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Step 1, Click start in the bottom left corner, then click run.Step 2, Type 'Regedit' in the white text field, and click OK. This should open the Registry Editor.Step 3, Navigate to the following registry key. Hkeylocalmachine Software Microsoft WindowsNT Current Version WPAEvents.
I threw out a Windows XP machine a while ago (the motherboard failed). I kept the hard drive and the XP installation media.
Problem is the license key was on a sticker on the machine - doh! The original manufacturer has gone bust (Evesham) and I suspect that Microsoft will be of little help.
Is there any easy way to get the license key off the hard disk? Can I just find the file with the registry data in it and get the key using a hex editor?
I really need a spare XP key for use in a Windows VM.
Jeff Atwood17.7k2929 gold badges9090 silver badges115115 bronze badges
FortyrunnerFortyrunner
4 Answers
If the old machine had a sticker, it was most likely an OEM license.
OEM licenses cannot legally be moved from one computer to another one. They die when the computer dies.
But, in answer to your question...
![Xp product key sp2 Xp product key sp2](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125827021/320778003.png)
Load the old registry hive on your new computer and then find the XP key. -- EDIT make sure that you open the SOFTWARE hive instead of SYSTEM mentioned in the first guide, then open this just-opened-offline hive in the second guide.
KezKez14.1k1212 gold badges5959 silver badges9090 bronze badges
WinKeyFinder - · View Windows XP CD Key· Change Windows XP CD Key· View Windows Vista 32bit Edition CD Key· View MS Office 2007 CD Key· View/Change XP Key· View/Change MS office Key· View Win98 Key· view Win2000 Key· View .Net Key· View Windows2003 Key
Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products.
and while you're at it, backup your XP activation files, AFAIK the latest WinKeyFinder features this option, if not, here'a a tutorial.
Molly7244
Apparently Nirsoft's ProduKey can do this:
produkey.exe /windir [Windows Directory]
Load product key information from another operating system on the same computer. The [Windows Directory] specifies the base folder of Windows installation, for example: c:windows, c:winnt This feature is only supported on Windows 2000/XP/2003/2008/Vista/7.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to dig it out of the registry file manually by searching for the registry key
using a hex editor I think.
![Bit Bit](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125827021/463433905.jpg)
Bytes 52-66 (0x34 - 0x42) of this key hold a 15 byte number.
In Hex, it's a 30 digit number:A2 23 51 D0 2A 38 5D 22 C4 41 6B 87 43 C1 00
In Binary, a 120 digit number:10100010 00100011 ... 11000001 00000000
Converted to base 24:751AA001EHCCLAB3JH8KDIGAG
Mapped to Microsoft's custom base24 alphabet 'BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789' and a hyphen every 5 chars:
I did it this way about 4 years ago, so I'm really hoping ProduKey works.
hyperslughyperslug12.2k44 gold badges3939 silver badges6161 bronze badges
This article might be useful: Find the Windows XP Product Key Code.
There is also this another link on a ViewKeyXP tool: Retrieve your XP Product Key.
(that second link has some other tool references too).
niknikThere is also this another link on a ViewKeyXP tool: Retrieve your XP Product Key.
(that second link has some other tool references too).
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protected by Community♦Jun 15 '18 at 11:55
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I want to change the product key of Windows XP SP3 machine. I found the below code, but I want in the way of a dialogue box asking for a new product key and replace the old one.
Ansgar Wiechers149k1515 gold badges140140 silver badges198198 bronze badges
user2365321user2365321
1 Answer
Replace the line
with this:
Note that you should add code for handling situations where the user clicked
Ansgar WiechersAnsgar WiechersCancel
or entered a malformed product key.149k1515 gold badges140140 silver badges198198 bronze badges