Greetings, rich9060!
CD Key Finder: Magical Jellybean
http://www.magicaljellybea
Best wishes, war1
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Question
where in the registry does the cd key code reside
I just want to confirm the windows license code in the registry . i have checked in the local
machine/ microsoft/windowsnt and found the oem number and user and other info but
not the cd key number
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Answers
FINDING LOST CD KEYS IN YOUR REGISTRY
http://www.internetguidean
You can find your lost cd key from your own registry with the steps below:
(This procedure does not work for any version of Windows past Windows Me, Microsoft got more secretive with your software, one more time.)
Make the CD code to unlock software reappear. (Here's the article verbatim) You just think you lost that CD key code, which is imprinted on the software's box or in the documentation and permits you to reinstall the program.
You won't have to call a support line and wait hours for a tech to regurgitate that lost code for you, it's not really lost. Windows saved it in a cubbyhole called the Registry.
Don't play around while you go through these steps, though. Deleting some Registry files can cause massive headaches.
And it's always best to follow your manual's instructions and back up the registry before starting.
Here's the procedure:
· Launch REGEDIT by selecting Start/Run, typing REGEDIT in the text box and pressing Enter.
· Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, click on the + and scroll down to Software.
· Find the Microsoft listing click on it, and look for the directory that contains software you need to reinstall.
· Double-click the Product ID listing and select the middle two number strings. For example, in the string 53491-460-1656111-49145, you'd select 460-1656111. (for Office 97) One more thing, add a 1 to the first 3 numbers, 4601-1656111, as the product ID has 11 numbers. Hope this works for you!
· To find the Windows CD Key: find Windows, click the "current version" with the + sign, don't click the +sign, click on the words "current version". The product ID and the product key will appear. It's all the numbers and letters that you see.
· Highlight, Press Control C to copy the CD key to the clipboard, then paste it someplace where you can reuse it. Some experts advise compiling all your keys to a text document, then printing it out for safekeeping.
Attention! I cannot give you cd keys to your programs. It is illegal for me to do so. If you have lost the product ID, cd key, you will need to find it another way. Sorry I can't be of more help. I have contacted Microsoft for some of my clients who have lost their cd keys, or were never given them at the store and they have been very kind. Usually with a proof of purchase, you can get some information from the manufacturer. And if your cd key does not work on your installation, you can also call for free technical help from many manufacturers. Hope this is helpful. Hang onto those product IDs!
http://www.internetguidean
**************************
roduct key from DOS
Try this link:
http://www.dougknox.com/ut
Finding the CD (Product) Key from DOS
If you can't boot into Windows at all, then you can boot with a Startup Disk (CD support is not required) or into Command Mode Only and type the following command:
For 95:
C:\Windows\Command\Find /I "ProductId" c:\windows\system.dat
For 98/Me:
C:\Windows\Command\Find /I "ProductKey" C:\Windows\System.dat
The first line of the screen dump will look like this:
ProductKey XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XX
NOTE: This will not work in Windows XP
This page last updated 05/03/2003 19:41
All material © Doug Knox
See also http://www.belarc.com for their free-for-noncommerical-use
With this tool you can extract every CD Key for Windows XP, Office etc.
http://www.aida32.hu/aida3
It's the best tool you can get.
Cheers!
Mike
In Windows XP, the product key stored in DigitalProductID Registry key. But, it is no longer available as clear text in registry. You need a software to view the key:
http://www.webtree.ca/wind
you can use some software such as ViewKey which can be downloaded from here
http://www.michaelstevenst
well, din notice his link on it. Just another suggestion in case anyone else who might need it in the future, not necessarily answering yours. This can be helpful if the some other links is dead etc in the future.
that shouldn't be a crime or anything wrong to post suggestions to share it with the rest of the community, i assume so. After all, we can learn quite a few things from different suggestions.
That's an incredible suggestion about Microsoft not supporting OEM installations if I read it right... You mean you buy a computer with XP (say) installed (part of the reason you bought it at that price) and then Microsoft will not give you the support they'd give people who bought the software seperately ?
I have no problems with supportless OEM software products.
It's not that often that you actually need support from MS. So on those rare occasions that you need help with your OEM version, pay for some support. As long as the bill comes to $221/$155 or less (based on the above prices), then you're okay. Plus, you've put a few bucks into some local kid's pocket instead of Mr. Bill's. Nothing wrong with that, and no one is really getting ripped off, are they?
As for Dell, the one time that I required OS support, some guy helped me completely solve my OS problems no questions asked, and that was well over a year after I bought my pc.
wileedingo
As has been pointed out, the product key can only be gotten from the registry for windows ME and earlier. For 2000, NT4, and XP you must use one of the key finding programs listed above. In particular, the Belarc product suggested by xz4gb8 is excellent.
Oddly enough, I tried three of the programs and they all agreed with each other on the product key, but not with the sticker on the outside of the box (it's an OEM installation on a Dell). Wonder what's up with that? Could a copy of XP Pro have two (or more) product keys which work?
Product ID and CD key are 2 different things. Non-OEM and non-SA (Software Assurance) product keys will generate a product ID that requires activation by Microsoft, which essentially validates the product for use on the hardware it's on at the time. If you have XP that required activation, and change a few pieces of hardware, you have to get a new activation code from M$.
