Find a lost Windows product key

by Jason "Hiner MCSE, CCNA" | Apr 19, 2006 7:55:00 AM

Tags: Operating systems, Jason Hiner MCSE, CCNA, Windows product key, product key, Microsoft Windows

Takeaway: Learn the procedures and tools you can use to reveal a lost product key for a currently installed version of Windows.

Problem

In order to install or reinstall Microsoft Windows you must have access to a Product Key for that version of the operating system. The product key can typically be found on a yellow sticker on the CD case of the installation CD, or on a small Microsoft sticker on the outside of the PC's case (if the OS came preinstalled on the machine). If you no longer have access to the product key then you will effectively "lose" a Windows license if you ever have to reinstall the operating system.

Solution

There are several methods you can use to uncover a lost product key for a version of Windows that you currently have installed.

For older versions of Windows you can extract the product key from the Windows Registry. Click Start | Run and then type regedit and click OK.

For Windows 95 and Windows 98, browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ProductID

For Windows NT 4.0, browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductID

Alternatively, there are also some free scripts and freeware software programs that can help you:

• Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder: This is probably the best tool for this task. In addition to finding and identifying product keys for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP, it can also uncover product keys for installed versions of Microsoft Office.
• Windows Key Finders: This is actually a group of tools that can be used for unearthing product keys for different versions of Windows.
• Belarc Advisor: This free utility builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware. (As suggested in the discussion thread by ShadyHouse).

Whichever method you use, make sure you write down the product key and put it in a safe place for future reference.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Has WPA caused your organization any problems, or ... Jason Hiner | 06/29/04

Windows Product Keys ShadyHouse | 07/01/04

HI PRODUCT KEY FOR WINDOWS XP HOME NEILVDM@... | 10/19/06

lost key AZson | 10/19/06

product key BEWZIN@... | 04/15/07

yes pushpakiran_sjec@... | 03/13/09

say what KingYoda | 05/27/09

Can't find key (above) hopperdave2000@... | 10/19/06

lost key AZson | 10/19/06

Product Key/software raularce0407@... | 05/23/07

Magic Jellybean program S. Giesbrecht | 11/29/06

product key/software raularce0407@... | 05/24/07

Never a PA product foringmar | 07/02/04

Product Activation wizard@... | 05/03/06

Product keys for bootleg MS windows dickschulz@... | 03/26/08

Never a problem, but... RknRlKid | 07/02/04

Existing license Kevj | 07/02/04

Lucky (!!) Successful experience billballew | 07/02/04

So What Was The Problem? Dan in Philly | 05/03/06

MSDNAA rpalmeira | 07/02/04

They have opted to downgrade wizard@... | 05/03/06

They Have Downgraded the license wizard@... | 09/06/06

I WILL NEVER USE A MICOSOFT PRODUCT Aaron A Baker | 09/27/04

"I will never..." Are you sure? Canderra | 10/08/04

Corporate versions of Microsoft Products do not require activation Rearview | 10/11/04

