Lost Windows Product Key
Dealing with Windows product registration is one of my discomfort zones. I'm sure that is exactly what they hope for... that they will frighten you into compliance.
Still, it's rather annoying that you ostensibly bought the right to the software, yet from afar, Microsoft can put restrictions on the extent to which that software can be useful to you.
My favorite restriction is the "you can't be an idiot" rule, which suggests that if you have tried to install your operating system more than a couple of times, you must be dishonest. Maybe you're just technologically challenged; maybe your computer is not so great; maybe you're having a bad day. I can remember installing my OS multiple times in the past, and while we don't generally have those kinds of problems these days, it is still more than a small annoyance to realize you'll have to defend yourself to some Help Desk judge who will decide if you can have another product key or not should you over-extend your installation priveleges.
Then there is the "product key." In order to install Windows, you will have to enter the product "registration," which comes with the software or computer. Then you will have to go online, or phone Microsoft in order to be granted a product key, which unlocks the software.
If you lose the product key, again there is the assumption that you have a purloined copy of the OS and you're trying to steal it, so you will have to prove to the powers that be that you should be granted the product key.
With older Windows OS versions, you could enter regedit (Start/Run) and locate the Product ID:
Windows 95 and 98:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ProductID
Windows NT 4.0:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductID
Now, it's a bit tricker. TechRepublic (www.techrepublic.com) recommends the following applications to help you solve this problem:
Magical Jelly Bean Finder
Windows Key Finders
Belarc Advisor This is the product I use - running an audit of your computer will present you with a list of hardware and software, including licenses and key, for a large number (though not all) of your system components and software.
Dealing with Windows product registration is one of my discomfort zones. I'm sure that is exactly what they hope for... that they will frighten you into compliance.
Still, it's rather annoying that you ostensibly bought the right to the software, yet from afar, Microsoft can put restrictions on the extent to which that software can be useful to you.
My favorite restriction is the "you can't be an idiot" rule, which suggests that if you have tried to install your operating system more than a couple of times, you must be dishonest. Maybe you're just technologically challenged; maybe your computer is not so great; maybe you're having a bad day. I can remember installing my OS multiple times in the past, and while we don't generally have those kinds of problems these days, it is still more than a small annoyance to realize you'll have to defend yourself to some Help Desk judge who will decide if you can have another product key or not should you over-extend your installation priveleges.
Then there is the "product key." In order to install Windows, you will have to enter the product "registration," which comes with the software or computer. Then you will have to go online, or phone Microsoft in order to be granted a product key, which unlocks the software.
If you lose the product key, again there is the assumption that you have a purloined copy of the OS and you're trying to steal it, so you will have to prove to the powers that be that you should be granted the product key.
With older Windows OS versions, you could enter regedit (Start/Run) and locate the Product ID:
Windows 95 and 98:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ProductID
Windows NT 4.0:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductID
Now, it's a bit tricker. TechRepublic (www.techrepublic.com) recommends the following applications to help you solve this problem:
Magical Jelly Bean Finder
Windows Key Finders
Belarc Advisor This is the product I use - running an audit of your computer will present you with a list of hardware and software, including licenses and key, for a large number (though not all) of your system components and software.
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