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

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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.

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 slightly 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:

  • 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:

Article C2490 - December 15, 2005

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Recent Comments
26 Comments

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.

Posted by: Trevor at May 9, 2008 3:13 PM

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

Posted by: Graham at October 8, 2008 1:30 PM

If you explore the windows cd and open up I386 it does reside in a file named UNATTEND.txt. I have successfully used this on VALID windows installations. Still working to this day, have never been blacklisted.

Posted by: Matt at February 9, 2009 11:53 AM

bull vista has the key on the cd

Posted by: Dan at February 25, 2009 9:35 PM

There are several programs out there freeware that you can run and get the xp key code. Microsoft office and internet explorer. One of them is winkeyfinder. Another is jelly bean magic. Just put them in search and follow the links for download

Posted by: Charolotte Harvey at March 12, 2009 9:17 PM

Ummm.......This article is wrong wrong wrong. The product key IS ON THE CD. It is in a folder name I386 and the name of the file is UNATTEND.txt.

Posted by: Sean at April 10, 2009 3:44 PM

Matt, 2/9 poster.. Thank you SO much. You saved me and your suggestion Worked!!! I am so glad that people are not afraid to share their knowledge.

Posted by: Edna at April 11, 2009 6:35 PM

The 'key' in the folder will only get you through the first hurdle when installing Windows. However when it comes to veryifing online, it won't work.

Posted by: Tony Frost at April 15, 2009 5:48 AM

Matt, thanx man, you are the only one who knows anything on here.

Posted by: Allen at May 16, 2009 3:01 AM

I have found a genuine xp disk and tried loading it using the number found in the text file, but it did not work and said the product ID is not valid, so I think the batch, or run number seems to be correct, so the cd is of no use, but thanks for the try anyway.

Posted by: Deg at June 2, 2009 3:23 AM

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