how to find the product key for you disc if you lose the original key

*note may not work with burnt copy and make sure you can view hidden files

ok first put in the disc
then explore the disc
note i can't get a picture of this as i don't have windows xp
then go in to the i336 folder

then look for the file named unattend

the look for the thing that say's product key

nice :up: +rep

I'm assuming this is for factory restore disks as opposed to OEM disks because I was under the impression that regular OEM/Retail disks don't HAVE a specific code - I know I use a single CD image for each of multiple OS's and just burn it as I need it, and then use whichever key applies to that machine - the key isn't usually on the disk.

The big OEM's though, have keys which allow mass pre-activated installations to save them having to manually install each machine - they just run huge HD cloning stations to mass-install windows...

Or a cd that has unattended install available.

that will only be avaiable if your disc has an unattended setup, and only if they enter the code for said setup,

OEM installs will also have that file but will only work on that machine, ie Dell disc on a Dell machine, otherwise it won't activate

Alternately, you can use the Bel Arc Advisor (www.belarc.com) to retrieve keys for MS products including Windows and Office suites.

It will also give you a full hardware report on the machine.

I've tried this before and the key doesn't work.

magic jellybean keyfinder, is the fastest easiest method, at least for xp.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BuzzKillington

I've tried this before and the key doesn't work.

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was it a burnt disc

No, but it didn't match the real key it came with either. Have you had any success with it?