Vista's activation, which is part of the company's overall anti-counterfeit program, authenticates the license's product key – in Vista's case, that's a 25-character alphanumeric string – to ensure. – In Windows 7, Vista or XP systems, the product key can be found on a sticker on the computer case or inside the Windows installation package. So look at the Windows installation package or at the computer case (or at the bottom if your own a laptop) to find a sticker with a 25-digit number typed on it. (It looks like this: XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX).
Last updated on February 26th, 2018
If you 're preparing to reinstall Windows, then you need the Windows product key for installation and activation. In Windows 7, Vista or XP computers the Windows product key is commonly found on computer's case but in Windows Windows 10 and Windows 8 systems the Windows product key is embedded in BIOS.
In this tutorial you can find instructions on how to find or to retrieve (from Registry or BIOS) the Windows or Office Product key(s) in order to re-install Windows (or Office) on your computer.
How to View the Product Key in Windows 10, 8.x, 7, Vista or XP.
Windows 8.x or Windows 10 (Purchased Online).
– If you purchased Windows 8.x, 10 or Office online, then you can find your unique Windows or Office product key in the online order info or in the confirmation email or in the DVD package.
– If you have typed before the Windows 8.x or Windows 10 product key to install Windows, then you can use on of these these programs to retrieve the key from the registry.
How to retrieve the Windows 8.x /Windows 10 / Office Product key(s) from registry.
*Note: Keep in mind that the following utilities cannot retrieve the Windows Product Key on OEM pre-installed computers {the OS is installed by the computer manufacturer (e.g. Dell or other vendor)}. For OEM computers read the instructions below.
1. MSKeyViewer Plus : A freeware and portable utility that displays the product key of Windows and Office programs.
2. Belarc Advisor: Another freeware utility (for personal use only) that creates a detailed report of your installed OS, software, hardware, Antivirus Status, etc. and displays the report into a Web browser window (as an HTML file).
Windows 10 or Windows 8.x Preinstalled OEM computers:
– If you have bought a Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 OEM pre-installed computer, then the Windows product key is embedded in the BIOS (device's firmware). Microsoft performed this change to avoid product keys from being compromised. In this case, you have to call the computer manufacturer and request the key or you can retrieve the product key from the BIOS. *
How to retrieve the Embedded Product key from BIOS in Windows 8, 8.1 or Windows 10 PC.
- If Windows 8.x or Windows 10 is ALREADY ACTIVATED, then use the MSKeyViewer Plus utility to find the Windows 8.x OEM product key.
- If Windows 8.x or Windows 10 NOT ACTIVATED YET, then you can retrieve the BIOS embedded product key by using one of the following methods:
Method 1. Open Command Prompt and give this command:
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- wmic path softwarelicensingservice get /all /format:list | findstr OA3
Method 2. Run the freeware FirmwareTablesView utility from Nirsoft and utility and highlight the MSDM line (on the down pane) to view the embedded BIOS key (Windows OEM product key).
* Note: When you reinstall Windows 10 or 8.x on OEM computers, then Windows 'looks: at the BIOS to find out the OEM Windows product key and then self activates. But, to be sure, I suggest to write down the retrieved key and use it in case that Windows aren't able to find the key and self activate.
Windows 7, Vista or XP:
You can found the Windows 7, Vista or XP product key in two ways:
A. From the sticker
– In Windows 7, Vista or XP systems, the product key can be found on a sticker on the computer case or inside the Windows installation package. So look at the Windows installation package or at the computer case (or at the bottom if your own a laptop) to find a sticker with a 25-digit number typed on it. (It looks like this: XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX).
(Windows-Product-Key-Sticker)
B. From Windows Registry.
– If you cannot found a sticker on the computer's case or the sticker is unreadable (erased) , then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from Windows Registry:
How to retrieve the Windows 7, Vista or XP Product key from registry:
2. If you cannot find the 25 digit product key (or if it is erased), then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from the installed OS:
1. MSKeyViewer Plus: A freeware portable utility that can retrieve Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Office Product Keys from the computer's registry.
2. Belarc Advisor: Another freeware utility (for personal use only) that creates a detailed report of your installed software, hardware, Antivirus Status, etc. and displays the report into a Web browser window (as an HTML file).
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Full household PC Protection - Protect up to 3 PCs with NEW Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium!
copyright2019-delux4life-allrightsreserved.
A product key, also known as a software key, is a specific software-based key for a computer program. It certifies that the copy of the program is original. Activation is sometimes done offline by entering the key, or with software like Target Security card, Best Buy and Walmart, online activation is required to prevent multiple people using the key like Xbox Digital Code. Not all software has a product key, as some publishers may choose to use a different method to protect their copyright, or in some cases, such as free or open source software, copyright protection is not used.
