How to Recover Windows Vista and XP Product Key if Forgotten or Lost

By Angsuman Chakraborty, Gaea News Network
Monday, December 29, 2008

Windows users are used to formatting and re-installing Windows Vista or Windows XP. But a genuine problem may arise if you lose or forget the product key you are given. Windows don’t actually save the key you enter in its crudest form. Its encrypted and hidden inside the registry and you can not hunt it down unless you know how. So you must be wondering, HOW? Here is how.

  1. First download Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder. Its a freeware open source utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install Windows from your registry. It allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping.
  2. Run the key finder program. Follow any instructions provided by the software.
  3. The numbers and letters displayed by the program represent the Windows Vista product key. The product key should be formatted like xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx - five sets of five letters and numbers.
  4. Write this key code down exactly as the program displays it to you for use when reinstalling Windows Vista.

So you got the lost or forgotten product key, right? Keep it safe.

Discussion

Austin
July 6, 2009: 2:09 am

Good information about how to recover XP Product Key if lost but If anyone lost his/her data then go for data recovery software.Few days ago I lost my data from system.I have used Stellar Phoenix Windows data recovery software.This software helps me to recover all my lost data.

April 26, 2009: 12:59 am

Partition recovery requires file system reconstruction just like standard file recovery software does. The best part is if a partition program works you don’t have to reinstall everything. Drive failure needs a service company.

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