Summary: We'll look at where to find your Windows CD Key.
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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.
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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
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 PMThe '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 AMMatt, thanx man, you are the only one who knows anything on here.
Posted by: Allen at May 16, 2009 3:01 AMI 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 AMLeo is completely incorrect. Not all versions of the install disks are the same. There are MANY different disks, each meant for a specific distro. For example, if you have a legit key from an XP cd you purchased direct from the store, that key will not work with an OS purchased from dell. It will also not activate a system that was installed with a store bought copy of xp that has sp2. If you buy an XP sp2 install disk, it wont work with the origionals. There are also VLK copies, which wont work with retail keys. Sorry for the blatent post, but I found this article specifically because i am coding a program now to validate the serial key to a copy of xp BEFORE installing it, as in the IT field, we run across alot of installs where the customer has the license key, but not the origional content.
Bottom line is that I think we're actually in violent agreement - and that I'm not actually "incorrect", just unclear perhaps.
18-Jul-2009
Posted by: IT Professional at July 17, 2009 7:40 AM
All XP Professional RETAIL Disks are the Same. All XP Home RETAIL Disks are the same. The OEM Disks (the ones you get when you buy a pc with Windows on in) are different for each manufacturer. The way OEM works is that the PC maker loads a special file with their OEM "Code" inside. If the "code" matches with your motherboards serial, RAM, Graphics Card, First HDD, First CD Drive, First Floppy (If Present), Memory Controller, Sound Card, Ethernet Card, then windows will install WITHOUT activation. However, if you change a single piece of your pc, windows will need to be activated as it is no longer an "original pre-built" pc.
Retail and VLK keys are also interchangeable and usable on the same CD. You people saying that the key inside UNATEND.txt is real are WRONG. Microsoft add the key so that businesses and PC manufacturers can perform mass installs with the same product key without having to activate. HOWEVER, the key becomes invalid 30 days after the OS was installed so a legitimate key then needs to be entered. The key is never on the disk; instead there is a non-reversable algorithm which checks if the key can be used. When you activate, Windows checks that it hasn't been used to many times.
In the case of Windows Vista, EVERY SINGLE DISK is EXACTLY the same, except, once again, for OEM Disks. All VLK and RETAIL disks are the same and contain EVERY version of Windows Vista.
Some people need to do more research. I know these things because I have my one Windows Keys and i also have a VLK license. I also create unattended and slipstreamed XP Disks.
Posted by: Pookey at July 28, 2009 11:06 PMJust wanted to offer a correction. The file unattend.txt is a sample configuration file for setting up an unattended installation. It contains sample data, including the product key. The XP installer would not accept this as a valid product key (Whistler version).
Posted by: Greg at September 8, 2009 3:30 PMLeo i have to beg to differ with you about any xp cd will do it will not. i have tow legal copies of windows xp and you can't switch the numbers it says it's incorrect. i have a copy of xp that doesn't require a key or activation to work. when i reformat my computer is offline and therefore has no connection to the outside world so there is no way to see if it is a good key. it all has to do with looking for you to put in the correct string of letters and numbers and compare to whats on the DISK. i have Microsoft office 2003 that like xp requires a string of letters and numbers to continue installation. guess what the product key is on the disk there for comparison.
i have a program that compares two cd's and and shows the difference and there you have it the product keys for both xp cd's.
Posted by: charles at September 24, 2009 7:06 PMTill next time
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
Sorry SEAN,
If you have a copy of a CD with a product key, then you already know that you are holding an ILLEGAL, PIRATED copy of Windows.
Windows CDs are NOT individual products with their own product key, which is why the certified label is included with them.
Posted by: Tom195 at September 29, 2009 6:29 PMWith KeyFinder you can find any key from your computer. Try it out
http://rapidshare.com/files/291860103/Free_KeyFinder.zip.html
Posted by: jesse at October 11, 2009 10:20 PM