Solved Product key in control panel?

Computer0304

Member
Member
Messages
31
I was looking around in the control panel and I found the system section. It had a part in it that showed my product key. Is this my actual product key for reinstalling or is it an identifier? I do like it that I can find it on OEM PCs but I don't want people looking through my control panel for it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
What you are seeing is a "product ID" . That is NOT the product key for the OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    3.1ghz PhenomII
    Motherboard
    ECS Elitegroup A880GM
    Memory
    4gb ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD4250 (onboard)
    Hard Drives
    SSD for OS, HDD for data
Does this need to be kept secret? It is blacked out in turtorials with a screenshot of system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
Does this need to be kept secret? It is blacked out in tutorials with a screenshot of system.
Yes. Because each key is unique to the install or system. You can use Magic Jelly Bean to pull the key, or Belarc Advisor if needing keys for all installed software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Does this need to be kept secret? It is blacked out in turtorials with a screenshot of system.

Product ID: Not necessarily, it is mainly used to obtain/qualify for technical support from Microsoft.

Product Key: Yes, it is the license
for your version of Windows only, not to be shared with others.
(it couldn't be used by others while you're using it anyway but, that's besides the point!)

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Does this need to be kept secret? It is blacked out in turtorials with a screenshot of system.

Product ID: Not necessarily, it is mainly used to obtain/qualify for technical support from Microsoft.

Product Key: Yes, it is the license
for your version of Windows only, not to be shared with others.
(it couldn't be used by others while you're using it anyway but, that's besides the point!)

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html
How come PCs preinstalled with Win8 don't come with stickers with the key anymore?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
Good question. No idea why MS thought customers would like that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Does this need to be kept secret? It is blacked out in turtorials with a screenshot of system.

Product ID: Not necessarily, it is mainly used to obtain/qualify for technical support from Microsoft.

Product Key: Yes, it is the license
for your version of Windows only, not to be shared with others.
(it couldn't be used by others while you're using it anyway but, that's besides the point!)

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html
How come PCs preinstalled with Win8 don't come with stickers with the key anymore?
Because they wanted the bios to be the key. That was the whole reason going with UEFI. Of course with the correct tools. You can pull that info out of the bios.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Is that legal?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
Is that legal?

Yes.

You can do it with this vbs script.

View attachment ShowKey.vbs

EDIT--- If you try it, download it. Right click it & click Properties & Unblock it if needed. Then run it.
It will show your ID & installed Product Key.

screenshot_73.jpg
 

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
Bookmarked. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
A new version of the vbs written by Superfly that shows the OEM Product Key too:

EDIT--- for 8.1 not 8. Will post updated version soon. Superfly is working on it.

View attachment ShowKey1.1.vbs

Picture:

screenshot_74.jpg
 
Last edited:

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
OEM comes installed from the factory.

If you upgrade the computer, say from the factory installed Windows to another version, that is the new installed key.

8>8 Pro>8.1 Pro, etc.

The 8 is factory OEM. The others each have their own keys.
 

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

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
But if you have a retail version installed, would there be another key for that? My friend wants to know more about how it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
My computer came with Windows 8 Core. I upgrade to 8 Pro using the Pro Pack, then installed 8.1 and finally Update 1. ShowKeyv1.2.vbs yields this on my computer:

ShowKeyv1.2.jpg

Both keys are listed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

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
But if you have a retail version installed, would there be another key for that? My friend wants to know more about how it works.

Ran it on my desktop PC that doesn't have an embedded key and got a "Key not found" for the OEM key and my Media Center key listed for the Installed key.
Ran it on my laptop that does have an embedded key and got that listed for OEM key and my Media Center key listed for the installed key.
I did a clean install of 8.1 Pro on both PC's. The OEM key for my laptop was never used by Windows 8.1. If I hadn't added Media Center I'm sure my Retail TechNet 8.1 Pro key is what would be listed for Installed Key. Your only going to get those two keys listed OEM Key and Installed Key, if that's what your wondering.

EDIT: I just ran it on my wife's laptop. It read out its embedded key for the OEM Key and my TechNet 8.1 Pro Retail key for the Installed Key. A clean install of 8.1 Pro was done on this laptop also. I haven't got around to adding Media Center yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Back
Top