Program for Product key

Hello everybody,I have the following problem.
The sticker with the Product key of my Windows Home edition which was on the bottom of my notebook is completely torn
and now I don't know which is my Product key.
I know there is a program which is free and which can display that key but I can't remember his name.
I had it downloaded last year but reformated my hdd since and it's gone with the wind
Can you please tell me with which program can I see my Product key

THANKS...

 

i used this from PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,8078/description.html

 

I just wanted to chip into this thread and remind you guys that with OEM computers the windows product key that you see on the sticker on your notebook is not the same key that windows is installed with.

Microsoft blacklisted the sticker keys almost 2 years ago in an attempt to stop piracy, so all that sticker really means now is that you have a license to use whatever windows version your notebook came with.

By the way if you are looking for a program to use to find what key your windows currently uses you can use the magic jelly bean finder found here

 

Can you explain little bit more.I know OEM pre installed key is diff than sticker key...but bit confused

 

With windows XP microsoft gives the OEM manufacturers what are called volume License keys (VLK) to do mass installs of windows on thousands of notebooks. These keys allow for offline pre-activation so that when you first turn on your notebook you are not asked to register windows and it is registered permanently.

Now with windows vista they have changed this somewhat, they still use VLKs but this time the OEM manufacturers pre-activate notebooks using what are called OEM certificates. Windows looks at these certificates and then scans the BIOS for a SLIC(Software Licensing Description Table) code. This code identifies what manufacturer the notebook is from and it is from the OEM certificate plus the SLIC code that windows vista is activated offline and therefore won't ever ask a user to activate it. This is why manufacturers have a vista BIOS and a XP BIOS for notebooks that originally did not come with vista installed.

The stickers keys on OEM computers don't work anymore, that is if you try to register windows with them they won't work. You can however still use them if you call microsoft and give them a good explanation as to why you need to use them.

 

Well mine actually is because I already used it to reinstall my system.

Since when they don't work,because I reinstalled my system two months ago with it?

A good explanation,how about " I paid for it and I want my product key NOW "

P.S.
Thanks,Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is the program I was looking for.

 

If you know what SLP Keys are as well as bios strings you have the abilty to use that key and reinstall using the same OS..


Do a search for oemscan

Best of luck

 

GOOGLE "siw" or go http://www.gtopala.com/ for a great program that reveals very detailed info on software and hardware, including the Product Keys for various programs.

 

A program, SIW, gives you the info you want plus piles more. No installation involved.See http://www.gtopala.com/ to get it. It's freeware.

 

you can back up you wpa.dbl and used that key on bottom you laptop to reinstall then copy file back on to laptop replace old one and run acvation wizard it will say it already acvated and you will not have phone ms