I lost my cd key...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gabe
  • Start date Start date
G

Gabe

Well I lost my cd key. And i was wondering how to replace
it. Or if I even need to worry about it. I have windows
XP home edition. If I do need to get a new one where do I
go and how much will it coast?
 
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.

Then find Windows, then Current Version.....When you click on it,
you should look for product id, you key should be there.
 
OOOOPS, here is the rest of the story! Sorry it's so big....that's how I
have it in wordpad...
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!

a.. 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.
 
Gabe said:
Well I lost my cd key. And i was wondering how to replace
it. Or if I even need to worry about it. I have windows
XP home edition. If I do need to get a new one where do I
go and how much will it coast?
Click to expand...

Free utilitys that will recover your 'Product Key'

ViewKeyXP (simplist for task)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

'Belarc Adviser' (worth haveing anyway)
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Aida32 (worth haveing anyway, masses of info about your system)
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32
 
Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer
affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php to find the Product
Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive
image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product Key;
therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not be --
used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the
OS; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of the
Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a
new license.


Bruce Chambers

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