Comments for How do I find the Windows CD Key from the CD?

Comment from william on 2008-11-20

2008-11-21T02:59:28Z

Will you be able to install the cd with that key (i386/unattend.txt)and then change the key to the key that is posted on the sticker from the side of the computer? Can you install with the key inside the cd?

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Comment from Layla on 2008-11-20

2008-11-20T14:17:53Z

I have just had my hard drive corrupt on me. So i got a new hard drive and obviously had to install windows again! I had windows XP on my laptop but i dont have the activation code sticker on the back of my laptop! please help!

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Comment from Eric Jones on 2008-10-25

2008-10-25T12:26:12Z

I would like to know how many times they allow an activation with a keycode before they require you to buy another?

Thank You

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Comment from larry on 2008-10-22

2008-10-23T05:29:38Z

i formatted hard drive once a year and reinstalled windows-- to clean out the computer. had some trouble getting it to accept the serial key number. now it will not accept it at all no matter how many times i enter it

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Comment from Graham on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T20:30:50Z

You are wrong, the CD key is stored on windows XP cd's I'm pretty sure with vista as well. I'd have to look up the exact file location, but the CD key is in a text file named UNATTEND, It's either the first or the last thing in the file.

Yep, there's a product key in \I386\unattend.txt and it's the same on all CDs for a specific version or CD-pressing run. It is NOT the same as the key on the outside of the box, and it is not a valid key for you to use on subsequent installations. Since it's not unique I'm guessing that if you attempt to use it activation will probably fail.

- Leo
09-Oct-2008

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Comment from Paul on 2008-09-10

2008-09-11T01:31:39Z

The information worked very well with Window Server 2003. This really exceled my recovery process. Thank you

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Comment from Jane on 2008-08-15

2008-08-15T16:31:14Z

I want to reformat a computer an old computer for my young son to use. I have a Windows 98 disk with no key code and a Windows xp Upgrade with a key code. the Win 98 has not been install on a computer. Can I reinstall with the XP or do I need start with the 98?

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Comment from a. harrison on 2008-08-01

2008-08-02T05:47:03Z

I tried the answer directions for the "finding the key code from the disk" I'm not computer literate really but when I put the disk into the hard drive, (didnt say win xp drive) but none of the things you listed came up when I hit explore. Is there another way to get code from disk thats not the one installed w/system?

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Comment from Trevor on 2008-05-09

2008-05-09T22:13:49Z

Wow, I just found your site.
It's amazing!
I know this won't help someone who's lost their CD key.
The first thing I do when I open a CD is use a marker to write the CD key on the printed side of the CD.
That way I can't lose it.

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Comment from graeme on 2008-03-11

2008-03-11T08:39:33Z

the company has a windows server 2003 standard edition cd (original) .due to the company moved into a bigger building some how they misplaced
the product key,normally its on the side of the pc but no,not there.the server needs tobe installed but when I get to part where it asks me for a product key it ,no clue on what to do ,can i phone microsoft or is there another way.please help ps!! don't think the company will purchace another cd.

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Comment from Alan Adshead on 2008-03-03

2008-03-03T18:30:10Z

Ok I've got a few original XP's pro/home and their
original product key stickers, however the keys are NOT the same as those found in the " Unattend"
files!Now why is that?I've not tried to use the "Unattended" keys to install XP as yet but will do just to see if it works.

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Comment from Sidd on 2008-01-30

2008-01-31T03:24:18Z

i hav xp media centre edition..
tried d Unattend file..
d cd key is still said to b invalid..
i hav 15 days left for activation..
help me...
:(

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Comment from Brody on 2008-01-07

2008-01-08T00:22:21Z

Omg thank you sooo much i didn't have the cd key for my windows xp media center cd, but using the "Unattend" system i got it thanks a million!

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2008-01-07

2008-01-07T19:15:10Z

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

You have to use the CD Key on the same product. CD Keys for
one product or version of a product will not work with
others.

