How to find your lost Windows Product Key

When you buy a new software, generally, it come with an alphanumeric code that you need to enter at time of installation of software. This code is used by software vendors in order to verify that your copy of software product is legal and original. This code is known as Product key. Microsoft windows Operating systems likewindows 7, windows 8 and Windows 8.1 also come with Product Key which is used to activate windows. Here is the syntax of the product key that comes with windows:

                    xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
           

In the actual product key, the crosses are replaced by numbers and alphabets.

Find Windows Product key:

Windows product key usually written on the cover in which Windows disc is packed up . If you got pre-installed windows in your laptop, then you can find it written at the bottom of laptop. In case of desktop PCs, product key can be found written somewhere on the CPU. But what if you lost or misplaced your product id? Do not worry. You can easily find your lost product key without any product key finder software. This works for Windows XP, Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 . You should know your product key as you need it when you are re-installing windows.

1 . Press Win key + R to launch Run in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 . For Windows XP, go to All Programs and Find Run. 
2. Type regedit in the box and click OK. A warning message will show up, clickYes. 

3. Windows Registry will open. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE>MICROSOFT>WINDOWS NT. 

4. Expand the Windows NT folder(by clicking the arrow in front of it) and selectCurrentVersion to see your Product ID. In the Right pane, look for ProductId. The code in front of this, separated by dashes is your Product ID. Make a note of it and keep it safe. You can copy it by double clicking on ProductId and copy the selected code.

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A simple way to search for text inside files in Windows 7

There are many software available that can find the product key but this mrthod requires no extra software.

Note: You are accessing your Windows Registry, any changes to which can make your system unstable and can produce unexpected result. So please do not make changes to any value.

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