Operating system on the computer activation code. How to find out the activation key installed on a Windows computer
Many people are prompted to read this material by a very standard and common situation: I once bought a laptop with a licensed Windows 7 or 8 operating system installed. certain time due to need Windows reinstallation or for any other reason, you need an activation key, which was indicated on the sticker that is located on the bottom of the laptop, but over the months and years of using the laptop, it has long worn out or completely peeled off. What should I do?
If your PC is running Windows with an activated license key, then “get” it from operating system won't be a big deal. If by icon My computer press right click and open Properties, then below we will only see code of product, and not the activation key itself. It is also important to distinguish between what you need to get - just the code that was indicated on a special sticker or the code for Windows 8, which is in the computer’s BIOS.
Screenshot of My Computer properties
For Win8 from BIOS using RWEverything
To extract OEM key licenses Windows 8 From the BIOS of a laptop or desktop computer, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with it - in it we looked at how to use a program to get a key for Win8 from a new type of BIOS: UEFI. This method is also relevant for those who are trying to recover the key if, instead of licensed Windows 8 "from the store" another OS was installed.
Screenshot of the RWEverything program
Windows activation key in AIDA64
If you need an activation key for an installed and running system, you can use the program we are already familiar with to full diagnostics PC - - go over, get acquainted, download and install. Then run the program and open the tab operating system. In chapter License information in field Product Key and the required Windows activation code will be indicated.
Screenshot of the AIDA64 program
In AIDA64, as in RWEverything, you can see the key hardcoded into the BIOS. To do this, go to the tab Motherboard , then ACPI. In chapter Description of the table we'll find MSDM and in the field SLS Data The 25-character Windows activation code we need will be written.
AIDA64 screen
Finding an activation key via KeyFinder
A simple utility from Magical Jelly Bean. This small program It doesn’t take up much space and provides only the bare minimum of information, but that’s exactly what we need. You can download KeyFinder from here (the official website of the developers), it is available in two versions - the free one is enough for us. Download, install, launch. In the left window, select the software for which you need to find out the activation key - in in this case We are interested in Windows 7 Home Premium. CD Key and there is the required code.
Screenshot of KeyFinder
Instead of a conclusion
This list could be continued endlessly, since there are at least a dozen more popular utilities for solving the same problem, but I believe that the set provided will be enough for you. Found on the Internet and various scripts that use VBScript or PowerShell to extract keys without installation unnecessary programs. Everyone chooses the method that is more convenient for them.
Computer owners often encounter a situation where they need to find out the activation key for their operating system. And in most cases this is quite simple to do: desktop computer or a sticker is placed on the laptop on which it is indicated. But what to do if this sticker gets worn or even comes off? The answer is simple - “pull it out” license key from the operating system itself.
Viewing the key on Windows 7
, then first of all turn your attention to programs for completely diagnosing your computer. Using them is the easiest way to find out the activation key. One of these programs is the well-known AIDA 64. In order to view the activation code in it, you need to go to the “Operating System” tab. There will be a “License Information” section where the product key will be written.
Another way to view the key Windows activation, is to use the KeyFinder utility. It allows you to find keys for almost all installed software products and from the operating system itself. You will only need to install, launch it and select from the list provided the software whose activation code you want to know.
In general, there are still a lot of programs that allow you to find out the Windows 7 activation key. If you have minimal programming knowledge, you can do without it altogether by writing and running a script that works with PowerShell or VBScript.
Entering an activation key in Windows 7
Many users are afraid to reinstall the operating system because they do not know where to enter the Windows 7 key and when to do it. But in reality there is nothing complicated about this process. At clean install Windows activation key must be entered during system setup. After creation account A screen will appear in front of you asking you to enter a 25-character product key. Then, after entering it, the system will require you to go through the activation procedure.
An already installed operating system must be activated within 30 days after installation. This can be done through the properties of “My Computer”. In the window for viewing basic information, at the bottom there is a column “Windows activation”.
