windows install key help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gabriel Knight
  • Start date Start date
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Gabriel Knight

Hi all

Im going to reinstall windows xp on a pc that already has windows xp on it I
dont have the key for it or sticker is there a program or setting that will
tell me the current key on the pc? if so what is its name and if possable is
there a free version of it for me?

Thanks all
GK
 
Gabriel Knight said:
Sorry all I used google and found 13 to try
Click to expand...

Right, the product key is somewhere in the registry.

Also... If activation is very problematic (as it is when making
and using backup copies of Windows), if you look hard enough you
can find a workaround for activation.
 
Gabriel said:
Sorry all I used google and found 13 to try

GK
Click to expand...

Just remember that the key you find in the registry using a program like
"siw.exe" (freeware) is tied to the "version" of windows that was used to
install it.

An example is a OEM version, of the Windows key found in a registry,
normally can not be used to register a new install of a retail version of
Windows. Other combinations do not usually work as well, like the existing
version was Windows Home Edition and the new CD is Windows Pro Edition and
so on.
 
Gabriel said:
Sorry all I used google and found 13 to try

GK
Click to expand...


Just remember that the key you find in the registry using a program like
"siw.exe" (freeware) is tied to the "version" of windows that was used to
install it.

An example is a OEM version, of the Windows key found in a registry,
normally can not be used to register a new install of a retail version of
Windows. Other combinations do not usually work as well, like the existing
version was Windows Home Edition and the new CD is Windows Pro Edition and
so on.
 
Thanks all I used peters link it worked fine I wonder why the first one I
used didnt work?

Thanks again to all
GK.
 
Gabriel Knight said:
Hi all

Im going to reinstall windows xp on a pc that already has windows xp on it
I dont have the key for it or sticker is there a program or setting that
will tell me the current key on the pc? if so what is its name and if
possable is there a free version of it for me?

Thanks all
GK
Click to expand...

www.belarc.com will tell you all your windows keys incl office etc
 
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