Mr Slick Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 It seems I have the original disk that came with the PC, but not the key. Pretty sure i've never needed it before (came preinstalled). Someone said it should be in the PC case. There is a half worn away sticker but showing only the last 5 digits of a code. Any solutions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811224 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Much Easier: License Crawler Scans your computer for Serials of Software already installed, and decrypts them so you can see them. I've recovered product keys from several machines with it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 If Windows came pre-installed on your PC, then there should be a sticker on the case with the Windows info(if desktop) OR on the bottom of the PC(if a laptop/netbook). This is the proof of purchase license sticker. The Activation code is found by going to Start, Computer, then at the top(on Vista and 7) OR on the left side(if XP) there is a selection that says "System Properties"-click that and stroll all the way to the bottom and it will say that Windows is activated and it will tell you the code. HTH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 That's the Product ID, NOT the Product Key. And he already said the Key was worn off the sticker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 That's the Product ID, NOT the Product Key. And he already said the Key was worn off the sticker. But, the one under the System Property option is the code used to activate Windows-I know, as that is what the code was like when I upgraded my laptop from Vista to 7(I got the Free 7 upgrade from HP back when it was available). I remember I had to go their to activate it after the upgrade was complete...The sticker on the PC itself is just the Proof of Purchase tag... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leik oh em jeez! Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 In online activation, the ID may be required, but the Product Key is definately required for installing Windows. And the Sticker is both a Prood of Purchase and your license for that version of Windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 In online activation, the ID may be required, but the Product Key is definately required for installing Windows. And the Sticker is both a Prood of Purchase and your license for that version of Windows. If that's true, can you please explain why the sticker on my laptop says Windows Vista Home Premium(the OS it came with Originally), but yet it is Windows 7 Home Premium(after I did the free upgrade from HP)? Just curious, as I am still learning the Computer(I pretty much just know the basics of it)...as I just got my first PC back in 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Slick Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 It's sorted guys. I used magical jelly bean. Thanks for the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 In online activation, the ID may be required, but the Product Key is definately required for installing Windows. And the Sticker is both a Prood of Purchase and your license for that version of Windows. If that's true, can you please explain why the sticker on my laptop says Windows Vista Home Premium(the OS it came with Originally), but yet it is Windows 7 Home Premium(after I did the free upgrade from HP)? Just curious, as I am still learning the Computer(I pretty much just know the basics of it)...as I just got my first PC back in 2005. This is because a while back Microsoft was upgrading Vista computers to 7 for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinky12 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Unless your PC is from a boutique vender the key found by MJB will not work as most OEM uses a single key for mass production. A few ways you may not need the key are -Run the recovery partition (if there is one) -Use the disc that came with that computer as most won't need the product key due to it's already preactivated. The only time you may need the key is when you grab a standalone disc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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