail) is based on Product Key? Sometimes the only way to fix a problem is to reinstall Windows on top of it and customer may have lost or misplaced the CD, manual, and so on. Any ideas?

11 replies

by ann777

On a Win98 computer, the product key can be found in the registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE --> Software --> Microsoft --> Windows --> CurrentVersion

and on the right side look for ProductKey

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A reinstall on top of the current installation will accept the same product key that is already in the registry.

by wcp

My question was to find a Windows version (Upgrade, OEM, or Retail) once I have the Product Key.

by thechas

I suspect as you do, that there must be a way to identify the version of Windows from the product key.

I however have never seen an article on how to do it.

Microsoft Knowledge base article Q158238
Describes how to identify the version from the file dates.

Chas

by wcp

Thanks for your information. But how do I know whether the Windows is Upgrade or Retail full version?

by rcom

Edit the Registry and go to,

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

The Product key and Product ID are listed there.

Write down the key before reinstall.

System properties will show the version and if it's an upgrade and the Product key just below that will say OEM in the numbers. If not it's the full version.

by wcp

It is not clear how you can tell whether it's an upgrade or not. Once it is known as a full version, you can tell whether it is OEM or Retail. Please post more detail.

by rcom

If its an upgrade it will say "UPGRADE" if not its the "FULL" version. Then if OEM is in the number that's an OEM "FULL" version.

by wcp

Please be more specific where I can find "UPGRADE". I have a computer with Windows 98 Upgrade version and I cannot find it in Windows.

by ballkw

Hi,

Check in System Information (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information). The first line details the operation system install and tells you if it was a clean install using an oem or upgrade version. (-:

by wcp

It is easy to tell whether the Windows version is OEM or not. But how do you know whether the version is Upgrade or Full Retail?
Definitely, you need either Product Key or Product ID.
Is there anybody out there beside Microsoft to analyze them and tell what Windows version is?

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