How to find old product key

akshayappu007

New Member
Messages
2
I have Win8 Pro.After adding Windows Media Centre using Add Feature,my Win8 product key changed.I need the old key to reinstall win8.How can i get that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Motherboard
    Generic
    Memory
    2*2GB Kingston 1333Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowercolorAMD Raedon HD 7750
    Browser
    Chrome
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    Windows Defender
If you run the upgrade advisor setup thing from your desktop - the key will probably pop up.

If you haven't still got it - just d/l the setup thing again from here :

Download Upgrade Assistant
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Motherboard
    Generic
    Memory
    2*2GB Kingston 1333Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowercolorAMD Raedon HD 7750
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
If your computer came with Win 8 preinstalled you don't need the key. It is inserted during install from the BIOS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
uffbros is spot on. It's hard coded right into your BIOS, when you install the OS, it won't even ask you for the key, it will simply find it and use it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
This vbs-script reads the product key from it's original position
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId
but is changed when WMC key is installed:
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")

ProductName = "Product Name: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductName") & vbNewLine
ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function

This vbs-script reads the product key from a backup position
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey\DigitalProductId
when WMC key is installed:
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")


ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
This vbs-script reads the product key from it's original position
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId
but is changed when WMC key is installed:
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")

ProductName = "Product Name: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductName") & vbNewLine
ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function

This vbs-script reads the product key from a backup position
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey\DigitalProductId
when WMC key is installed:
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")


ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function

Thanks for these! However, when testing them out I noticed when I run the one that reads from the backup position it gives me a key that doesn't appear to even work for a Windows 8 reinstall and it's not the original Windows 8 key that I used before WMC changed the key. It wouldn't be the Windows 7 key that I upgraded to Windows 8 from would it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Could be that there is a second backup key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2\DigitalProductId
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")


ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function
Otherwise check the key with "The Ultimate PID Checker"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Could be that there is a second backup key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2\DigitalProductId
Code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2\"
DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")


ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey

If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
   Save ProductID
End if

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
    i = 24
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        X = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            X = X -1
        Loop While X >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        Last = Cur
    Loop While i >= 0
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
        insert = "N"
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
    End If
    a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
    b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
    c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
    d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
    e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
    ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
End Function

Function Save(Data)
    Const ForWRITING = 2
    Const asASCII = 0
    Dim fso, f, fName, ts
    fName = "Windows Key.txt"
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    fso.CreateTextFile fName
    Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
    Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
    f.Writeline Data
    f.Close
End Function
Otherwise check the key with "The Ultimate PID Checker"

Well, sure enough there was another one there but it looks like that is also another unique Windows 8 Pro with Media Center Key...not the original Windows 8 Pro Key...how strange.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Belarc Advisor will tell you your product keys, including the original one and the Media Center key.

If the product key is stored in the BIOS, you can use RWEverything to retrieve it, as described HERE.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus V Gene
    Memory
    Corsair 4 x 4 GB 1,600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 670
    Sound Card
    RME HDSPe AIO
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM
    Screen Resolution
    2,560 x 1,440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 830 SSD 128 GB
    Hitachi 7K3000 2 TB
    PSU
    Seasonic X-760
    Case
    Silverstone TJ08-E
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 Special Edition
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M570
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps/3 Mbps cable
    Browser
    Opera 12.16
Belarc Advisor will tell you your product keys, including the original one and the Media Center key.

If the product key is stored in the BIOS, you can use RWEverything to retrieve it, as described HERE.

Has anyone been able to get Belarc to run fully with Windows 8? I tried it twice and each time it does the scan to 100% but then I see nothing and the app terminates.

If one has WMC and the key changed and overwrote the original Windows 8 Pro key does that mean that you have two legal licenses? One for Windows 8 Pro without WMC and one with?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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