There you need to click on the “Change product key” item and enter the license you know windows code 7. After this, the system will automatically begin activating the key via the Internet.
Script to extract Windows 7 key
The point is that the key is stored in Windows registry, but in encrypted binary format. This key cannot be used.
You can easily create a simple VBScript that will read values from the registry and then translate it into the format you need for reinstallation.
Copy and paste next text in notepad:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))
Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i<>-1)Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function
When saving the file, give it the vbs extension:
Now run the resulting file double click mice:
The script will show a window containing your key.
Many people cannot do this and do not understand where this very code went when it suddenly became in demand. The sticker on the computer had worn out over time, and they forgot to write it down. What to do?
Product key (license key) is 25 characters that are entered when purchasing any product from Microsoft or other software. This is what makes our Windows 10 or any other completely legal, and not pirated, like most OSes used in Russia. Therefore, it is especially important not to lose it. But Microsoft, for inexplicable reasons, made it so that it cannot be found on the computer. Therefore, when in demand, many do not know how to find out the key for installed Windows 10, 8, 7.
There are a lot of cases where people lose their product license key. In addition, there are situations when we don’t even recognize him. For example, when purchasing a new computer and subsequently upgrading to an older OS: from Windows 8 to Windows 10.
There is a fairly easy method that is recommended by many, plus it does not require installing any utilities on the computer. But it is suitable only for those who are looking for how to find out the product key of installed Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.
To do this you need to run a special script:
- Create a new one Text Document("Notebook")
- Paste the script text:
[[[Script text in attachment]]] – paste with quotation
- Click “Save As”.
- We set any file name, but at the end we write “.vbs”.
- Select the file type “All files” and click “Save”.
Now, when you click on the file, a window will open where you will see the Windows key 7, 8, or 8.1. It is worth noting that sometimes this method may work for a Windows 10 product.
In addition to this script, there are several more that serve the same purpose. But you will have to tinker with them longer: use command line, various other utility utilities on the computer. Despite the fact that the result comes out the same. Therefore, we present only one for you.
For those for whom this method did not work, read the article further.
Methods using third-party programs
Apparently, many people have asked the question of finding a key, so on the Internet you can now find quite a few different utilities that offer to display the codes of many programs, including operating systems. As a rule, they are all free and weigh from several kilobytes to several megabytes, but they cope with the task quite well. The following are several examples of utilities that can be used for this purpose.
ProduKey window
Using this program, you can find lost license codes for Windows 10 or any other Windows, as well as for a number of paid software.
All you need to do is download the utility from the official website, unzip it, and run it. Next you will see your Windows key.
In addition, ProduKey also shows the productkeys of the following software:
- Microsoft Office
- Exchange Server
- SQL Server
Another utility with a rather self-explanatory name, which also allows you to find out the product key of Windows 10 or any other Windows.
To do this, we just need to download it (the program is free) and run it. All the necessary information will immediately appear in the window that opens.
A good program that is one of the options when looking for ways to find out the Windows 7 or XP key. It displays the product numbers of the OS itself and Office. It's quite easy to use. It is distributed free of charge, so we just download it and then run it. You will immediately see the required character sets.
In addition to these utilities, there are an unlimited number of utilities, but, in fact, in order to find out your productkey of installed Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10, one of the above is enough.
Last 5 characters
Finally, you can note that you can view the last five characters of the product number without tricky manipulations. You just need to call the command line (Win+R), and then enter the following into it: “slmgr.vbs /dlv”. Then a window will appear with several lines, in one of which the last part will be written license code"Windows" 10 or some other.
Now you can easily restore your Productkey if it was suddenly lost.
Hello dear readers.