Leo

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFHgnpNCMEe9B/8oqERAtfoAJ44eijYMSg2Pccd5OULvNhV/mfVxACfcDtu
Om1cEu8nYWnE4eiFMUZHs48=
=HoQu
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Comment from Robert on 2008-01-06

2008-01-07T03:43:38Z

This does not work!!!!!
It gives you a cd key but it will not proceed get an error.
The Product Id you entered is not valid!

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Comment from Bowlday (IT Pro) Network Spec. on 2007-12-18

2007-12-19T05:08:25Z

Yes, you can get the product key from a windows xp home cd.
How do u think it states the correct key with cd without being online. Leo do you work for MS. Or just didnt know??

Find Windows XP Product Key from the Windows XP CD:

1) Insert Windows XP cd into a working computer.
2) Exit the Autorun introduction.
3) Open "My Computer"
4) Right Click on the Windows XP cd-rom drive and select explore.
5) Open the USWXP32P_ZX folder.
6) Open the sysprep folder.
7) Open unattend.txt

Your CD's product key is contained within the unattend.txt file.

Note: On some system disks, USWXP32P_ZX is a hidden folder..

This is MS OS 101 and perfectly legal

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Comment from christina on 2007-08-09

2007-08-09T20:04:12Z

i have 2 unattends in my search mode cd. 1 has only 4 categories, while the other has all 5 categories. but the 5 category characters will not work.

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-05-12

2007-05-13T00:32:29Z

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

It's *a* product key, but it's not the product key on the outside of the box.

My expectation is that this is a placeholder that's meant to be replaced with
your real product key if setting up an unattended installation. I'll bet that
if you use it, your Windows won't activate.

FWIW I found it in \i386\unattend.txt.

Leo
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFGRlyTCMEe9B/8oqERAnIxAJsFatuuh9zpQxVFZS6ONqJEQ+sqkQCcDbXY
MYzCWoBW36S7Kc8Z64vjVaE=
=ipGj
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Comment from Rob on 2007-05-11

2007-05-12T01:48:37Z

You can find the XP Key on the CD and it is very easy to do.Put the XP CD in your Drive and right click explore.Now click on search and type in Unattend. When search finds this file on your CD, open it with NotePad and scroll down to the bottom, and there in all it's Glory will be your XP CD KEY.

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2007-03-03

2007-03-03T17:53:57Z

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

There are two things that validate keys:

1) they are not just a random string. There's an algorithm that
determines what is and is not a valid key. So you can't just enter a
random string of characters and have it work. Only actual, valid keys
will work.

2) activation. Normally you activate over the internet, and that double
checks whether the key has been used previously. If you're not connected
to the internet, I believe phone activation is required and would do the
same thing.

Leo
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFF6bZfCMEe9B/8oqERAhjCAJ9v+KENW2rt/slww/7h31ZiLgVWxgCfcjQ+
jSNwUcu+C1VyPJYS4coticM=
=19jV
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Comment from Kerrie on 2007-03-01

2007-03-01T18:36:18Z

How does the computer your are installing on, know if the key was used on another computer?

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Comment from Kerrie on 2007-03-01

2007-03-01T18:29:09Z

I understand why the product key is not on the CD. And I understand that you are basically purchasing the product key. But.. how does the computer know you are using a unique key? I'm not connected to the internet.

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Comment from ghghgh on 2007-02-22

2007-02-22T13:18:43Z

search unattended in the search facillity and search the disk. it should be a txt file and its in ther

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Comment from LE HONG QUAN on 2007-01-09

2007-01-10T04:40:29Z

how to setup windows Xp SP2,without insert cdkey during setup.(it auto insert cdkey during setup).

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Comment from John Walker on 2007-01-02

2007-01-02T13:54:20Z

HELP! I Dont Have A Startup Disk And There Is No Immage On My Hard Disk They Want 30 Dollers, I ant Got The Money What Do I Do?

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Comment from sandesh on 2006-12-26

2006-12-27T05:48:32Z

i have windows vista cd but i dont have cd key

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Comment from umar on 2006-12-20

2006-12-20T16:16:47Z

i have original windows xp CD but i have lost my paper where key for hat i cannot install my xp again because i have format my xp and install from pireted xp but from that i cannot upgrate my system

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2006-12-07

2006-12-08T02:11:38Z

Any SP2 XP Home CD will work fine.