What I didn't state and should have Aaron A Baker | 05/13/08

XP doesn't require activation? Willicueva | 10/09/04

other options apotheon | 11/30/04

FYI: XP Pro DOES require activation. wizard@... | 05/03/06

Agreed! argyliz@... | 08/29/07

arrons 'never using ms product' del_ann@... | 08/29/07

I WILL NEVER USE A MICOSOFT PRODUCT ??? Franciscus101 | 11/09/07

What if tech@... | 10/08/04

CD doesn't have the activation key Willicueva | 10/09/04

Key hunt oromis | 05/03/06

re-key hunt ezeze5000@... | 05/10/06

Window Product Keys (all versions) PeterPac | 11/29/06

Product Key in Registry hopperdave2000@... | 11/30/06

InsaneWare Keyfinder bean2thousand | 12/07/04

insane keyfinder misleading advertising. wizard@... | 05/04/06

Finding a lost Windows product key len@... | 05/03/06

SiSoft no longer free Starderup | 05/08/06

Get ALL product keys easily doe5551212@... | 05/31/06

problem in reverse bladerider94 | 05/03/06

Key problem on reload oromis | 05/03/06

XP Key trivial info... hopperdave2000@... | 08/02/06

Re: Probelm in reverse Franciscus101 | 04/22/08

Record Keeping The teach | 05/03/06

There is a really nice stand alone program AZson | 05/03/06

Myles- Computer Tech bmxcrs@... | 05/03/06

yes AZson | 05/03/06

Thanks Crash84 | 05/03/06

what is that program yegna1234@... | 05/08/06

What is that program? alan@... | 08/29/07

yes AZson | 05/03/06

My email Crash84 | 05/03/06

My email Crash84 | 05/03/06

No Problem and Thanks Crash84 | 05/03/06

My email ang2006 | 05/23/07

Not safe to post email address on bulletin boards alan@... | 08/29/07

I would like it also hollis21228@... | 05/17/08

Stand alone Pgm j1shalack@... | 09/06/06

Ref: stand alone program to ID system keys raychernandez@... | 11/29/06

Nice stand alone program halesan1 | 11/29/06

Would appreciate svincent@... | 11/29/06

hook me up! SysAdmin | 11/29/06

If you please, I'd also like a copy of that program poseyfarmboy | 11/29/06

Yes lynn.harper@... | 11/29/06

Another program U might try JohnnR27@... | 12/11/06

There is a really nice stand alone program pjdn@... | 12/11/06

It sounds good PKA | 03/04/07

Stand Alone Program stevenddickey@... | 05/23/07

Sounds good! mcstout | 08/29/07

Sounds Good halesan1 | 08/29/07

Sounds like a great program trah39@... | 10/03/07

Still available? jwlindsey@... | 03/26/08

So where do you find this stand alone program Crash84 | 05/03/06

useless article rick@... | 05/03/06

recommended product has virus d.woodcock@... | 05/03/06

Could be a false positive Dumbterminal | 09/13/06

This Works mroedel | 05/03/06

Two things of note... okay three tecnopaul | 05/04/06

Yes you can avoid WPA in the corporate workplace. wizard@... | 05/04/06

Magic Jellybean HiTeckCwby | 05/15/06

You can get a Key out of a non-booting PC wizard@... | 05/15/06

Easier way to recover key from trashed XP hopperdave2000@... | 08/02/06

Produkey enieves@... | 08/29/07

Windows 98. halesan1 | 05/19/06

windows 98 se : michaela52802@... | 12/04/06

Belarc advisor haasman@... | 08/14/06

lost key code xp kimprowse@... | 01/06/07

Reformatting is a last resort. wizard@... | 01/14/07

Hard drive crash, have Win XP Home 2002 Edition CD but have lost the key rooiberg@... | 02/23/07

Re: Getting your key off the Win CD sragan5@... | 02/24/07

Getting a key off the Win CD rooiberg@... | 02/24/07

product key/software raularce0407@... | 05/24/07

JT, I have fixed this many times bmadams | 02/28/07

Thanks bmadams rooiberg+TechRepub@... | 03/01/07

Good to hear it worked... bmadams | 03/01/07

JT, There is a fix.. bmadams | 02/28/07

Before you need it - Senior Program Analyst | 05/22/07

product key/software raularce0407@... | 05/24/07

I have a unique product key issue ...... Watzman@... | 09/07/07

RockXP rpalmeira | 07/02/04

Not so easy... suirauqa | 05/03/06

When will it end? pborscho@... | 07/03/04

Greed = PA gothicscott@... | 07/06/04

I agree.... Canderra | 10/08/04

Just tell them it's only on one computer technoprisoner | 10/11/04

I agree fujihts@... | 04/26/06

null breichert | 10/15/04

Just a question -- RknRlKid | 10/20/04

you're right apotheon | 11/30/04

What about Windows only software under Linux? MWRadio@... | 02/05/05

emulators apotheon | 02/06/05

one quibble apotheon | 11/30/04

Quick and easy oromis | 05/03/06

The same happened to me... suirauqa | 05/03/06

et tu Dell pmeniche@... | 10/10/04

check Microsoft's licensing agreement... Mr IT Man | 10/21/04

It's even worse than that BlueMoundsHandyman | 05/04/06

It's not as bad as that. wizard@... | 05/04/06

Sorry but... campbellcanuck | 05/03/06

Insane Keyfinder bean2thousand | 02/01/05

never, ever worked for me jdw242 | 04/20/06

I think it is greed ang2006 | 04/27/06

Genuine Windows BS ali40961 | 04/27/06

CD + Key issues dmarston | 04/27/06

Tool for Accessing Licience No on machine Firelands | 05/03/06

I agree with this one RknRlKid | 05/03/06

Belarc is not licensed for corporate use wizard@... | 05/03/06

Belarc is NOT accurate kbramblett@... | 05/04/06

Dell's single Key wizard@... | 05/04/06

CD can only install on a Dell? cheshnig@... | 05/05/06

Dell's Single Key, Maybe? Crash84 | 05/05/06

Wireless Keys? SysAdmin | 11/29/06

Which key is which? oromis | 05/03/06

This is what I'd do in this situation... jcitron@... | 08/03/07

Windows product key need it pls khd350@... | 07/02/06

removing wga notice... hopperdave2000@... | 08/02/06

Regarding texasfan0310@... | 02/16/07

WGA: michaela52802@... | 12/04/06

Product Key pjdn@... | 12/11/06

Product key jsdoc11768@... | 01/13/07

No - If you have lost the key you have options. wizard@... | 01/14/07

Here's another key Win XP finding program sragan5@... | 02/09/07

RE: Find a lost Windows product key jonturnbull@... | 08/31/07

RE: Find a lost Windows product key ka.turner@... | 01/28/08

Visit www.belarc.com wizard@... | 04/22/08

RE: Find a lost Windows product key anjansarkar83@... | 01/29/08

visit www.belarc.com wizard@... | 04/22/08

product key for windows 2003 server ? brijesh123@... | 08/09/08

RE: Find a lost Windows product key Netverse | 09/01/08