Computer games use product keys to verify that the game has not been copied without authorization. Likewise, one is not allowed to play online with two identical product keys at the same time.
Product keys consist of a series of numbers and/or letters. This sequence is typically entered by the user during the installation of computer software, and is then passed to a verification function in the program. This function manipulates the key sequence according to a mathematical algorithm and attempts to match the results to a set of valid solutions.
Effectiveness[edit]
Standard key generation, where product keys are generated mathematically, is not completely effective in stopping copyright infringement of software, as these keys can be distributed. In addition, with improved communication from the rise of the Internet, more sophisticated attacks on keys such as cracks (removing the need for a key) and product key generators have become common.
Because of this, software publishers use additional product activation methods to verify that keys are both valid and uncompromised. One method assigns a product key based on a unique feature of the purchaser's computer hardware, which cannot be as easily duplicated since it depends on the user's hardware. Another method involves requiring one-time or periodical validation of the product key with an internet server (for games with an online component, this is done whenever the user signs in). The server can deactivate unmodified client software presenting invalid or compromised keys. Modified clients may bypass these checks[1], but the server can still deny those clients information or communication.
Controversy[edit]
Windows 10 Activation Number
Some of the most effective CD key protection is controversial, due to inconvenience, strict enforcement, harsh penalties and, in some cases, false positives. CD key uses uncompromising digital procedures to enforce the license agreement.
Inconvenience[edit]
Product keys are somewhat inconvenient for end users. Not only do they need to be entered whenever a program is installed, but the user must also be sure not to lose them. Loss of a product key usually means the software is useless once uninstalled, unless, prior to uninstallation, a key recovery application is used (although not all programs support this).[2]
Product keys also present new ways for distribution to go wrong. If a product is shipped with missing or invalid keys, then the CD itself is useless. For example, all copies of Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow originally shipped to Australia without CD keys.[3]
Enforcement and penalties[edit]
There are many cases of permanent bans enforced by companies detecting usage violations. It is common for an online system to immediately blacklist a CD key caught running cracks or, in some cases, cheats. This results in a permanent ban. Players who wish to continue use of the software must repurchase it. This has inevitably led to criticism over the motivations of enforcing permanent bans.[citation needed]
Particularly controversial is the situation which arises when multiple products' keys are bound together. If products have dependencies on other products (as is the case with expansion packs), it is common for companies to ban all bound products. For example, if a fake CD key is used with an expansion pack, the server may ban legitimate CD keys from the original game. Similarly, with Valve's Steam service, all products the user has purchased are bound into the one account. If this account is banned, the user will lose access to every product associated with the same account[4]
This 'multi-ban' is highly controversial, since it bans users from products which they have legitimately purchased and used.[citation needed]
False positives[edit]
Bans are enforced by servers immediately upon detection of cracks or cheats, usually without human intervention. Sometimes, legitimate users are wrongly deemed in violation of the license, and banned. In large cases of false positives, they are sometimes corrected (as happened in World of Warcraft.[5]) However, individual cases may not be given any attention.[citation needed]
A common cause of false positives (as with the World of Warcraft case above) is users of unsupported platforms. For example, users of Linux can run Windows applications through compatibility layers such as Wine and Cedega. This software combination sometimes triggers the game's server anti-cheating software, resulting in a ban due to Wine or Cedega being a Windows API compatibility layer for Linux, so it is considered third-party (cheating) software by the game's server.[6][citation needed]
Windows 7, Vista or XP:
You can found the Windows 7, Vista or XP product key in two ways:
A. From the sticker
– In Windows 7, Vista or XP systems, the product key can be found on a sticker on the computer case or inside the Windows installation package. So look at the Windows installation package or at the computer case (or at the bottom if your own a laptop) to find a sticker with a 25-digit number typed on it. (It looks like this: XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX).
(Windows-Product-Key-Sticker)
B. From Windows Registry.
– If you cannot found a sticker on the computer's case or the sticker is unreadable (erased) , then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from Windows Registry:
How to retrieve the Windows 7, Vista or XP Product key from registry:
2. If you cannot find the 25 digit product key (or if it is erased), then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from the installed OS:
1. MSKeyViewer Plus: A freeware portable utility that can retrieve Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Office Product Keys from the computer's registry.
2. Belarc Advisor: Another freeware utility (for personal use only) that creates a detailed report of your installed software, hardware, Antivirus Status, etc. and displays the report into a Web browser window (as an HTML file).
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Full household PC Protection - Protect up to 3 PCs with NEW Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium!
copyright2019-delux4life-allrightsreserved.
A product key, also known as a software key, is a specific software-based key for a computer program. It certifies that the copy of the program is original. Activation is sometimes done offline by entering the key, or with software like Target Security card, Best Buy and Walmart, online activation is required to prevent multiple people using the key like Xbox Digital Code. Not all software has a product key, as some publishers may choose to use a different method to protect their copyright, or in some cases, such as free or open source software, copyright protection is not used.
Computer games use product keys to verify that the game has not been copied without authorization. Likewise, one is not allowed to play online with two identical product keys at the same time.
Product keys consist of a series of numbers and/or letters. This sequence is typically entered by the user during the installation of computer software, and is then passed to a verification function in the program. This function manipulates the key sequence according to a mathematical algorithm and attempts to match the results to a set of valid solutions.
Effectiveness[edit]
Standard key generation, where product keys are generated mathematically, is not completely effective in stopping copyright infringement of software, as these keys can be distributed. In addition, with improved communication from the rise of the Internet, more sophisticated attacks on keys such as cracks (removing the need for a key) and product key generators have become common.
Because of this, software publishers use additional product activation methods to verify that keys are both valid and uncompromised. One method assigns a product key based on a unique feature of the purchaser's computer hardware, which cannot be as easily duplicated since it depends on the user's hardware. Another method involves requiring one-time or periodical validation of the product key with an internet server (for games with an online component, this is done whenever the user signs in). The server can deactivate unmodified client software presenting invalid or compromised keys. Modified clients may bypass these checks[1], but the server can still deny those clients information or communication.
Controversy[edit]
Windows 10 Activation Number
Some of the most effective CD key protection is controversial, due to inconvenience, strict enforcement, harsh penalties and, in some cases, false positives. CD key uses uncompromising digital procedures to enforce the license agreement.
Inconvenience[edit]
Product keys are somewhat inconvenient for end users. Not only do they need to be entered whenever a program is installed, but the user must also be sure not to lose them. Loss of a product key usually means the software is useless once uninstalled, unless, prior to uninstallation, a key recovery application is used (although not all programs support this).[2]
Product keys also present new ways for distribution to go wrong. If a product is shipped with missing or invalid keys, then the CD itself is useless. For example, all copies of Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow originally shipped to Australia without CD keys.[3]
Enforcement and penalties[edit]
There are many cases of permanent bans enforced by companies detecting usage violations. It is common for an online system to immediately blacklist a CD key caught running cracks or, in some cases, cheats. This results in a permanent ban. Players who wish to continue use of the software must repurchase it. This has inevitably led to criticism over the motivations of enforcing permanent bans.[citation needed]
Particularly controversial is the situation which arises when multiple products' keys are bound together. If products have dependencies on other products (as is the case with expansion packs), it is common for companies to ban all bound products. For example, if a fake CD key is used with an expansion pack, the server may ban legitimate CD keys from the original game. Similarly, with Valve's Steam service, all products the user has purchased are bound into the one account. If this account is banned, the user will lose access to every product associated with the same account[4]
This 'multi-ban' is highly controversial, since it bans users from products which they have legitimately purchased and used.[citation needed]
False positives[edit]
Bans are enforced by servers immediately upon detection of cracks or cheats, usually without human intervention. Sometimes, legitimate users are wrongly deemed in violation of the license, and banned. In large cases of false positives, they are sometimes corrected (as happened in World of Warcraft.[5]) However, individual cases may not be given any attention.[citation needed]
A common cause of false positives (as with the World of Warcraft case above) is users of unsupported platforms. For example, users of Linux can run Windows applications through compatibility layers such as Wine and Cedega. This software combination sometimes triggers the game's server anti-cheating software, resulting in a ban due to Wine or Cedega being a Windows API compatibility layer for Linux, so it is considered third-party (cheating) software by the game's server.[6][citation needed]
Download Windows Vista Activation
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Chang, Hoi; Atallah, Mikhail J. (2002). 'Protecting Software Codes by Guards'. Security and Privacy in Digital Rights Management. Springer. p. 160-175. ISBN978-3-540-47870-6.
- ^http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
- ^Australian Pandora Tomorrow CD-Key ProblemsShack News
- ^'Valve suspends 20,000 Steam accounts'. GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
- ^Blizzard Unbans Linux World of Warcraft PlayersSoftpedia
- ^'Linux users banned from Diablo 3- End Gamers'. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