Today you can often buy a device with software already installed. And sometimes sellers of such equipment claim that an original product is installed on it, demanding additional money for this. Therefore, many people want to know how to check their Windows license so as not to be deceived. Later in the article I will tell you several ways to achieve your plan.
general information
Everyone today has the opportunity to buy a licensed Windows 10 OS or any other version offered by the IT giant for their computer. However, previously it was possible to do this only in official stores. On this moment A variety of resellers sell original software. Despite their status, even in such places there are sometimes products that require special attention buyers, because for a lot of money you can buy a simple pirated version. The following are the main points that help convince you that you are being offered a truly normal product.
Sticker
The first, easiest way Windows checks 7 and younger versions are inspected for the presence of a special sticker. If the seller states that the original software is installed on the computer, it means on the laptop (usually on the bottom cover) or on system unit relevant information must be available. This is what indicates the use of a legal program and not a pirated one.
The laminated paper indicates the key, version and assembly.
Portable device
If you intend to buy a new operating system separately, there should be no problems with verification at all. Windows 8.1 and other versions are offered on portable devices - plastic disks and flash drives. On legal versions, on the box you can find all the data mentioned at the end of the last heading. In general, the sticker indicates the same thing, only appearance a bit different.
In addition, the manufacturer applies a lot of holographic icons. This can be seen not only on the box, but also on the portable memory itself. On flash drives, the corresponding drawings are on the covers. They can be found in different places on disc packages. In addition, Microsoft designers have provided protection for the plastic memory itself.
Check by key
Sometimes some become victims of scammers who themselves print the relevant elements confirming authenticity. To avoid falling into the trap, there is a simple way to check.
So, future users need to turn on the device and on the “ Computer» call « Properties" A window will open where the necessary data will be indicated. This is where you need to check the product code. If everything matches, the license is installed.
Otherwise, in place of the letters and numbers there will be an inscription about failed activation.
In addition, the service life of the key installed in the system is indicated here. If this is not the case, the remaining time for entering characters is written. Usually this is given a month. Afterwards, messages begin to appear indicating that you need to undergo the appropriate procedure.
At the same time, some services may cease to perform their functions.
Website
Another way to verify the authenticity of the operating system is to go to the manufacturer’s website. More precisely, you need to enter the appropriate combination of characters in the appropriate line on the web resource.
Important! This cannot be done for Windows XP, Windows Vista and version seven, since developer support is already closed for them.
Pirate build
To identify non-original software, you can use several methods. So, first, go to computer properties. If nothing is indicated in the activation clause, most likely a low-quality product is being used. But usually there is always some kind of inscription here.
Many Win Mobile users dream of checking their device to be sure that they are using the original image.
It is worth noting that today Cell phones with this operating system are released only by Microsoft partner companies, and therefore only genuine software is used on them.
Command line
One more in a convenient way checking system activation is by writing a special combination of characters via the command line. To do this, go to " Start" and in the search bar specify " cmd" The corresponding icon will appear. Call the context menu on it and open it with administrator rights.
A black window will appear in front of users. You need to enter the command in it: “ clmgr /xpr" Next, the operating system will display a message corresponding to the activation status.
If this does not help, you need to indicate in the line: “ cscript slmgr.vbs -xpr" The result should be the same.
In general, all methods are free and legal, so you can safely use one of them or even all of them at once.
I hope you will be able to implement your plans without problems.
To activate the operating room Windows systems a special product license key is used. Key Windows product, designed to activate the system, differs depending on the version of the operating system (Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc.), OS edition (Home, Pro, etc.), distribution method (OEM, Retail, etc.). d).
To activate the Windows operating system, use a product key consisting of 25 characters in the form of numbers and capitals (upper case) English letters, divided into 5 groups of 5 characters: “XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX”.
Laptops used to often have a Windows activation key stuck to it. Currently, laptop manufacturers with pre-installed operating systems embed the product key into the BIOS to automatic activation Windows.
If the system is reinstalled, or for some other reason (for example, activation failed after a hardware failure), the user may need a Windows product key. How to find out your Windows activation key?
