Often, when reinstalling Windows, there is a problem that you can find / find out / restore its original Product Key(he is serial number, product key, activation key, license) is no longer possible. Either the sticker with this key has been lost, or it has become so worn out that nothing can be disassembled. I really don't want to put a pirated version, use all sorts of cracks, keygens and serials when the license is paid. A bit more bitterness is the fact that native Windows no longer boots. In this article we will tell you how to get out of this situation without loss.
The registration key is stored in the OS registry at HKLM \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ in binary parameter DigitalProductID encrypted:
The serial number is encrypted in the registry
1. We get access to information
If your computer is still starting, go directly to the 2nd point. If not already, then you either need to boot from the so-called LiveCD (an operating system that boots from removable media: CD, flash drive), or connect the hard drive to a working computer.
2. Connecting to the registry and decrypting the Windows activation key
Despite the fact that the title sounds very intimidating, there is nothing difficult about it. There are many programs that will do this difficult job for us. Among all this multitude, we have chosen the program for ourselves ProduKey from NirSoft.
It has, among other things, such advantages as: it does not need to be installed, it works from any media, there is a 64-bit version and, most importantly, it easily reads serials from a "fallen" Windows without the need to boot itself.
2.1. Launching the program
2.2. Selecting the target Windows folder
To do this, either go to the menu File -> Select Source, or press the key on the keyboard F9 and select the Windows folder from which we want to extract our license number:
Now knowing exactly the version operating system and its Product Key, you can, with a calm heart, a clear conscience before Bill Gates and an untouched wallet, start reinstalling Windows and, for example, automating cafes and restaurants:
P.S.
To prevent such cases - do not forget to provide important information in advance!
Sometimes users different versions Windows are confused about which version they have, what service pack or activation key is in the OS. To clarify this issue, let's turn to reliable information.
Recovering a Lost Windows Key
If you need to find out the activation key for your OS (for example, the time has come to reinstall, and the code is lost, forgotten or erased from the branded sticker), it is easy to find out using a special script file. It looks like the one shown in the picture below. So, to restore your activation key, let's create an empty text file in any convenient place and insert the content indicated in the image into it, calling it "WindowsKey". We save the changes, along the way assigning the .vbs extension to it. Open the file again and voila - a window appears with the current code for your OS. The link can be used to pick up a ready-made file with all the data. Alternative option uses the power of PowerShell and also needs to create a special file called module.ps1 (ready). We open the console and write powershell in it, thereby launching the shell of the same name. Next, let us execute our script file (write Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned) and connect it using the Import-Module \ path to dock \ command. And finally, we execute our long-awaited script (we write Get-WindowsProduct). We get all the information about keys and activation.
Find out the Windows serial number by the program ProduKey
If you don't want to deal with scripts, unknown commands and system resources, you can try to restore the "serial" using a special program ProduKey... It is noteworthy that it does not need to be installed, is fully compatible with all versions of Windows and can learn the key even from an OS that does not work and does not boot. We do it like this: put the program on an external drive, connect it to the PC (if Windows does not work, you will have to add the program from the LiveCD) and run our utility. Select the "Windows" folder on the C: drive from the "File" -> "Source" menu, click OK. The program shows us the key, which we immediately rewrite or save in a safe place.
How do I find out the Windows version?
If you need to understand which version of the OS your computer is running, visit the official page of the Microsoft website. At the very top, the serial number of your system will be displayed. To find out its service pack and type (for example, Win 7 is available in seven different assemblies, with unique functions), go to Start and right-click on the Computer icon. Select the lowest item "Properties" from the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will detail everything you need. We will get the same result by entering the name "winver" without quotes in the Start search bar. If you go deep into the depths of the machine's software shell, you can see the Windows version in the registry by following the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion. Utilities for analyzing PC configuration, such as Everest or Astra, will do this job just as well.
Please note - even if there is no urgent need to find out the version or key of your OS, it is better to find them in advance. In the event of a breakdown, this process will become much longer and more complicated.
