Neeed to find my windows reg code?

Question

I had bought a computer off of some one and they gave me the windows disk but they could not find the case for it. I have to reinstall windows but i dont have the registration code. Is there any way i can aquire it off the computer b4 i delete windows off of it. If any one knows where to find it please get back t me A.S.A.P.

Thank in advance

Answer 1

Here is a small program that should give you the product keys for windows.

Answer 2

If it's Windows 98 or newer, the Authentication Code is encrypted in the registry. You won't be able to see it. For Windows 98, the piracy of it is so rampant you can find that reg code anywhere, largely since Microsoft cut off support for it.

For Windows 2000 and newer, being that they are under support protection from Microsoft, the EULA states that the original purchaser are the only people covered with the software key, and that at resale, the new user has no rights to the software (the EULA is not transferable) so unless the old user know the key, you'll have to reinstall windows using your own OS disk that you purchase.

And right now, until Fall 2006/Q1 2007, Windows XP is the only game in town. If the PC isn't a 300MHZ Pentium 2 class PC or if it has less than 128 MB of RAM, you've been had: basically you purchased an electric paperweight. Windows 2000 isn't sold anymore. If it is better than that baseline, you can get Windows XP for about $100, even if you don't have the reg key to the current windows on the hard drive ($199 for the Full Version if you wipe out the HDD).

Answer 3

If it is Windows 98 you can call the Microsoft customer service hotline & they can give you a generic one. They might tell you they cant at first but I have done it twice. I just explained to them the situation which was similar to yours...I cought a computer used but they didnt give me the disk. I did a restore & then realized I needed the key. I dont think you can do it iwith any newer versions of windows. The security is stricter with them.