You can find out the license key of installed Windows by running a special VBS script, as well as using five programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW. All listed programs are free, except AIDA64 and SIW.
Script with ".vbs" extension and portable free programs(ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit) can be downloaded from here. Download the rest of the programs to your computer from the official websites of the manufacturers.
Using these methods you can find out Windows key 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10. Once you have found out the Windows product key, save the data for later use, in case of reinstalling the operating system, to activate the operating system.
The free ProduKey program from the well-known manufacturer NirSoft does not require installation on your computer. The application shows keys to Windows OS and browser Internet Explorer,Microsoft Office.
Unpack the archive with the program, and then run the “Application” file from the folder. After launch, the ProduKey utility window will display the key for the installed operating system.
Select the entry with the key Windows 10, or another operating system, and then in context menu Select "Copy Product Key" to copy the activation key to the clipboard.
The free ShowKeyPlus program does not require installation on your computer. After launch, in the application window you will see the following information:
- Product Name - the operating system currently installed on the computer
- Product ID - product code
- Installed Key - the key of the operating system currently installed on the computer
- OEM Key - key sewn into Laptop BIOS originally installed operating system
To save the data, click on the “Save” button, and then save the received information in a text format file.
The free program Free PC Audit will help you find out the key installed Windows. This program does not require installation on your computer. Run the utility file, after which a window will open Free programs PC Audit, which will begin scanning the system.
After the scan is completed, in the “System” tab, opposite the “Windows product key” item, you will see the product key of the installed Windows operating system.
To copy the key, select the line with the license key, and then using the “Copy” context menu item, or using the “Ctrl” + “C” keys, copy the Windows product key from the utility window.
How to find out Windows 8 key using VBScrit
Activation keys for the Windows operating system are stored on the hard drive in encrypted form. Executing the VBScrit script will allow you to obtain the product key of the installed operating system in decrypted form. This script was developed for the Windows 8 operating system, but this code also works fine in the Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 operating systems.
To perform the operation, double-click on the “WindowsKey.vbs” file. In the window that opens, you will see the Windows activation code. Next, click on the “OK” button.
The next window will display information about the operating system version, product ID and product key number. Ignore the title of the entry "Windows 8 Key". The name of this OS will be displayed on any version of the Windows operating system.
Free Speccy program from famous company Piriform, maker of CCleaner and other software. You can download a portable one from the official website Speccy version. Exists paid version programs with advanced capabilities.
The program provides the user detailed information about hardware computer, you can also use the application to find out the license key of the installed Windows.
Launch the Speccy program, in the “Operating system” section the version of the installed operating system will be displayed, its serial number(activation key).
AIDA64 - powerful program to obtain all kinds of information about computer software and hardware.
After launching the AIDA64 program, license information, including the Windows product key, will be displayed in the “Menu” tab, in the “Operating System” section.
Select the product key, select “Copy” in the context menu, then paste the key into Notepad or another similar program to save.
S.I.W.
SIW (System Information of Windows) is a program for obtaining information about the hardware status and software computer.
After launching SIW, go to the “Programs”, “Licenses” section. Information about the product key used in the Windows operating system installed on the computer will be displayed here.
Incorrect product key
When checking keys using the methods listed above, the Windows product key may appear as follows: “BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB”.
This means that your computer is activated with a corporate MAK or VLK key. Operating Windows does not save such keys, so programs do not see them.
Used in Windows 10 new method System authentication (not available in all cases on Windows 10). The activation record is stored on Microsoft servers and is not visible on your computer. After reinstallation, Windows activates itself for some time.
Maintaining the license depends on changing the computer hardware configuration. In case of replacement motherboard, Microsoft activation servers revoke the license for of this computer. Windows OS will offer to purchase new key product.
Conclusion
If necessary, the user can find out the Windows operating system license code by running the VBS script, or using specialized programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW.