How do you find the CD Key of the Windows CD you have? I have a Windows XP Pro SP2 installation disk but I don't know the CD Key. Can you locate it on the CD? I do not have this installed on any other computers so I can't search the registry for it either. There's a lot of confusion about CD, or more properly "Product Keys", those long strings of numbers and letters you need to type in when you install Microsoft Windows. One source of confusion is where the CD Key comes from. One hint: it's not on the CD. The fact is that for any given version of a Windows CD, the CDs are all the same. The key to unlock the CD is not stored anywhere on the CD. If it were, each CD would have to be slight different, - it's not quite a manufacturing nightmare, but it's at least a bad dream. "You may think you're purchasing a CD, but in fact, it's
more like you're purchasing that product key."
The product key is typically printed on a label on the product packaging containing the CD when you purchase it. If you look closely at several copies of the same product, you'll see that the key is different on each label. You may think you're purchasing a CD, but in fact, it's more like you're purchasing that product key. Any CD will do, but it's your possession of a unique product key that verifies you as having purchased a legitimate copy of the product. A CD without a product key? Without your unique product key? Not worth very much. One of the reasons that the product keys are unique is to prevent piracy. Each person should receive a unique product key, and thus that product key should be used to install on only one, machine. Microsoft is fairly vague on the details of "product activation", but it's likely that one of the things it checks is that the product key you entered is unique, and not already in use by someone else, or on another machine. Now, if you have a legitimate, working installation of Microsoft Windows, you can, in fact, get the product key without the sticker. There's a free tool: KeyFinder, that will report your product keys for Windows, and several other installed programs. So in case you haven't guessed, those product key stickers are valuable, and should be saved. Or at least make sure to save the product key information somewhere. If you ever need to reinstall Windows, you'll need the product key again. I've actually collected all of mine and placed them in a spreadsheet for safekeeping. And, I'm sorry to have to bother most of you with the following, but I know I'll get the questions if I don't:
Related:
Article 9527 | Posted December 15, 2005 |
Stay Informed Archives Advertisers |
•
This does not work!!!!!
Posted by: Robert at January 6, 2008 07:43 PMIt gives you a cd key but it will not proceed get an error.
The Product Id you entered is not valid!
-----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
Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at January 7, 2008 11:15 AMOm1cEu8nYWnE4eiFMUZHs48=
=HoQu
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
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!
Posted by: Brody at January 7, 2008 04:22 PMi hav xp media centre edition..
Posted by: Sidd at January 30, 2008 07:24 PMtried d Unattend file..
d cd key is still said to b invalid..
i hav 15 days left for activation..
help me...
:(
Ok I've got a few original XP's pro/home and their
Posted by: Alan Adshead at March 3, 2008 10:30 AMoriginal 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.
the company has a windows server 2003 standard edition cd (original) .due to the company moved into a bigger building some how they misplaced
Posted by: graeme at March 11, 2008 01:39 AMthe 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.
Wow, I just found your site.
Posted by: Trevor at May 9, 2008 03:13 PMIt'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.
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?
Posted by: a. harrison at August 1, 2008 10:47 PMI 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?
Posted by: Jane at August 15, 2008 09:31 AMThe information worked very well with Window Server 2003. This really exceled my recovery process. Thank you
Posted by: Paul at September 10, 2008 06:31 PM