I buy nothing but OEM Windows software. lynx20: It is fully supported for security updates and Service packs. Your local computer store has messed up during the upgrade. The "support" you don't get is answers to your questions regarding installation, problems after installation and such. Getting a new activation code has also never been a problem when I have updated/changed hardware, it is a matter of a 10 minute Toll Free phone call.
Also, AIDA32 in no longer available from the company web site. Hopefully, someone can provide you this excellent program. It reads the key for both versions of XP, Win 2003, and all versions of Microsoft Office., as does the Jelly Bean program which is linked in a previous response.
To get a product key of office 2000
just logon to this url and
register some information and you can get the product id
http://www.microsoft.com/o
dev
Belarc Advisor - shows everything you wanted to ask about your computer, but didn't know where to type in the request...(grin)
www.belarc.com free for personal use. Has pulled my butt out of the wringer many times...
The AIDA32 is available here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/
Instaed of wading through the registry the far simpler way to get your Product Key is
Right click My Computer
Click properties
Under Registered To will be name, company, then product key like this
Registered To:
Tom
TechToast
55274-640-7593542-23100
And just for information, if the 2nd string of digits is 640, then your copy of XP is most likely to be legal.
For XP SP2 ViewKeyXP no longer works. MichaelStevensTech.com has a new Keyfinder for SP2.
http://www.michaelstevenst
First of all if you are using windows xp the key code is stored here :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
As you notice it is encrypted in the DigitalProductId
Here is a PAQ regarding that ( which is btw very useful ) :
http://www.experts-exchang
And I asked a question on how to do this via vbscript and the script is below ( With some additions ) :
'-------------------------
Public Function sGetXPCDKey()
Dim bDigitalProductID
Dim bProductKey()
Dim bKeyChars(24)
Dim ilByte
Dim nCur
Dim sCDKey
Dim ilKeyByte
Dim ilBit
ReDim Preserve bProductKey(14)
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shel
bDigitalProductID = objShell.RegRead("HKEY_LOC
Set objShell = Nothing
For ilByte = 52 To 66
bProductKey(ilByte - 52) = bDigitalProductID(ilByte)
Next
'Possible characters in the CD Key:
bKeyChars(0) = Asc("B")
bKeyChars(1) = Asc("C")
bKeyChars(2) = Asc("D")
bKeyChars(3) = Asc("F")
bKeyChars(4) = Asc("G")
bKeyChars(5) = Asc("H")
bKeyChars(6) = Asc("J")
bKeyChars(7) = Asc("K")
bKeyChars(8) = Asc("M")
bKeyChars(9) = Asc("P")
bKeyChars(10) = Asc("Q")
bKeyChars(11) = Asc("R")
bKeyChars(12) = Asc("T")
bKeyChars(13) = Asc("V")
bKeyChars(14) = Asc("W")
bKeyChars(15) = Asc("X")
bKeyChars(16) = Asc("Y")
bKeyChars(17) = Asc("2")
bKeyChars(18) = Asc("3")
bKeyChars(19) = Asc("4")
bKeyChars(20) = Asc("6")
bKeyChars(21) = Asc("7")
bKeyChars(22) = Asc("8")
bKeyChars(23) = Asc("9")
For ilByte = 24 To 0 Step -1
nCur = 0
For ilKeyByte = 14 To 0 Step -1
'Step through each byte in the Product Key
nCur = nCur * 256 Xor bProductKey(ilKeyByte)
bProductKey(ilKeyByte) = Int(nCur / 24)
nCur = nCur Mod 24
Next
sCDKey = Chr(bKeyChars(nCur)) & sCDKey
If ilByte Mod 5 = 0 And ilByte <> 0 Then sCDKey = "-" & sCDKey
Next
sGetXPCDKey = sCDKey
End Function
Public Function Question()
Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.Fi
Dim Ans
Ans = MsgBox("Yes = Write Windows XP Serial key to the C Drive and No = Prompt with Serial key",4)
If Ans = vbYes then
Set oOutFile = objFSO.CreateTextFile("c:\
oOutFile.WriteLine sGetXPCDKey
else
wscript.echo sGetXPCDKey
End If
End Function
call Question
'-------------------------
Hopefully this helps and also straightens some things out, with regards to windows 9X ie windows 98 , windows millenium etc the registry key here :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
Would be correct but since it is windows xp it works differently :)
I also have a vbscript to get the windows 9X code which is below :
'-------------------------
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScr
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.Fi
pk = WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\sof
pkf = fso.GetSpecialFolder(2) & "\pk.txt"
Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(pkf,Tru
f.WriteLine(pk)
f.Close
AskPrt = MsgBox("Product Key is " & pk & vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "Do you want to print it?",36)
If AskPrt = 6 Then WshShell.Run "notepad /p " & pkf,2,1
fso.DeleteFile(pkf)
'-------------------------
Sorry for the long post but just wanted to make this a useful PAQ :)
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by: pr0m3th1usPosted on 2003-12-22 at 12:08:58ID: 9987136
I don't think that information is stored inside the registry for security reasons.