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    How can I find XP's product key?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by octavia, May 9, 2008.

  1. octavia

    octavia Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an old desktop that I want to sell but I'm not sure I have the right activation key for XP, the numbers are blurry on the cd case. Is there a way I can see the activation key
     
    octavia, May 9, 2008
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Lithus, May 9, 2008
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  3. bigozone

    bigozone JellyRoll touring now

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    good answer Lithus... looks like i may soon need that tool too... thanks


    this no longer works w/ XP SP3
    everyone now needs to make sure they have thier activation keys recorded somewhere out of M$'s reach
    the easy way WAS to get it from inside your registry!!!

    1. go to the system property main screen....
    2. copy the 20 digit key listed in the REGISTERED TO section
    3. click start,, run,,, type regedit {enter}
    4. inside regedit click EDIT,, click FIND,,, paste 20digit # in the window,
    5. click FIND NEXT.... you may have to hit F3 a few times to get to the entry that has the INSTALL KEY

    i just noticed this no longer works if SP3 is installed!!!
    in fact, i can't find a trace of my actual KEY anywhere in my registry.... i'm pretty sure this is new to SP3,,, i used to use this alot before wiping and reloading other people's computers... looks like M$ really wants us to move DOWN to vista...

    hope that helps you,
    bigO
     
    bigozone, May 9, 2008
    #3
  4. octavia

    octavia Notebook Evangelist

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    Thank you guys!
     
    octavia, May 9, 2008
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  5. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

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    Google "magical jellybean".
     
    coolguy, May 10, 2008
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  6. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    Winguggle works, yes I have used it in Windows XP...
     
    Thomas, May 10, 2008
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  7. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

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    WackyT, May 10, 2008
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  8. SA Spurs1

    SA Spurs1 Notebook Consultant

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    SA Spurs1, May 11, 2008
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