where in the registry does the cd key code reside

I don't think that information is stored inside the registry for security reasons.

I stand corrected... :)

FINDING LOST CD KEYS IN YOUR REGISTRY  
http://www.internetguideandmore.com/finding_lost_cd_keys_in_your_reg.htm

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.internetguideandmore.com/finding_lost_cd_keys_in_your_reg.htm


**********************************************

roduct key from DOS


      Try this link:

   http://www.dougknox.com/utility/scripts_desc/cdkey_dos.htm

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-XXXXX where the X's are your actual CD Key.

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 advisor.  It will give all that you want.

With this tool you can extract every CD Key for Windows XP, Office etc.
http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php

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/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe

HI,

 You can found the CD key of OS in Registry

1. Type the regedit in the run.
2. Under Regestry  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
                            SOFTWARE
                            MICROSOFT
                            WINDOWS
                            CURRENT VERSION

  in that find  productkey

you can use some software such as ViewKey which can be downloaded from here
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.zip

Why do people continue to post when this question has been accepted already?

ksmj, ViewKey was already suggested by sramesh2k.

Mike

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.

If Windows XP is OEM installed when a PC is purchased, the Product ID shown in the registry is the one used by the PC manufacturer during install, not your own key. That should be on a label on the PC.

FYI, if you have an OEM version of software, Microsoft WILL NOT support it. You will be SOL. Further, many OEM computer manufacturers will not replace OS CD Keys 30 days after purchase. Dell included unless you are a huge stinking large business contract, then everything changes ;-)

I appreciate the link provided 2 replies back.  I didn't catch the link provided by anyone else before that link. I appreicate the link provided by ksmj.

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 ?

Yes, that's right. instead of paying $500 CDN for XP Pro or $300 CDN for XP home, you pay about $279/$145. In return for the discount you and the OEM mnufacturer are egtting, MS doesn't provide support.

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

in win xp pro,

 u can find the plain text product key in documents and settings/user folder.  there edit ur ntuser.dat file and u can find the product key.u cant view ur current ntuser.dat but can edit other users ntuser.dat file to c the product key.

dudecybetron: No, the ntuser.dat file does not contain the product key.  Just to verify, I opened it up in both a text editor and a hex editor.  No sign of the product key from this machine.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion


in that check out product key

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?

You'll find that's the case on most major OEM's anymore.  They use one key for ALL installations across a specific model, then stick a unique COA (sometimes) on the outside of the machine.  On the plus side, they're technically giving you two PK's, though legally you still only have one licence.

So I gather that the supportless OS includes security patch downloads from Microsoft.  I have run into this on XP Pro [a formerly ME system with OS & CPU upgraded through a local computer store] receiving a message along the lines that the product id is invalid.

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.

Qualserve i have aida32 and i can see that it shows windows2000 key, but where and how can i see my office2000 key with this excellant software ?

tia

ALL,
Just a small observation....it's heartlifting to see that the spirit of altruism lives on, even after the answer has been chosen. I've learnt a few little gems in the resulting postings. Nice one people!!
John

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/office/trialkey

dev

Another suggestion for those who already have this.
Norton System Works will give you this information in its System Info tool. The CD key for any Windows version (Including NT, 2000 and 2003AS).

Q2

And your right.... there are some great people on this site. I always get excellent help.

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/downloadget.php?id=181&file=11&evp=e292483f0de3e518ff57fb57cf6eb944

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.michaelstevenstech.com/keyfinder.exe

Can you please close the question...

THX

First of all if you are using windows xp the key code is stored here :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId

As you notice it is encrypted in the DigitalProductId

Here is a PAQ regarding that ( which is btw very useful ) :

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21236913/Retrieve-XP-CD-Key.html

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.Shell")
   
    bDigitalProductID = objShell.RegRead("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId")

    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.FileSystemObject")
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:\XP_Serial_Key.txt")

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\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

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("WScript.Shell")
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
pk = WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\productkey")
pkf = fso.GetSpecialFolder(2) & "\pk.txt"
Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(pkf,True)
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 :)