How to determine what retail version of windows is installed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ndog37
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ndog37

Before you all type Click Start | Run | type "Winver" Or right click
My Computer then Properties read this first!

I need to know which program will tell me what retail version is
installed: ie XP Home OEM, XP Home Retail, XP Home Corporate etc

Thanks!
 
ndog37 said:
Before you all type Click Start | Run | type "Winver" Or right click
My Computer then Properties read this first!

I need to know which program will tell me what retail version is
installed: ie XP Home OEM, XP Home Retail, XP Home Corporate etc
Click to expand...

Right-click on My Computer and choose properties...
OR
Control Panel --> System

Under the General Tab there should be a Producy ID #...
#####-###-#######-#####

What are the second set of numbers - the 3 digits?
 
I have a clients computer with a hosed OS. I am trying to reinstall
Windows XP home and start from scratch. I have no idea if this
installation was a legitimate licensed installation of Windows XP but
I'm assuming it it is. They had no Win XP CD and no product key. I was
able to get the product key with the Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder
software I downloaded before I reformatted the the drive.

I thought I could reinstall windows with an OEM Win XP Home cd I have
and use the product key which was previosly installed on the computer.
When I try this I get an error during instalation saying the the
product id is not valid. I do not know if this is because the key is
for a different version Win XP Home (like and upgrade version or
something).

If my client does own a legitimate copy of xp I don't want them to
have to pay for another one. I'd like to figure out what cd I need to
install XP with the key that was on there before.

Is there a way to tell what version of Win XP Home this key is for (ie
xp home oem, upgrade, full, etc.) so I know which disk I need to
reinstall.

Is there a way to verify that the key I have is legitimate and legal?
 
Before you all type Click Start | Run | type "Winver" Or right click
My Computer then Properties read this first!

I need to know which program will tell me what retail version is
installed: ie XP Home OEM, XP Home Retail, XP Home Corporate etc

Thanks!
Click to expand...
=================

Mine shows in System Properties.

Click: Start | settings |control panel | system

Jack

--
 
ndog37 said:
I have a clients computer with a hosed OS. I am trying to reinstall
Windows XP home and start from scratch. I have no idea if this
installation was a legitimate licensed installation of Windows XP
but I'm assuming it it is. They had no Win XP CD and no product
key. I was able to get the product key with the Magic Jelly Bean
Keyfinder software I downloaded before I reformatted the the drive.

I thought I could reinstall windows with an OEM Win XP Home cd I
have and use the product key which was previosly installed on the
computer. When I try this I get an error during instalation saying
the the product id is not valid. I do not know if this is because
the key is for a different version Win XP Home (like and upgrade
version or something).
Click to expand...

It is. Although not definitive against OEM - as it could be one that only
works with the modified OEM from the manufacturer.
If my client does own a legitimate copy of xp I don't want them to
have to pay for another one. I'd like to figure out what cd I need
to install XP with the key that was on there before.

Is there a way to tell what version of Win XP Home this key is for
(ie xp home oem, upgrade, full, etc.) so I know which disk I need to
reinstall.
Click to expand...

The product key itself - not that I KNOW of.
Is there a way to verify that the key I have is legitimate and
legal?
Click to expand...

No - not without installing it first really.

So no sticker on the machine?
What type of machine is it?

Have you just *asked* the client?
After all - if they bought it - they might at least remember where they
bought it/etc.
 
Belarc Advisor will tell you which Windows you have by name and build. It
will list all of the Updates to Windows you have installed. Also, it will
give you the ProductKey AND a whole bunch of other information about the
hardware and software on your computer.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
 
Before you all type Click Start | Run | type "Winver" Or right click
My Computer then Properties read this first!

I need to know which program will tell me what retail version is
installed: ie XP Home OEM, XP Home Retail, XP Home Corporate etc

Thanks!
Click to expand...


No program is necessary for that. Simply Right-click My Computer,
select Properties, and, on the General Tab, read the Product ID. If it
doesn't include the letters "OEM," then it's a retail license. If it
does include the letters "OEM," then it's an OEM license. There is no
such thing as "XP Home Corporate," so that doesn't enter into the equation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
I have a clients computer with a hosed OS. I am trying to reinstall
Windows XP home and start from scratch. I have no idea if this
installation was a legitimate licensed installation of Windows XP but
I'm assuming it it is. They had no Win XP CD and no product key.
Click to expand...


Then why would you think it's a legitimate license?

I was
able to get the product key with the Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder
software I downloaded before I reformatted the the drive.
Click to expand...


Why did you destroy any chance you'd have had to answer your own question?

I thought I could reinstall windows with an OEM Win XP Home cd I have
and use the product key which was previosly installed on the computer.
When I try this I get an error during instalation saying the the
product id is not valid. I do not know if this is because the key is
for a different version Win XP Home (like and upgrade version or
something).
Click to expand...


Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license
(OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD, and
vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

If my client does own a legitimate copy of xp I don't want them to
have to pay for another one. I'd like to figure out what cd I need to
install XP with the key that was on there before.

Is there a way to tell what version of Win XP Home this key is for (ie
xp home oem, upgrade, full, etc.) so I know which disk I need to
reinstall.
Click to expand...

Perhaps Microsoft can tell you.
Is there a way to verify that the key I have is legitimate and legal?
Click to expand...

No, not after you've formatted the hard drive.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
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