Summary: We'll look at where to find your Windows CD Key.
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.
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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.
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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 slightly different - it's not quite a manufacturing nightmare, but it's at least a bad dream.
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:
- I cannot retrieve your product key for you.
- I cannot activate a product for you.
- I cannot give you a product key or activation code for any product.
Related:
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How can I find the XP installation CD key used on my system without having the CD? There are freeware utilities that will find the installation CD key used on your system for you if you do not have the CD.
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I don't have an installation CD for Windows XP - what if I need one? At some point you'll need your Windows installation CD. If you don't have one, you could be out of luck. Be sure to get one and keep it safe.
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How can I get another activation code without paying for another CD? If you lose your activation code you may get help from the product manufacturer if you can prove you have a legitimate copy. That may not be easy.
Article C2490 - December 15, 2005
Hi Leo,
does this mean that i can use any windows xp install disk to install the software as long as i have a genuine product key?
I have a laptop with the Windows XP Home Edition product key on a sticker on the underside of the computer. Will this key work to validate a windows installation, regardless of the source of the disk?
Thank you in advance for your assistance
Shane
27-Nov-2009
Posted by: Shane at November 26, 2009 4:14 PM
PS,
Posted by: Shane at November 26, 2009 4:18 PMif you need more specifics such as the laptop make and such to answer this i will oblidge
Just to bring all of you peolpe up to speed. NO you can not find the CD on any copy of Windows. It just does not excist. If you do have a file called UNATTEND.TXT, it is simply a file created to allow the cd to be installed to a batch, as in the exact same computers, for a large company that has purchased the systems and computers. It is only reg to those systems and company. It will not work on any computer. The only issue I do have is, even with unattend and putting in the CD key that does come on the computer will not work, even with the proper version of XP. The key is for pro and the key will not work with the copy I have. I end up running through the online verification every time to authorize it.
Posted by: Craig at December 6, 2009 3:06 PMLeo,
Thanks for clarification on some topics. I just wanted to clear up some confusion some of your readers may have about the UNATTEND.TXT file. The only purpose of UNATTEND.TXT is to allow you to do an unattended installation (i.e you don't have to answer the prompts during installation). This streamlines and automates installation. The UNATTEND.TXT is a sample. The installer needs to modify this file and include their unique information, including the product key. It can be used to set up multiple computers, but is used with a Uniqueness Database File (UDF), which contains settings unique for each computer, such as machine name.
Good web site. Keep up the good work.
22-Dec-2009
Posted by: Old Geek at December 21, 2009 6:32 PM
hi, yes there is a sample file for an unattended build on all the c.d's, and if you get a few of them you will find that they are all the same product key, sometimes it will work to enable you to load the software, but to activate it, it then goes online and checks your code, to which it will fail.
Posted by: matthew at December 29, 2009 5:06 AM