Re: Locating Windows Application Installation Keys

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

Dennis,

I have been a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and one of the biggest
problems people have if their computers are old, is locating the software to
reinstall the Operating System and Application Programs. Most, not all are
legitimately unable to find them. Some are people whom other people have
installed illegal software on their PC. I have also been an OEM reseller
since 1998 and I know it's encrypted. I didn't ask for a legal or what
should. I asked if anyone knew where the keys could be located so that if a
reinstall is necessary and the keys can't be located, that the system can be
restored and used by a consumer. I'm not a hacker or cracker looking for free
software or keys, just the ability to help my clients, when they need it. A
lot of the time with older software, before Microsoft required the COA to be
affixed, people misplace things. I'm sure you don't do that at all, but thank
you for your input.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.


"Dennis" wrote:

If you have original software, you should have the key that you used to
re-install it. The reason the keys are encrypted is to prevent what you are
trying to do.
--
Dennis in Houston


"eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)" wrote:

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the registry,
so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is. The Windows Key
for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and decrypt it for
reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would save me time and
frustration of finding or attempting to find the keys. I also know some
programs people will know where the keys are, and others will not. I was also
wondering if there is a way to programmatically find any installation key, so
if it became necessary to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key,
I would be able to retrieve it from my program.


--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.


"rowe_newsgroups" wrote:

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're sure
it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and looking for
the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be something that
would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe


eSolTec wrote:
Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.


"rowe_newsgroups" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32.Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe


eSolTec wrote:
Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmatically retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmatically retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.




.

Relevant Pages

  • XP APIPA unsolved Mystery Till date ????
    ... Reinstall of the TCP/IP protocol to restore Winsock functionality ... Go to both of the following keys, export each of them, and then ... Click Protocol, then Add ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: What serial numbers do I need to keep with my software?
    ... Either way I hope you never have to reinstall ... > product key being asked for on a clean brand new installation. ... >> And as others have said, Dell didn't install the software with your keys, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: SP1
    ... Alex, thanks for yr response. ... And I will reinstall from this. ... > keys, with no payments going back to Microsoft. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: install wizard
    ... Not sure what you are talking about TS keys. ... The Canon wizard could not detect the printer. ... >>>installing or messing things up, delete the folder it exists under (the ... >>>and cause it to reinstall the proper information this time through. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: Outlook Deployment using GPO / MST
    ... installation wizard. ... delete their existing Outlook profile in order to fix minor corruption, ... Do i remove those keys after office is installed or before office is ... TYPICALINSTALLDESCRIPTION ...
    (microsoft.public.outlook.installation)