Re: Lost Product Key

Jim wrote:
> I have lost the original CD sleve and do not have the product key. Is there a
> way to get the number from somewhere or someone?


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." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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...B;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; 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

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:uiEIwd$AGHA.740@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Jim wrote:
>> I have lost the original CD sleve and do not have the product key. Is
>> there a way to get the number from somewhere or someone?
>
>
> 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." It is not on the installation CD
> in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
> Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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...B;en-us;326246
>
> If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
> manufacturer; 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.
>
>

Always, always, always write the serial number or product key on the CD!
Without the serial number the disk is a coaster(or almost). This goes for
any CD with a serial number.

Richard Kistler wrote:
> "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
> news:uiEIwd$AGHA.740@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Jim wrote:
>>> I have lost the original CD sleve and do not have the product key. Is
>>> there a way to get the number from somewhere or someone?
>>
>> 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." It is not on the installation CD
>> in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
>> Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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...B;en-us;326246
>>
>> If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
>> manufacturer; 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.
>>
>>
>
> Always, always, always write the serial number or product key on the CD!
> Without the serial number the disk is a coaster(or almost). This goes for
> any CD with a serial number.
>
>
>
I have a product key question! I ran Belarc advisor and the key
revealed is different than the one on my CD Sleeve. I just formated my
HD a few weeks ago, and I know I used the CD install number. Why are the
two 25 character keys different.

DrJoel wrote:

> I have a product key question! I ran Belarc advisor and the key
> revealed is different than the one on my CD Sleeve. I just formated my
> HD a few weeks ago, and I know I used the CD install number. Why are the
> two 25 character keys different.


That's a bit of a puzzle. The only time when this difference in
Product Keys would be expected is when you've a factory installed OS.
In this case, the Product Key revealed would be that of the hard drive
image used at the factory during the assembly process, and no the Key
affixed to the side of the PC.

I'm afraid I've no ready answer, unless perhaps Belarc is somehow
misreading something. You might try using one of the other Product Key
utilities, such as RockXP to see if it agrees with Belarc.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH