Lost Your Key?

It happens, we have our Windows installation disks, but the product key is nowhere to be found! Usually it's located on a sticker stuck somewhere on our computer case, but what do you do in those other instances? Panic?



Nope, just look for a product key finder!

Your product key is actually located right within your Windows registry, and where back in the days of Windows 95/98 it was a s simple as going hunting, today's keys are encrypted, making them far more difficult to find/identify. That's where a key finder comes in! The one I use is called “Magic Jellybean Keyfinder”, which locates and decrypts keys for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007. Do a Google search for it – it should be the first result.

Then just run the program and follow the instructions. You're looking for a number formatted like xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx – five sets of five letters and numbers. Write it down and keep t for the next time you format!

There you have it!