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Comment from Nigel on 2006-12-07

2006-12-07T15:17:18Z

im preparing to reinstall windows xp sp2 home edition...i have a genuine installation key but i cant find my cd...would it make a difference if i used another windows xp sp2 home edition cd to install it as long as i have my original key???

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Comment from Laura M Bernard on 2006-11-15

2006-11-15T11:19:19Z

where do i find my product key on the cd... i wiped the hard drive thinking the product key that i had was for this system... but it wasn't. I only have the cd, oh where do i find the product key on this cd?

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Comment from khalith ali on 2006-09-20

2006-09-20T14:35:52Z

I have a windows xp cd service pack 2 but i lost my
windows cd key so could you help me to find the windows cd key from the cd please help me.

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Comment from sam on 2006-09-15

2006-09-15T14:16:21Z

I have windows vista and XP SP 2 on c.d how do i find producy key from c.d?

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Comment from ashish on 2006-09-12

2006-09-12T15:26:37Z

i lost my windows xp cd key without even use it. pls give me an idea how it get it.
thnx

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Comment from Roger on 2006-09-08

2006-09-09T05:16:32Z

I have a windows 2000 pro CD and I believe the correct product key. When I try to install on a new hard drive (fried the last one), it gets so far and then I get this.

The operating system CD that you are attempting to install was not distributed with this computer. Setup cannot continue.

What is happening?

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Comment from Don on 2006-09-06

2006-09-06T14:08:59Z

I bought XP Pro, my autistic daughter lost my COA, got another key from MS but it will not install the OS. What is my next step? Is there a 'generic' install key that I can use then use a key changer to load the legal numbers? Being legal is SUCH a b!t@h..... Thanx for your help!

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2006-08-08

2006-08-08T16:12:08Z

You'll need to purchase a key, or a CD with a key.

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Comment from martin on 2006-08-07

2006-08-07T16:33:41Z

i have installable cd for windows xp home edison but i dont have cdkey how can i start windows

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Comment from ryan on 2006-08-01

2006-08-01T21:13:00Z

i have my windows xp professional genuine install cd but i cant finish the install.the key that i have will not work it keeps saying invaild key. if you have a key that will work for this .that you can give me that would be great.......... thanks for the help...... just email me and just let me know b/c microsoft will not help me ...... thanks again email is ryan_504_2002@yahoo.com........... thanks ryan

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Comment from kuldeep on 2006-07-19

2006-07-20T02:32:28Z

Hello,

I have installable CD for windows xp pro but I dont have CD Key, how can I setup windows.

I tried with keyfinder but it works on PC not on CD.

Please help.

Kuldeep

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Comment from Leo on 2006-05-23

2006-05-24T03:49:32Z

Thanks for letting me know. I've contacted keyrecover.com.

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Comment from En-Cu-Kou on 2006-05-23

2006-05-24T03:09:27Z

Hello
I visited the site mentioned above (keyrecover.com), and found out they have a copy of this article in their Resources section -- except the link to the free KeyFinder is simply changed to one for their non-free KeyRecover! If that's not a crime in America, it's at least beyond rude.
No comment about the implications about the trustworthiness of KeyRecover corp.

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Comment from Russell Taylor on 2006-05-15

2006-05-15T19:14:08Z

There is a program that will find your product key for you. it works with microsoft windows and office. you can view or change your keys with it.
www.keyrecover.com

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Comment from denis lyrette on 2006-03-14

2006-03-15T02:51:29Z

hey hey
i have a problem i started to install windows me and it asked me to put in the cd key but i dont have it does anyone have a working cd key go give me please
thank you
denis

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Comment from Leo on 2006-02-19

2006-02-19T19:33:43Z

Please read the article you just commented on. It explicitly answers that question.

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Comment from the guy on 2006-02-19

2006-02-19T13:30:14Z

i have a xp pro cd but how do i get the cd key off it ?

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Comment from miki on 2006-02-07

2006-02-07T14:04:27Z

i do not have a win xp cd , it war pre instal on my computer when i bought it.where can i get it from .i want to make sytem genoprettelse,i dont know the english word for it

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