Finding Windows 7 serial number / key

Anyone has an idea how to get the serial number of the Windows 7 installation from a hard drive that I cannot boot from? (Windows were installed on another computer and it just restarts every time I try to boot from it)

So, I can't run any free program that does that for you. I can get to the command prompt, though, so if there are any ideas... thanks

EDIT: Managed to boot from that disk, however none of the free programs I tried so far manage to find the serial. :-/

 

what programs have you tried?

 

Basically, most of the stuff from this list: Key Finder Programs - Top 13 Free Product Key Finder Programs - Keyfinder Software .

The main problem is that I got the key from the MSDN Academic Alliance as I was enrolled in the engineering class at my university and I could view the key online. However, my access got revoked as I am no longer enrolled in the course, but they did it without notifying me it's going to happen. For some reason I was sure I e-mailed myself the key but I guess I didn't.

 

IT's not that hard you know. Try SIW (System Information for Windows) -> SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala .. free app which let's you see all you want about your computer. Even serial numbers @ the licenses menu.

 

The very first program in the list "Magic JellyBean Keyfinder" will find it for you if it is on your HD. It finds my Windows 7 key in about 1 sec.

 

The problem is that his Windows installation will not boot, so the normal key retrieval tools that work from within the OS will not work

 

In the OP's first post there is an EDIT that says he finally is able to boot, therefore the program should work.

 

Everest Ultimate Edition should do the job Just go to the tab "Operating system".

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm flying to the US tomorrow, so I'll keep trying when I arrive.

These programs worked on my other computer. However, could it be the problem is that I took the drive into another computer to extract the Windows key? (I am trying all this on another computer where the Windows install isn't activated.)

Magic Jellybean shows BBBB-BBBB-BBBB-BBBB-BBBB. Which, I am quite sure, is NOT the key I put in when I installed Win7. I also e-mailed the MSDNAA support and they told me I'll get the online access back if I enroll in another engineering course. So I think I'll just enroll in something to get the access back, get my key, then drop the course! The problem is, I can't enroll before Jan 22nd.... just amazing.

 

Now that is a GOOD question. I have never tried to extract the key on a deactivated windows install. I am not willing to deactivate my install to try it out, sorry Good Luck.

That also leads to another question. I wonder what would happen if you could put the HD back into the original laptop, would the OS be reactivated automatically or would it ask for the product key again?

 

When it shows BBBB means someone has cleared the key from Windows Registry.

 

In the other computer Windows senses a changed configuration(other cpu, motherboard etc), invalidates the activation and requests a new activation.
Therefore your key is dropped. I had this problem after getting my notebook back from RMA where the motherboard was changed.